Monsey Fire District Orders Brewer Members to Return Equipment as Major Fire Department Shakeup Takes Effect

Yisroel R.

The major shakeup inside the Monsey Fire Department took another significant step today, with the Monsey Fire District ordering members of Brewer Fire Engine Co. No. 1 to return all district-issued firefighting equipment and property as the district formally moves forward with Monsey Fire Rescue Company.

In a notice issued Thursday, October 29, the district said that following a vote by the Board of Fire Commissioners, it has now fully transitioned to working solely with Monsey Fire Rescue Company for fire protection services. Brewer members were instructed to return all district-issued equipment, including firefighting gear, radios, pagers, uniforms, identification cards, badges, electronic equipment, and other district property.

The letter was issued to Brewer members Thursday morning, with instructions to begin returning all district-issued items by 12:00 p.m. Thursday. Members have until 1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 1, to return the equipment at the Monsey Fire District apparatus bays at 16 Grove Street. According to the notice, all equipment must be personally handed over to authorized district personnel, documented, and signed off as part of the return process.

The district also warned that equipment that will not be returned within the time limit, or any effort to bypass the procedures, would be considered a non-return of district property and will be handled accordingly. The notice said the process was established in consultation with appropriate legal authorities.

As previously reported by Rockland Daily, the Monsey Fire District announced earlier this month that it would end its longtime relationship with Brewer Fire Engine Co. No. 1 and move forward with the newly formed Monsey Fire Rescue Company. The district said at the time that growing disagreements over roles, responsibilities, and the future direction of fire protection services had led to the split.

The Monsey Fire Rescue Company currently has 38 of its own volunteer members and continues to grow, as the company continues recruiting additional firefighters, including members of Brewer, while the district moves ahead with the full transition. The district ended its notice by thanking Brewer members for their years of dedication and service and saying it hopes to continue working with them in the future through the Monsey Fire Rescue Company.