Frequently asked questions

As a volunteer, you will respond to emergency calls, participate in training exercises, and attend other department events. Members may join as firefighting, EMS, or firefighting/EMS members. 

To be an active member, you must attend at least 20% of the calls we receive. Additionally, you must attend a certain amount of monthly company meetings and training exercises.

Completing shifts at the firehouse is not required. However, members do have the option to complete standbys in which a complete crew remains at the station for four or more hours. In some instances (such as in the case of a natural disaster or bad weather), our line officers place into effect an “in-house” standby which members proactively remain in quarters to respond to any emergency for which the department is called.

While our members maintain busy schedules, they have found that with determination and excellent time management, meeting the many requirements of membership can be achieved!  That said, the transition to becoming a member at Roslyn Rescue can be difficult, but the membership is always willing to help you adjust if you are willing to put in the time!

You will take comfort in knowing that members have completed their initial training requirements while working in professional positions (or studying as part of a degree program) requiring a significant time commitment. Many of the classes for becoming a firefighter or EMT either take place over the weekends, or at night. This allows for the flexibility of attending classes while meeting your other various obligations.

The department hosts monthly training exercises which are designed to keep the membership’s skills sharp. Additionally, there are various optional courses that members of the fire department may attend. Some trainings may have various prerequisites.

To become an EMT (EMT-B), you must take a course that typically lasts about 6 months. However, you can still ride the ambulance during this time as an observer to familiarize yourself with the nature of EMS operations. Upon becoming an EMT, the department requires volunteers to complete a credentialing process in which the individual undergoing credentialing acts as the lead EMT on a number of supervised calls. Our credentialing process also requires individuals complete a rigorous written examination.

Members are required to complete a series of rigorous yet achievable classes offered at no cost by the Nassau County Fire Service Academy (FSA). The FSA is one of the leading fire service academies in the nation with instruction from an experienced team of emergency personnel. The training can be completed in under a year; however, such an expedited timeline is dependent on many factors which include enrollment availability and course scheduling frequency. While in the academy, volunteers are still permitted to respond to calls and ride emergency vehicles under the supervision of senior officers.

To become a Class A (interior) Firefighter, you must complete a few courses. The first course teaches you the essentials of firefighting. You will then take a practical skills course that will teach you how to become a firefighter. At any point during or after these two courses, you must also take our in-house classes on bailout (techniques for escaping a building when you are stuck above the first floor) and SCBA (the air tanks we use). Members who are not EMTs will be required to undergo basic medical training as well. Lastly, all members are required to take a specialized HazMat operations course. These requirements are stringent but necessary to ensure everyone’s safety while allowing our team to operate in the most efficient way possible.

To join Roslyn Rescue, you must be at least 17 years old (with parental consent), complete an application, and undergo an investigation by the investigation committee. The committee will then interview you and you will have a background check completed. If you are found favorable by the committee, you will be invited to a monthly company meeting where there will be a vote held on whether or not you will become a member. Only applicants who receive a favorable vote shall be elected to the position of probationary member.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. The Rescue Hook & Ladder Company #1 of Roslyn, NY (“Roslyn Rescue”) does not discriminate against any applicant, member, or employee on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law. It is the policy of Roslyn Rescue to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.Provided an applicant has met  the minimum requirements, in the instance that a member’s application has been recommended by the company ti proceed through its normal course, an applicant may, pending a favorable voting outcome, be elected to membership. Such elections are held at regular company meetings (on a monthly basis with the exception of the month of November). The investigation committee will issue a recommendation to the membership made on the basis of its investigation of the applicant after which a vote (held by secret ballot) shall commence. Only applicants who receive a favorable vote shall be elected to the position of probationary member.

Our fire engines and trucks respond to car accidents for a few reasons. Sometimes during a car accident, the metal of a car bends in ways that make it impossible for the EMTs to remove a patient from the car. Our apparatus has tools that allow the firefighters to bend the metal, and make an opening through which our EMTs can safely extricate the patient.

We use our lights when backing into the station as a signal to other drivers to keep their distance. The trucks are very large and sometimes require maneuvering to correctly back into the station.

All applicants must be at least seventeen (17) years old to apply. Applicants under the age of eighteen (18) require written consent from a parent or guardian. If an applicant is at least seventeen (17) years old but under the age of eighteen (18), their application will be placed ON HOLD unless and until we receive such consent AND such consent is appropriately verified to our satisfaction. You must be at least 18 years old to become an EMT in the state of New York.

A house fire could burn as hot as 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit!

No, you do not need any kind of specialized training to join the fire department. However, you must hold a CPR certification before you are allowed to ride on the ambulance as a medical observer. If this of interest, we will arrange for CPR/AED (BLS) certification at no cost to the member. 

Yes, applicants will undergo a background check by the investigation committee.The background investigation may include but is not limited to the following reviews: criminal record, driving record, current and previous employment history and references. Roslyn Rescue maintains a fair and equitable background investigation process. As such, there are very few automatic bases for rejection. Even issues of prior misconduct, are usually not, in and of themselves, automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements or omissions can and often will result in an application being rejected, regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatements/omissions. In fact, the number one reason individuals “fail” background investigations is because they deliberately withhold or misrepresent relevant, material information.

Members, during the performance of their duties, find themselves in many situations where optimal health and fitness may prevent them or someone else from being injured.

Our department is unique in that members can volunteer as a fire-only member, EMS-only member, or fire/EMS member. 

Yes, you can switch between fire-only and EMS-only at any point. If you so choose, you can also decide to do both firefighting and EMS after joining.

If you hold an EMT certification from another jurisdiction where there is a reciprocity program, we can assist in transferring the certification to our jurisdiction. As a firefighter, you will still have to go through training at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy (FSA). 

As a volunteer, you will respond to emergency calls, participate in training exercises, and attend other department events. Members may join as firefighting, EMS, or firefighting/EMS members.

Yes, use of lights in personal vehicles is a privilege (not a right) given to volunteer first responders and such use is strictly regulated by NYS law. The light must have a blue lens. Personally-owned vehicles may only possess one blue light and must be visible from the front of the vehicle. Blue lights may only be engaged by volunteers when responding to an emergency operation.

While we uphold a culture of safety and candor, given the circumstances, firefighting and work as an EMT carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. The specific risks vary from one activity to another, but it goes without saying that such activities can cause significant physical and/or psychological injury, sometimes critically or fatally. Even knowing these risks, a group of dedicated volunteers place their lives on the line to help in an emergency. 

Of course! We greatly appreciate any donations to support our organization. 

There is no significant difference between the two departments. We work together in partnership for the betterment of our community! The Roslyn Fire District is very large, so both departments respond to the same calls. Members of both departments undergo the same rigorous training. Roslyn Rescue and Roslyn Highlands both play an important part in keeping the Roslyn community safe!