Monsey Fire District ends partnership with Brewer Fire Engine Company

The Muncie Fire District is cutting ties with the Brewer Fire Engine Company, an end to the volunteer organization's history serving Muncie since 1877. All active members are appreciated. Members who work collaboratively with the district and with the community they serve are appreciated. They're supported, they're loved, and they're welcome to apply to the new company. Yossi Gestetner is the public affairs officer with the district, which has created a new Muncie Fire Rescue Company, A change, he says, to keep up with the demand of responding to about 1,400 calls a year. So to assure that there is a full crew staffed 24-7, the district hopes to bring in contracted people to provide that on a contract basis and then be backed up and supported by volunteers to do the rest of the work. It would be the first paid firefighters in Rockland County. He says $1.6 million has been allocated to do it in the district's 2027 budget, but is only an increase of about $80,000 compared to this year. An online petition to support Brewer has a few hundred names. A member told us off camera most of the firefighters will not join the new fire company, and some have already joined other fire departments in Rockland. The fire district will have public comment November 5th at 8 a.m. about bringing in an outside provider. In Wesley Hills, Rockland County, Diane Crusoe, News 12.