Ridge Road Fire District

Rochester, NY

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History

In 1922, the community centered at Ridge Road and Long Pond Road was a largely agricultural hamlet known as Ada. The Greece Ridge Fire Department was incorporated on August 3, 1922 with the Greece Ridge Fire District being formed later that year, on November 25th.  The District would later become the Ridge Road Fire District. The first meetings were held in the St. John’s Church rectory until being moved to the Town Hall in 1925. At the time, the Greece Town Hall was located on West Ridge Road, between Long Pond Road and Mitchell Road.

The first motorized fire apparatus was a Pierce Arrow pumper that was purchased in 1922 to augment the soda acid chemical cart and hose cart that local merchants had been using to extinguish fires.

The first firehouse opened in 1924 on the corner of Ridge Road and Long Pond Road. By 1930, the first paid fireman was hired; a man by the name of Frank Siebert. The firehouse was remodeled and included an apartment for Mr. Siebert. He was on duty 24-hours a day, with about 8 hours off per week. During the 1930’s, the department found itself responding to a variety of calls and it was announced in January of 1933, that a First Aid class would be arranged for members.

In 1935, the district purchased a second motorized pumper.  It was an American LaFrance and was the first of our trucks to be painted white. Legend has it that there was fierce but friendly competition between the North Greece and Greece Ridge fire departments and that the up-charge for selecting DuPont white paint over the standard red was an indication of pride in the fire company. The tradition of white trucks continues to this day, although the fierce competition has become more of a cooperative partnership over the years.

In the 1940’s the effects of the Second World War were felt in the district as they were throughout the Nation. Black out shades were used on the windows of the firehouse during meetings and firefighters received incendiary bomb training. Following the war, the Town of Greece saw a post-war expansion. Between 1945 and 1950, over 2,700 new homes were built in the town; most of them in our district. With the increase in population came a need for another apparatus, a 1948 Mack Pumper.  There was also an increase in calls and in 1947, the department responded to 52 alarms.

The 1950’s brought two-way radios and a fire telephone. Alarms would now be relayed from the Rochester Fire Dispatcher to Greece Ridge. The Greece Ridge fireman would then alert volunteer members through home radio sets. By 1955, yet another truck was purchased, bringing the fleet to four motorized apparatus. By 1958, plans were in place to build a new firehouse on Long Pond Road, just south of the Ridge. Frank Siebert retired in 1959 and the first civil service Firemen were hired later that year. The town increased in population by 90% between 1950 and 1960 with much of the District becoming developed.  The department responded to 126 alarms in 1959.

The new firehouse was opened in 1962 at 1299 Long Pond Road. This station still serves as our Headquarters, albeit with several renovations over the years. The Sixties were a time of great expansion in the Town. Population in the town continued to increase with the urban-suburban sprawl. With the success of the Eastman Kodak Corporation, the Ridge Road District saw increases in both residential and commercial properties.  This again brought more work and In 1968, a full night shift was added, resulting in 24-hour staffing by career personnel. With the increase in residential properties during the decade, a second firehouse was needed and in 1969, approval was obtained to build the Stoneridge Station.

The Stoneridge Station opened in 1971 to better serve the residents and shop owners in the eastern portion of the district. This station was staffed with one firefighter, 24 hours a day.  As the decade progressed, industrial development continued on a steady upward trend and the district became home to several shopping centers, nursing homes, and a hospital. In 1976, the First Aid program was improved and personnel began receiving training as Emergency Medical Technicians to provide 24-hour medical care and to assist the ambulance service with medical calls in the district.

Through the 1980’s the community continued expanding, both in residential and commercial zones. Greece Ridge was a combination department with a strong volunteer force supplementing the paid firefighters. Even with this arrangement, staffing was at 24 paid firefighters by 1982. Fire responses consistently increased, as did emergency medical calls and by the early 1990’s our personnel were responding throughout the county for hazardous materials incidents.

While the 1990’s saw a decline in the local industries, there was a continued increase in work load for the district. A 300-acre business park was built along the Erie Canal and became home to the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper printing press, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, and several other companies.

In recent years, changes in local industry have led to both a change and increase in the incidents we respond to. The Ridge Road Fire District is now home to various production, packaging, warehousing and healthcare outlets.  These facilities conduct business in all corners of the world and our personnel are always ready to respond to their needs. Of course, we are still here to serve our residents and small businesses and are better trained and equipped to do so than ever before.

 

 

 

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Ridge Road Fire District

Ridge Road Fire District

Ridge Road Fire District
4 weeks ago
Ridge Road Fire District

We are hiring a Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist, come work for us! ... See MoreSee Less

We are hiring a Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist, come work for us!Image attachment
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It's a great job!

Ridge Road Fire District
1 month ago
Ridge Road Fire District

Firefighter David Williams has announced his retirement after serving the Ridge Road Fire District for more than 21 years. David's retirement date is tentatively February 24, 2023.
Dave was hired as a Firefighter by the District on July 19, 2001. Dave brought with him several years of firefighting experience, he was a member of the Barnard Fire Department from 1977- 1995 (serving three of those years as Chief), he was previously employed as a laborer /EMT with our District from 1985- 1991 and a full-time Firefighter / EMT with the Kodak Fire Department from 1984-2001. Dave's experience and ability to share those experiences made him an asset to our organization. Including the Barnard Fire Department Explorer Program, Dave has over fifty years of firefighting experience in the Town of Greece, it is that experience and his no-non sense attitude that has allowed him to fill the "senior guy position since he started here. Dave has left his mark in the fire service, his position in this organization will be a tough one to fill and he will be missed. Dave will continue to serve the residents of the Town of Greece in his position of Fire Commissioner with the Barnard Fire District. Best of luck in your retirement!
... See MoreSee Less

Firefighter David Williams has announced his retirement after serving the Ridge Road Fire District for more than 21 years. Davids retirement date is tentatively February 24, 2023.
Dave was hired as a Firefighter by the District on July 19, 2001. Dave brought with him several years of firefighting experience, he was a member of the Barnard Fire Department from 1977- 1995 (serving three of those years as Chief), he was previously employed as a laborer /EMT with our District from 1985- 1991 and a full-time Firefighter / EMT with the Kodak Fire Department from 1984-2001. Daves experience and ability to share those experiences made him an asset to our organization. Including the Barnard Fire Department Explorer Program, Dave has over fifty years of firefighting experience in the Town of Greece, it is that experience and his no-non sense attitude that has allowed him to fill the senior guy position since he started here. Dave has left his mark in the fire service, his position in this organization will be a tough one to fill and he will be missed. Dave will continue to serve the residents of the Town of Greece in his position of Fire Commissioner with the Barnard Fire District. Best of luck in your retirement!
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Congratulations! Enjoy your retirement!

Congratulations on your retirement. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Congratulations! Well deserved! Enjoy it!

Did they book the Exempts for an extended period?? This has the makings of an "event", you may not want to miss🤔🤔

Congratulations thank you for your service

Congrats Uncle David!

Congratulations Tuna

Good for you. Congratulations

Congrats Tuna, best of luck to you!

Congratulations Dave. Well earned retirement after that career!!

Congratulations Dave. Time to pass the torch. Enjoy your retirement.

Congratulations on an outstanding career and service to the Community

Congratulations Dave!

Congrats brother hope you enjoy the next phase of life to the fullest. Be safe. 

Congratulations Dave!

Congratulation Tuna,

Congratulations Dave

Congratulations Dave

Congratulations Dave!

Congratulations Dave

Way to go big brother!

Congratulations David 🥰😍

Congratulations classmate enjoy this retirement!!!

Congrats Dave !

Congratulations brother

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Ridge Road Fire District
1 month ago
Ridge Road Fire District

Yesterday we had the opportunity to introduce CPR to over 250 community members! Thank you to all who helped out, especially the Knowles family for organizing and Greece Central School District for the facilities!

Monroe Ambulance
Highland Hospital
North Greece Fire District
Barnard Professional Firefighters Local 4030
Lake Shore Fire Department
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Yesterday we had the opportunity to introduce CPR to over 250 community members! Thank you to all who helped out, especially the Knowles family for organizing and Greece Central School District for the facilities!
Monroe Ambulance 
Highland Hospital 
North Greece Fire District 
Barnard Professional Firefighters Local 4030 
Lake Shore Fire DepartmentImage attachmentImage attachment
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It was such an honor working with all of you

Amazing!

Ridge Road Fire District
2 months ago
Ridge Road Fire District

Battalion Chief Greg Rogers has announced his retirement after serving the Ridge Road Fie District for the past Twenty Years. Greg's tentative date of retirement is February 28, 2023
Battalion Chief Rogers was hired as a Firefighter in February 2003. Prior experience included his career in the United Stated Coast Guard and time as a volunteer firefighter with the Barnard Fire Department. In 2011 Greg was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, he was promoted to Captain in 2019 and to his present rank of Battalion Chief in 2021 when he became the Duty Officer on Group Three.
During his career Greg assisted with obtaining a grant used to update the District's extrication equipment and chaired the SOP committee, which worked to update and redesign the District's Standard Operation Guidelines and Procedures. Most recently Greg authored the District's "Comprehensive Report on Fire Company Staffing & Deployment", which provided us the information and statistics needed to move forward with staffing our ladder truck. Greg also lead the District's training for elevator emergencies, water & ice rescue and has co-chaired our drivers training course.
In 2018 Battalion Chief Rogers received the Coast Guards Inspirational Leadership Award, an award that " Exemplifies the Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty". This award was only issued to eight (8) people that year throughout the entire Coast Guard.
Battalion Chief Roger's retirement will allow him and his family to re-locate to a warmer climate and search for a second career.
Best of Luck in your retirement!
... See MoreSee Less

Battalion Chief Greg Rogers has announced his retirement after serving the Ridge Road Fie District for the past Twenty Years. Gregs tentative date of retirement is February 28, 2023
Battalion Chief Rogers was hired as a Firefighter in February 2003. Prior experience included his career in the United Stated Coast Guard and time as a volunteer firefighter with the Barnard Fire Department. In 2011 Greg was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, he was promoted to Captain in 2019 and to his present rank of Battalion Chief in 2021 when he became the Duty Officer on Group Three.
During his career Greg assisted with obtaining a grant used to update the Districts extrication equipment and chaired the SOP committee, which worked to update and redesign the Districts Standard Operation Guidelines and Procedures. Most recently Greg authored the Districts Comprehensive Report on Fire Company Staffing & Deployment, which provided us the information and statistics needed to move forward with staffing our ladder truck. Greg also lead the Districts training for elevator emergencies, water & ice rescue and has co-chaired our drivers training course.
In 2018 Battalion Chief Rogers received the Coast Guards Inspirational Leadership Award, an award that  Exemplifies the Coast Guards core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty. This award was only issued to eight (8) people that year throughout the entire Coast Guard.
Battalion Chief Rogers retirement will allow him and his family to re-locate to a warmer climate and search for a second career.
Best of Luck in your retirement!
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Congrats!! Best of luck on your future endeavors.

Congratulations.

Ridge Road Fire District
2 months ago
Ridge Road Fire District

Addressing critical needs in the community, Ridge Road Fire District in New York was awarded new automated external defibrillators (AEDs). These lifesaving tools will be used in response to cardiac arrest emergencies. ... See MoreSee Less

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Ridge Road Fire District
2 months ago
Ridge Road Fire District

FYI - Monday, January 30th 9am-11am
Latona Rd and Holmes Rd
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Ridge Road Fire District
2 months ago
Ridge Road Fire District

Battalion Chief Quill conducting Fire Officer 1 training for 23 members from North Greece, Ridge Road, Irondequoit, St Paul, Barnard, Fishers and Brighton Fire ... See MoreSee Less

Battalion Chief Quill conducting Fire Officer 1 training for 23 members from North Greece, Ridge Road, Irondequoit, St Paul, Barnard, Fishers and Brighton Fire
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One of the best!

Ridge Road Fire District is at Ridge Road Fire District.
2 months ago
Ridge Road Fire District

2022, our 100th year of continuous fire protection and service to our community. The men and women of the Ridge Road Fire District are proud of the achievements made this past year and look forward to another year of providing outstanding fire and rescue services to the town, visitors, and neighbors of Greece ... See MoreSee Less

2022, our 100th year of continuous fire protection and service to our community. The men and women of the Ridge Road Fire District are proud of the achievements made this past year and look forward to another year of providing outstanding fire and rescue services to the town, visitors, and neighbors of Greece
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  • Likes: 61
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Thank you so much! ❤️❤️

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Contact Information

Ridge Road Fire District
1299 Long Pond Rd.
Rochester, NY 14626

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Phone: 585-227-2123

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