Live-In Program Information Session
 
By Chief of Department
August 20, 2024
 

The Purchase Fire Department is excited to announce our open enrollment period for our departments Live-In Program. The primary intent of this program is to increase staffing and resources to meet the growing needs of the Fire District and to provide positive experiences, opportunities and training to young people interested in pursuing a career in the fire service. Our department has been heavily reliant on our live-in program since its inception after the membership recognized the delay of firefighters responding to the firehouse for alarms.

Our program allows firefighters to live at the firehouse rent-free while meeting attendance and participation requirements. Our live-ins firefighters receive practical knowledge and hands-on skills that can only be acquired through real-life experiences. Many of our members have gone on to careers throughout the Emergency Service field. Former live ins are also among today’s Fire Departments leadership.

The Purchase Fire Department responds to over 800 calls a year making our department one of the busiest all volunteer departments in the county. We also provide automatic/mutual aid to many municipalities throughout Westchester County. There are 3 major highways in our district and many other heavily traveled roadways. We also cover a portion of the Westchester County Airport, two large scale college campuses as well as a large residential and commercial response area.

Our firehouse is located near several colleges making it a convenient living location for those
attending college in the Westchester County area:

• SUNY Purchase (less than a mile)
• Manhattanville College (less than a mile)
• Fordham University Westchester Campus (3 miles away)
• Westchester Community College (8 miles away)
• Iona College (10 miles away)
• Pace University (12 miles away)

Benefits for our firefighters living at the firehouse include:

• LOSAP (pension like benefits, designed like a retirement plan)
• College Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid stipend for NYS Training Classes
• Modern fire apparatus
• State of the art firehouse and equipment
• On-Site GYM
• Numerous training props
• Private bunk rooms/storage areas
• Study areas

If you are interested in becoming a member of our live-in program please join us at our firehouse on Saturday, September 7th at 10 AM for an information session about our live-in program and how our department operates.