‘Inside’ the Fire District: Monsey’s Newly-Elected Fire Commissioner

Ever since he was a child, as he watched the trucks of the Brewer Fire Company whiz through the streets of Monsey, Yanky Fligman dreamed of being in the fire services. 

Last month, he was elected to the post of Fire Commissioner, one of a group of five commissioners at the helm of the Monsey Fire District–a position he did not pursue nor lobby for. But once he acquiesced to the request of many in the community and the fire service, Yanky intends to bring vision and deep passion to this lifesaving work. 

Monsey Roots 

Fligman was born into a family of Viznitzer chassidim, and grew up in Monsey his entire life. And is a self-described “fire buff,” someone who knows everything about fires, and shows up at many fires to help out in every way them can—assisting the heroic, all-volunteer force.

But his service to the Monsey community did not begin today; he has been volunteering in the Town of Ramapo EMS for close to a decade. 

The Monsey Fire Distric encompasses Monsey, Village of Kaser, Forshay, and parts of Wesley Hills, Chestnut Ridge, Airmont. It is a long and narrow district… and when it comes to fires, where every second counts, allocating resources and instituting protocols with an understanding of the distances is crucial. 

Yanky explains that the Brewer Fire Company on Grove Street is comprised of volunteer firefighters, while the district pays for vehicles and equipment. “Part of my obsession with firefighting is my intimate familiarity with many different trucks, and their individual features,” he says. 

He cites an example of where this expertise is so important: “We currently have a rescue truck (different from a firefighting vehicle) for car accidents, and similar events,” he says. “But what happens if this truck comes to a scene, and the car is engulfed in flames? Now, in the city, where there are separate teams for each emergency, it’s perfectly find to have a vehicle like this. But in a force like ours, lives could be lost in this way.” 

Building Bridges 

Yanky sees his role as that of a bridge between the community and the selfless volunteers who serve them. 

“There is so much for all of us to learn. We must do more to educate the community about the crucial importance of fire safety rules, codes, and regulations; they can be the difference between life and death. At the same time, I take pride in making our community’s unique needs known to the fire company.” 

Further expounding on his vision, Yanky says: “With a growing Monsey community, we are also looking to expand coverage by building more stations. We have already acquired multiple properties, in strategic locations (Chestnut/Airmont area and Forshay/Wesley area) to shorten response times, cover every inch, and maximize our protection of every single resident in the Monsey community. 

“We are growing the force, increasing training, revising protocols, acquiring a fleet of RRV (rapid response vehicles)—all as part of a vision to serve and protect this community better.” 

Yanky is animated as he says: “Monsey of today is not the same place it was in the past. The buildings are not the same, the streets and roads are not the same… it is a rapidly growing community, and our goal is to adapt along with it. Under the leadership of my fellow commissioners and myself, along with the Brewer Fire Company, the Monsey Fire District will continue to stand apart as one of the most unique fire organizations in the entire country.” 

 ‘Inside’ takes an inside look at the personalities, institutions, and establishments of the thriving Monsey—a special project of Rockland Daily.