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Irvington Rejects Proposal For Second Fire Company

IRVINGTON, N.Y. – Irvington would not benefit from a proposed second fire company, officials have decided after months of debate on the issue.

Irvington firefighters respond to a small attic fire in this file photo.

Irvington firefighters respond to a small attic fire in this file photo.

Photo Credit: Meredith Shamburger

Officials rejected a request from Irvington resident Nikolai Kabelev to form a second company within the Irvington Fire Department.

“After much discussion and deliberation, our unanimous conclusion is that there would be no such benefit,” Mayor Brian Smith said in a statement.

Kabelev is a former member of the Irvington Fire Company who resigned about two years ago because he said he was being harassed. A former Firefighter of the Year, Kabelev continued to volunteer with the Irvington Fire Department until officials told him state law prohibited non-fire company members from doing so.

Kabelev argued a second company would bring in more volunteers for the department, but fire officials were skeptical that having two companies would work, especially if they were using the same equipment.

Smith said village officials evaluated both positions on the basis of whether a second company would improve firefighting efforts and found there would be no benefit.

“Nevertheless, we sincerely appreciate the open, honest and constructive dialogue that Mr. Kabelev’s proposal generated,” he said. “And we certainly look forward to continue to work with the members of the Irvington Fire company in support of their essential service to our community.”

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