Lawrence Cohen of Rockland County Appointed Part-time Fire Chief in Village of Pelham

 

Lawrence Cohen of Rockland County Appointed Part-time Fire Chief in Village of Pelham

Lawrence M. Cohen, a retired New York City professional firefighter, was appointed to the position of Fire Chief in the Village of Pelham Tuesday night by the Village Board. The vote was unanimous, 6-0 (with one trustee absent).

A resident of Suffern in Rockland County, Mr. Cohen had 15 years experience with the NYFD, including service as a lieutenant during his last year, from 2005-2006, before retirement.

For the past 10 years, he has also operated a firefighting training company, Fire Ground Technologies, which conducts training programs in New York state and in New Jersey.

Village Trustee Greg Breskin, in recommending the appointment, said Mr. Cohen is “extremely well qualified.” Mr. Cohen’s annual salary will be $55,000 for a probationary period of one year, effective Dec. 16.

Before making the appointment, the Village Board adopted by a vote of 4-0 (with two abstentions ) to change a local law to say that “officers” of the Village must be residents of New York State. Previously, the code said residency had to be in the Village of Pelham or Westchester County.

Trustee Breskin said that even though the Board had received legal advice that the Village code applies to “officers” who are appointed to various Village Boards and not to “hirees,” it was recommended that the law be changed. He said a police chief or fire chief, police officer or firefighter is an employee, not an appointee.

When challenged by a resident who objected to the distance a fire chief from Rockland County would have to travel to respond to a Pelham Village fire, Trustee Breskin said that while the Board might prefer to hire someone living close to Pelham, residency was only one of the factors considered in making the appointment. He also praised the expertise of lieutenants and firefighters who would be on duty in such a case.

The two trustees who abstained were Trustee Mia Homan, who said she thought the change was not necessary and Trustee Geoff Lewis who said he preferred a residency defined by geographical radius rather than the entire state.

Fire Chief Cohen succeeds acting Chief Julian Keiser, a lieutenant on the paid force who was temporarily appointed to the position following the resignation of Chief Curtis Taylor effective on Oct. 30. Trustee Breskin commended Lt. Keiser for his service as temporary chief during a period that included a major fire at two garages as well as the Colonial School construction accident. 

This is part of the December 18, 2009 online edition of The Pelham Weekly.

Contact Information

Fire Department:  (914) 738-2601 or E-Mail info@pelhamgov.com
Emergencies Only:  (914) 738-2600 or DIAL 911

About...

The Fire Department provides emergency fire, rescue and hazardous condition stabilization services for the Village residents and businesses.

The protection of life and property is accomplished by creating and maintaining safety in the community, reducing the hazard or risk of fire through fire prevention strategies, plans, inspections, identifying problem areas and providing related services.

The Fire Department’s Divisions are as follows:

  • Fire Administration

  • Fire Suppression

  • Fire Training

Administration provides for the overall management of the department, equipment procurement, fire safety inspections, fire prevention activities and record keeping. 

Suppression operates two engines, one ladder truck, and an EMS/Rescue vehicle and responds to emergency calls for service.  Most career firefighters are certified EMT-D, who provide first-responder basic life support for all types of medical emergencies.  In 2006, the Board of Trustees authorized the promotion of 3 Career Firefighters to the rank of Lieutenant.  The Fire Department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with 3 on-duty career Firefighters and/or Lieutenants, most of whom are EMT certified.  The Career Staff is supplemented by 35 volunteer firefighters who are certified for interior firefighting.

Training serves to ensure the career and volunteer firefighters are cognizant of current New York State and Federal Standards of performance, and to maintain the necessary skills to meet those criteria.  The average response time for the Fire Department responding to an emergency is approximately 3.5 minutes.  This excellent response time, along with other factors, has helped the Village of Pelham Fire Department keep our community’s losses to a minimum, and our insurance rating level to an excellent standard.

Fire Chief Lawrence Cohen heads the Pelham Fire Department.                                                

Lieutenants: Julian Keiser, James DiNapoli, Kevin Brennan, Chris McCann

The PFD is a combination paid and volunteer department. There are three companies of volunteer firefighters, which have served since the Village’s inception. The Village is always looking for new volunteers willing to serve in protecting the lives and property of the Pelham community.

In addition, the department includes the following Career Firefighters:

* Lawrence Cohen - Fire Chief -Firefighter Peter Reynolds  
- Julian Keiser - Lt. and Fire Inspector  - Firefighter  Michael Leak
- James DiNapoli - Lt. and Training Officer - Firefighter  Albert Bucaj
- Kevin Brennan - Lt. and Safety Officer - Firefighter  Vincent D'Onofrio
- Chris McCann - Fire Lieutenant   - Firefighter  Arthur Viggiano
- Firefighter Robert Benkwitt -                   Fire Prevention Officer -Firefighter Robert DeStasio
- Firefighter Paul Valente - Firefighter  John Viggiano
- Firefighter  Antonio Marciano