Thursday, October 1, 2026
Defender Hose Company No. 1 of the Rockville Centre Fire Department will host an Open House on Oct. 7 to observe Fire Prevention Week and to recruit volunteer members for the Fire Department and for the new Rockville Centre Junior Fire Department, which is in its inaugural year.
All residents are invited to the open house between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Defender firehouse at 39 S. Centre Ave., between S. Village Ave. and Merrick Road.
The officers and members of Defenders will be on hand to greet every visitor. They will demonstrate fire prevention techniques, display firematic equipment, provide activities for the kids (young and old), and free refreshments. There will be free items for everyone.
In April 2011, there was a state-wide recruitment drive in which the RVC Fire Department participated. This was a huge success for Defender Hose Company, as four new members joined within the following year, after a drought of new members over a period of several years before that.
“We are pleased to open our firehouse to our fellow residents and neighbors, especially during Fire Prevention Week,” said Defender Captain Jim Avondet. “While our mission is to preserve life and property, we firmly believe that fire prevention and early detection are the most important firefighting tools we have. We encourage every resident to come to our neighborhood firehouse, learn about fire safety and prevention, and meet the neighbors who volunteer to protect you from harm. Perhaps you may be persuaded to join and help us protect our neighbors.”
Members of the Junior Fire Department, local 13-to-17-year olds, will be on hand to demonstrate some of the skills they have learned during the past several months since their group was organized in November 2011. These young people are learning what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter and they ask all students who may have an interest in joining the RVCJFD to come down and speak with them. The Junior FD gathers once a month for a meeting and training, participating in a drill with a different fire company each month.
Children in grades K through 9 are encouraged to enter a state-wide contest with a poster (Grades K to 4), or essay (Grades 5-8), and for grades 5-9 there are video and graphic design contests. The entry must present the students work and be based on this year’s fire prevention theme: “Have 2 Ways Out!” Interested students should stop by the Open House to receive an Official Entry Form and Contest Rules. Deadline for entry is Nov. 30. Winners will receive cash prizes, and plaques or certificates.
Defender Hose Company will also host a local poster contest for children. Students in grades K through 8 should come to the Open House for those contest rules. Winners in each of three age groups and an overall winner will receive $25. All participants will receive certificates of achievement. The deadline for entry in the local contest is Nov. 4.
