04.18.2011
Congratulations
On April 13, 2011, the following were sworn to their newly appointed ranks: Stephen Mills to Battalion Chief, Michael Mullen to Captain and Gregory Rogers to Lieutenant.

04.11.2011
Swearing In and Recognition
This week BC Mills, Capt Mullen and Lieut Rogers will be sworn to their newly appointed positions. In addition, those making the rescue of a man trapped in a house fire on Rye Rd will be recognized. Following the events, the Board of Fire Commissioners will conduct their monthly meeting.
If You Go... Date: Wed April 13th, Time: 6:30 pm, Where: Headquarters

04.10.2011
Chief Phillips - A Note of thanks!
As many of you know, on February 22nd I was stricken with an injury that resulted in substantial loss of movement of my right side.  For the past five weeks I have been subjected to extensive physical and occupational therapy to regain full use of my arm and leg. I am happy to report that I have regained use of my arm and I am walking again, although I am still restricted by my right ankle.  Because this was an injury, my doctors are certain that I will make a 100% recovery.  I would like to thank those who took the time to visit me in the hospital, those who called to check on me and to those who sent me flowers, fruit pieces and cards. I truly do believe that the demonstration of support shown to me and my family made this very difficult situation a little easier to endure.  As of this update, I am continuing with physical therapy, I am back to work on a light duty basis and I am back driving.  Again, on behalf of my family and myself, thank you for your support and encouragement. 

02.28.2011
Chief Phillips
Last week, Chief Phillips was taken to Strong Hospital and learned of an arterial blood clot. The clot caused some temporary loss of sensitivity in his right side. For the next few weeks, the chief will be undergoing extensive rehab at Strong. He is expected to make a full recovery.

02.04.2011
AFG AWARD
In December 2010, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the RRFD an Assistance to Firefighers' Grant (AFG) in the amount of $63.810.00 for equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). More about AFG

Previous awards:
AFG 2004     $98,127
AFG 2005     $66,690
SAFER 2007 $421,700
AFG 2008     $77,241
AFG 2009     $158,267
AFG 2010     $63,810

Details about AFG  Details of the award and approved equipment, contact the Fire Chief

02.04.2011
NYS SENATE AWARD
In December 2010, Senator Joseph Robach awarded the RRFD an a grant in the amount of $8,000.00 to upgrade computer equipment.

Details of the award, contact the Fire Chief

08.19.2010
Boat
RRFD replaces and launched it's aluminum boat with an inflatable type that provides a safer and more maneuverable means of navigating the canal and static water sources in the district.

07.29.2010
Mobile Data
RRFD becomes the first FD in the Monroe County to install Mobile Data Terminals (MDT's) in response units providing 911 incident info and network access to servers. This access places real-time pre-incident info directly in the hands of Incident Command (IC). RRFD techies are already looking to Virtual Machines (VM) running on iPads to eliminate excessive bulky hardware and allow portability for IC and field data entry.

04.02.2010
CHIEF'S DESK
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo came to town to say he was expanding the Pension Abuse probe. He announced that he was adding the City of Rochester, the Ridge Road Fire District and two additional districts in Monroe County. The accusation is that the district allows for the “padding” of a retiree’s pension by allowing the individual to inflate his pay by working excessive overtime.  The Ridge Road Fire District, does not subscribe nor support this practice.

The District, busiest in Monroe County, has a staff of sixty full time personnel, a combination of officers, firefighters and civilians. During an officer’s or firefighter’s tenure with us they are provided training that is second to none in the state. The retirement system the District was enrolled in prior to 2004 essentially encouraged those who we had a significant investment in to retire with just twenty years on the job. Not wanting to continue losing valued, well trained firefighters, the District upgraded our State retirement plan that provided an incentive to remain with the District for a considerably longer period of time.  Even with this plan, people still do retire and in recent years, those retiring have held the rank of Battalion Chief and had in excess of twenty-five years with the District.  Their retirement is based upon their annual salary for the final three years and may include some additional compensatory time but there is no padding of hours for any employee. In addition, unlike any other district’s I am familiar with, we are the only one that has a budgetary limit on the amount of overtime available during the year. Another point is that the employee is limited on the number of vacation and compensatory time hours which can be cashed out at the time of retirement. The district pays for the unused time in a separate check so as to not contribute to inflating the individual’s pension.

Contrary to the opinion of the Attorney General, it is legal for an individual to inflate his/her hours by up to ten percent in any given year, even if those years happen to fall into his/her final three years.  I can assure you that none of those who have retired from the District in the past have inflated their pension by working excessive amounts of overtime.

Admittedly the State Retirement System may need reform but it is the pension system that the State requires us to contribute more than 17% of our payroll budget each year. As Chief, I can assure you that we are not padding an individual’s pension and welcome the opportunity to provide the information the Attorney General has requested.

04.03.2010
Chief Responds To Cuomo
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo came to town to say he was expanding the Pension Abuse probe. He announced that he was adding the City of Rochester, the Ridge Road Fire District and two additional districts in the County... more

03.18.2010
RRFD Awarded Grant
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the RRFD an Assistance to Firefighers' Grant (AFG)  in the amount of $158,267.00 + a required district contribution bringing the total to $175,852.00. The grant will be used to upgrade Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), purchase ten sets of turnout gear and fund the installation of fire protection systems in two fire stations. More about AFG

03.08.2010
"Hey Boy"
An expression heard often from Retired Battalion Chief Robert Barton, followed with a harsh directive-- and his unmistakable short laugh. Bob passed away on March 4, 2010 after a long illness. Please keep Bob and his entire family in your thoughts and prayers.

03.08.2010
AMANDA'S LAW
As the result of recent legislation, Amanda’s Law will go into effect on February 22, 2010.  Essentially, all residences, both new and existing, are required to have carbon monoxide alarms installed... more

02.15.2010
Welcome Recruits
RRFD welcomes Firefighters; John Farrell, Jason Schwan and Samuel Dupra. They will begin their basic training at the NYS Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls on March 1st.

01.22.2010
NIMS
Congratulations to Battalion Chief James Cary and Captain Stephen Roethel for successfully completing the CCDMMAI course at the FETC, Emmitsburg, MD

01.14.2010
Promotions
Congratulations to James Cary, promoted to Battalion Chief and Thomas Kirchoff, promoted to Captain.

12.15.2009
Congratulations!
Charles Richardson for his successful reelection to the Board of Fire Commissioners beginning his 7th term. Commissioner Richardson has served the Ridge Road community in this capacity for 30 years.

01.01.2010
RRFD + 911
We anticipate our second year with the Monroe County Emergency Communications Department (ECD) to be as productive and cooperative  as our first. We extend our hand in appreciation to all of the dispatchers, supervisors, administrators and technicians for their continued service.

01.16.09
AFG AWARD
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the RRFD an Assistance to Firefighers' Grant (AFG)  in the amount of $158,267.00 for personal protective equipment (PPE) and facility modifications. More about AFG

RRFD was awarded $88,045.00 in 2008.

Details about AFG
Details of the award and approved equipment, contact the Fire Chief

10.25.08
SAFER
RRFD received a Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant in the amount of $421,700.00. The Grant was presented by Congressman Tom Reynolds.

The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by NFPA and OSHA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720 and OSHA 1910.134.

06.30.07
RIDGEWAY STATION OPEN
Located along the Ridgeway Avenue corridor between Route 390 and Long Pond Road, the NEW Ridgeway Station is now OPEN and manned 24/7. Ridgeway Avenue is also a major road to the western and most remote portions of the fire district. With the direct accessibility to this route, our response and service to the growing residential communities in this area is greatly enhanced.

RRFD celebrated the grand opening of this new fire station on June 29th. Home to Engine 254 and Quint 250, Ridgeway Station will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the community. We invite you to stop by and take a personal tour of the facility and learn more about the services we provide.

06/21/2006
FIREFIGHTERS GRADUATE
5 FIREFIGHTERS GRADUATE from the Utica Fire Academy and are now Certified to Firefighter I & II

04/01/2006
APPOINTMENTS - LIEUTENANT
- Daniel Chapman

02/16/2006
APPOINTMENTS - FIREFIGHTER (updated)