Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Dept.

Established in 1914, Rockaway Point serves the private beachfront communities of Rockaway Point & Breezy Point in the NYC borough of Queens. Operating as one of the nine remaining volunteer fire departments in New York City, its’ members respond to 700 alarms annually providing Fire, Water Rescue & BLS level EMS transport services. Dispatched by Breezy Point’s private security force, Rockaway Point responds jointly with Roxbury VFD with each dept. providing a specialty (extrication, water rescue).  

Ladder 4 -2002 GMC 4x4/Darley 350 gpm/200 gal.

Responding first due to all alarms, Ladder 4 is equipped to handle a variety of fire & rescue operations. Due to Rockaway Point’s unique response area consisting of limited access roads to beachfront homes, they utilize a quick attack approach with this apparatus whereby the two man crew will drop a 2 1/2” supply line at the hydrant which will then be picked up by Engine 5 responding second due as the water source engine. It is equipped with two SCBA’s, 750’ of 1-3/4” attack line, 500’ of 2-1/2” attack/supply line and ground ladders. In keeping with Rockaway Point’s specialization, it is equipped with water rescue equipment including two survival suits, rescue cans and a rescue surfboard.

Rescues 1 & 2 - 2008/2001 Ford Econoline 4x4/Wheeled Coach Type III

Due to the narrow beachfront access roads of their community & neighboring Roxbury, the RPFD’s ambulances are equipped with after-market 4WD capability to traverse these roads in any weather.

Engine 5 - 1993 International 4x4/Darley 750 gpm/350 gal.

With its’ 4WD capability & front mounted pump for a reduced profile on narrow beachfront access roads, Engine 5 can easily secure a water source including drafting from the waterfront if needed. It is equipped with a total of 5 cab mounted SCBA’s (additional wall mounted SCBA’s in the firehouse allowing late arriving members to don SCBA while responding in the department’s two ambulances).

Rockaway Point responds from this single station located on the main access road into the community. In 2008, RPFD was selected as a top 10 finalist in Circuit City’s FireDog contest for their support of the community in allowing the use of their firehouse for children’s extracurricular activities.

The Rockaway Point-Breezy Point community suffered tremendous losses of both firefighters & civilians in the 9/11 attacks. This plaque mounted on Ladder 4 pays tribute to the seven FDNY members lost on 9/11. A private beachfront memorial with personalized glass panes dedicated to each individual community member lost can be viewed by clicking here. 

Special thanks to Chief of Department Eddie Valentine for his assistance in arranging the photo shoot of RPFD, Roxbury FD & the 9/11 memorial.

Copyright 2008 Tom Rinelli

MAYDAY!! MAYDAY!! MAYDAY!! - the Rockaway Point VFD suffered losses following Hurricane Sandy. They are in desperate need of support in the form of apparatus & equipment, any dept. willing to donate used equipment can contact the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund (www.terryfund.org), a local firematic charity  that is coordinating the effort (Chairman Brian Farrell, (516) 840-8839 or terryfund@verizon.net Thanks in advance to all the brothers willing to help the RPVFD.