Rockland Daily Interviews Moshe Engel on His Bid for Tallman Fire Commissioner

By Yisroel R. 

With the upcoming Tallman Fire District election, Rockland Daily sat down with candidate Moshe Engel, a Montebello resident who has emerged as a fresh voice and strong contender in this year’s race. Engel, who has been active in community engagement and fire communications, is running on a platform focused on improving response times, modernizing outdated systems, and bringing renewed energy to the district’s leadership. 

Below is the full interview. 

Tell us about yourself and what motivated you to run for Fire Commissioner. 

My name is Moshe Engel, my family and I have lived in Montebello for over five years. I am a father of two young boys, and community involvement has always been important to me. I regularly attend village board meetings, stay engaged with local issues, and have built a strong working relationship with our village leadership. 

I work a full-time 9 to 5 job, and in my spare time I volunteer with Monsey Fire Communications, a role I have proudly held for more than a year. That experience has given me a front-row view of how fire departments across Rockland County operate, what works well, and where improvements are urgently needed. Seeing those issues up close is what led me, back in February 2025, to put my name on the ballot for Fire Commissioner. 

What motivated you to run for Fire Commissioner at this particular time? 

The Tallman Fire District is at a point where meaningful change is necessary. Our department’s response time currently averages 13 minutes, and that is after an additional five minutes added during the initial county dispatch process. In emergencies where every second matters, these delays are far too long. 

There are also incidents where the department does not respond at all, forcing 911 to call in neighboring departments that arrive faster and more consistently. Our community should not have to rely on outside agencies for basic emergency protection. 

This situation developed over many years and is the result of leadership that allowed the system to slow down and fall behind. I am running because the community deserves a fire district that is efficient, reliable, and committed to public safety. 

Why do you believe you are the right person to bring this change? 

To fix a system that has been stuck in place for years, you need someone with backbone,  someone willing to stand up for change even when it’s not convenient for the people who prefer the status quo. I’m not running to maintain “how things were always done.” I’m running to modernize, improve, and demand better performance. 

I have attended Tallman Fire District meetings for the past eight months and have taken the time to understand the issues thoroughly. I am prepared to step into the role on day one and begin working immediately. 

Some residents question why you are running against another Jewish candidate. How do you respond to that concern?

This election is not about running against a Jew or running as a Jew. It is about improving a system that has been in place for many years and needs change. 

Months before the current commissioner was appointed, I let district leadership know that I intended to run. Shortly after that, the Board moved to appoint someone who could run against me. While I respect anyone who is willing to step up and serve, it is clear that this appointment was driven by internal politics, not by the community’s voice. 

Will you raise taxes like what people claim happened in Monsey?

Absolutely not. I am not running on a platform to raise taxes. In fact, it is important for people to know the current Board has raised taxes in recent years and already approved the 2026 budget, which includes yet another tax increase. 

My focus is the opposite, ensuring our tax dollars are spent wisely, efficiently, and with accountability. Better spending does not mean higher spending. It means making decisions that benefit residents, not insiders. 

Some may wonder how one commissioner can influence a five-member board. How do you see your role making a difference? 

The answer is accountability. 

Right now, the district has very little accountability to the public. When leadership is never challenged, performance declines. When an elected commissioner, not an appointed one, joins the board, the dynamic changes completely. 

We already see how important accountability is based on the reaction to my candidacy. If this much pressure is created by one independent voice before the election, imagine the impact after. One strong, independent commissioner can bring transparency, higher standards, and better decision-making. 

If elected, what changes would you prioritize first? 

 1. Reducing response times 

* This will be my top priority because lives depend on it. I plan to focus on*

* Recruiting more local volunteers*

* Opening an exterior program so more community members can serve* 

* Creating a more welcoming environment in the firehouse for new members* 

* Ensuring mutual aid always comes from the nearest and fastest departments *

 2. Phasing out the outdated fire bell system 

Departments are required by law to have two alerting methods. Today, all firefighters already receive radio alerts and mobile app alerts, which satisfy that requirement. The bells disturb residents and serve little practical purpose. I will work to remove them legally and responsibly. I attended the meeting where the district attorney confirmed this, yet leadership still ignored the community’s request. 

3. Improving mutual-aid decisions 

During structure fires and rescue calls, our district often requests help from departments farther away, even when a closer and faster department is available. This is unacceptable when seconds matter. I will push for policies that prioritize the fastest possible assistance. 

What final message would you like to share with voters?

This election is about building a fire district that responds quickly, spends responsibly, and serves the community with professionalism and integrity. 

I look forward to working with the commissioners, chiefs, line officers, and every firefighter in the district. Together, we can create a department that residents trust, one that protects every home and every family. 

I respectfully ask for your support on December 9.