FAQs

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.

Any inspections are done through Nassau County. Roslyn Rescue is not directly involved in inspections. Please click here for more information

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. 

In the event of an emergency, whether it is fire-related, police-related, or a medical emergency, you should immediately call 911 and explain the nature of the call. The 911 dispatcher will determine the proper course of action and call for the appropriate response to the emergency location.

Generally, an ABC (multipurpose) fire extinguisher is the best kind of fire extinguisher for your home. The rating on the extinguisher should be at least 2A-10B-C. This type of extinguisher is ideal because it can combat most kinds of fires commonly found in homes. Please note that such is to be construed as GENERAL advice, your specific needs may vary.

If you smell an odor of gas in your home, please evacuate immediately and call 911. Ensure that all of the occupants of the home make it out safely and gather at a pre-designated location.

Proper maintenance and venting all fuel burning appliances is crucial. Examples are your furnace, hot water heater, dryers, and fireplaces. Never leave a car running in attached garages even with the garage door open. Furthermore, never run gas power tools or engines indoors. Please click here for more information.

If your carbon monoxide (CO) detector sounds, you should immediately vacate your home and call 911 (unless your alarm is already wired to do so). The fire department will come and clear the house of any CO. 

You should have at least one smoke detector in each bedroom, the hallway, in the sleeping area, and at the top of all stairways. Smoke rises, so the best place to install a detector is on the ceiling or high on an inside wall approximately 6-8 inches below the ceiling. However, do not install a smoke detector within three feet of any device that might blow the smoke away. The chirping sound from the smoke alarm means that the battery is low and needs to be changed.

Firefighters break out windows and cut holes in roofs during a fire to allow for their safety and visibility. This allows firefighters to get inside the building safely to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduces the chances of a possible backdraft explosion. When the smoke is cleared out, it allows our firefighters to make their way to any possible victims so they can safely evacuate them from the premises.

A fire truck and fire engine have different functions at the scene of a fire. The function of an engine is to take water from hydrants near the fire and pump it to the hoses. The firefighters on a truck are tasked with entering the burning building to find anyone who may be trapped inside.

Even though there may not be traffic, the lights and sirens allow the driver of the fire truck/ambulance to go above the speed limit as well as go against the flow of traffic (only when necessary) in order to get to an emergency.

We send multiple emergency vehicles (ambulances and fire trucks) to a fire because we don’t know how big the fire is or what will be necessary to get it under control. We would rather be over-prepared than underprepared.

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.

Responding to calls on active roadways are extremely dangerous due to the high volume and speed of vehicles passing by. We block traffic lanes for the safety of our personnel and those involved in the accident. Blocking extra lanes ensures the safety of our members when they go back to our apparatus to get more equipment and help protect the victim we are trying to aid. 

There are some instances where mutual aid assistance is required to augment our capacity. Roslyn Rescue has agreements in place with other fire departments so that they can respond to our emergencies when we require such capacity (and vice versa). We are thankful for and grateful to our neighboring departments for their service. 

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.

You can check your fire extinguisher by looking at the pressure gauge on the side. If the needle is above the refill line, then your extinguisher is ready to be used. If not, you will need to refill or replace your fire extinguisher. Roslyn Rescue does not refill fire extinguishers, so we recommend that you either find a company to refill your extinguisher, or purchase a new one.

Your pets should be a part of your emergency preparedness plans. Arrangements should be made well ahead of the actual need for evacuation. Please click here for more information.

All of our members who provide emergency medical care are at least EMT-B certified. We also have members who are A-EMT certified, EMT-CC certified, as well as paramedics. Additionally, all EMTs go through a rigorous credentialing process where they go on at least ten ambulance calls with supervision by a field training officer. This ensures that all our EMTs will provide excellent patient care. 

We are required by law to follow very specific evidence-based protocols as mandated by New York State. Such protocols are regularly reviewed and expanded to ensure emergency care providers are rendering aid using the most appropriate protocols. Additionally, we take training very seriously. All of our EMS members must undergo continuing training and qualify with the latest prehospital equipment and methods in order to remain certified. We are proud of our continuing medical education program and routinely host esteemed physicians who practice in academic environments to educate our members. 

An EMT-B is a medical professional trained in basic life support. Paramedics are trained in advanced life support. Paramedics can administer medications and narcotics that EMTs cannot. While EMTs are trained in basic life-saving measures, paramedics can provide advanced care and hold additional certifications.

Our EMTs always have your best interest in mind and are trained to determine which hospital to transport to based on the priority and severity of the call. Not all hospitals are equipped for certain situations. The provider overseeing your care may determine that a different hospital is the best choice to ensure that you receive definitive and appropriate care as soon as possible. This is determined based on the most up-to-date NYS EMS protocols.

While we always strive to allow a family member or friend to accompany a patient to the hospital, given visitation restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have amended our policy such that the patient will be transported to the hospital without a friend or family member accompanying them. During these challenging times, we will take extra steps to ensure facilitate communication between the patient and the family. We will update this policy as the situation allows. 

Roslyn Rescue provides emergency medical assistance and only responds to emergencies. If you would like transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, you can contact a non-emergency ambulance company.

Rest assured that your financial situation will not impact the ability for you to be treated and transported to the hospital and the quality of care you receive. As of 2021, Roslyn Rescue does not charge for treatment or patient transport. Such may not be  true if a NCPD paramedic or a mutual aid responder is on a Roslyn Rescue ambulance. In these instances, such providers are legally required to render emergency care irrespective of one’s ability to pay. 

The Emergency Ambulance Bureau (EAB) of the NCPD operates many ambulances throughout Nassau County, all of which are “in the 911 system” and are ALS equipped to  deliver excellent prehospital care including IV therapy, defibrillation, medication administration, endotracheal intubation, and other medical techniques consistent with Nassau County protocol. Please note that Roslyn ambulances are immediately dispatched as a “first due” unit in the event a caller dials Nassau County Firecom at (516) 742-3300. In the event a caller dials 911, the ambulance dispatched is dependent upon a myriad of factors including the status of EAB. In any event, both Roslyn Rescue and EAB offer excellent prehospital care, using the same protocols and techniques. 

To prepare for a medical emergency, we recommend you become first aid and CPR/AED certified. We also highly recommend keeping an up-to-date list of allergies, medications, and patient history we can reference. 

You can play an active role in an emergency situation by listening closely to the directions provided by the 911 dispatcher. Make sure to stay connected to the dispatcher until instructed to disconnect the call. We recommend that you designate an individual to watch for the arrival of the ambulance to better inform the crew of the situation. Taking the proper steps before emergency services show up is extremely important in the outcome of the emergency.

The dispatcher will ask you questions to relay crucial and accurate information to first responders. The better we understand the situation, the more efficiently we can operate.

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! 

Tours of the fire station are available on a case-by-case basis and are subject to mutual availability. To schedule a tour, you can email us at info@roslynrescue.org.

We do not accept expired medications.

No. Such decals have been deemed to impede firematic operations in the event of an emergency. 

You can email us at info@roslynrescue.org. Please note that applicants must be at least seventeen years of age to apply. Applicants under the age of eighteen require parental consent. 

If you are approached by an emergency vehicle while driving, you should pull over to the right side of the road and clear a space for the emergency vehicle to pass.

Sometimes, when our members are standing by at a station, they will take a department vehicle to go and shop for food. In doing so, if our crew is prepared to respond immediately in the event of an emergency call. 

Please contact administration at 516-621-3899.

The Roslyn Fire District is fortunate to have two organizations charged with protecting and serving our community. Both departments respond to the same calls and undergo the same rigorous training. Roslyn Rescue and Roslyn Highlands both play an important part in keeping the Roslyn community safe! 

We thank you for considering us in playing a role in your event. Please contact administration at 516-621-3899 to begin the conversation.