RAMAPO – A petition to Ramapo’s town board is pushing for recognition and support of Rockland County Matzilei Aish, a fire brigade that describes itself as independent and well-trained but critics call rogue and downright dangerous.
The petition seeks a pathway for Matzilei Aish to join mutual aid responses with other volunteer fire services and first responders. The petition also seeks “support and resources to ensure RCMA is properly equipped, with access to training, resources, and legal backing needed to succeed and grow.”
Matzilei Aish’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Yechezkel Weiss, said the brigade formed for firefighters who want to follow Jewish law, known as Halakhah.
While some rabbis within the wider Monsey community have encouraged people to call Matzilei Aish first, other spiritual and community leaders have been critical of the venture and urge residents to call 911.
Even though the petition had yet to be filed with the town, county and Ramapo officials’ reactions have been swift and clear: This is not how it works.
Matzilei Aish lacking professionalism, competence, Ed Day says
Rockland County Executive Ed Day condemned the petition, and not just because state law doesn’t allow for such “independent” fire services that operate without proper oversight.
“We cannot afford to compromise public safety by granting official recognition to a group that has repeatedly failed to meet the necessary standards of professionalism and competence,” Day said in a statement. “In emergencies, every second counts, and delays or errors caused by unqualified responders can mean the difference between life and death.”
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Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht said the town hasn’t received a petition, nor would it be the proper venue.
“Firefighting is regulated by the fire districts within the town, which are independent municipal entities, or by the villages that have their own fire departments, not by the town,” Specht said.
According to New York state law, fire companies must specify the exact boundaries of their operation and operate under the control of their designated fire district, village, or town. Fire companies cannot operate independently or across multiple districts without proper authorization, ensuring oversight and accountability.
Missed carbon monoxide leak, obstruction at Ramapo fires alleged
The problem isn’t just the skirting of a well-established system in New York for how volunteer fire departments operate.
The Matzilei Aish brigade’s emergency responses, public safety officials say, have garnered near-miss results.
During a November fire in Kaser, Ramapo police say a Matzilei Aish member created a dangerous situation by stretching a Monsey Fire Department truck’s supply line and attaching it to a nearby hydrant, then apparently opening the hydrant before the hose had been connected to the fire truck.
“These actions could have resulted in a delay in firefighting operations, caused injury to firefighters or further unnecessary damage to the building,” Ramapo Police Det. Lt. Christopher Franklin said in a statement announcing misdemeanor charges against Jacob Silberstein. The Monsey man was charged with obstructing firefighter operations, second-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree obstructing government administration.
In October 2024, Matzilei Aish misdiagnosed a problem with a dryer at a Monsey residence, missing a dangerous and potentially deadly carbon monoxide leak, according to Chris Kear, Rockland County director of Fire and Emergency Services.
“While we encourage volunteerism, we continue to urge all residents to call 911 in the event of any emergency so that the authorized fire services can promptly respond,” Specht said.
Monsey fire departments have Orthodox volunteers
Weiss of Matzilei Aish, an adherent of the New Square-based Skver Hasidim, has previously told the USA Today Network that he and Matzilei Aish were being wrongly portrayed.
“We understand everybody has the right to choose and practice their beliefs,” Weiss said. “If they follow Halakhah, there is no such thing as being partially compliant. If they can’t be fully compliant, they should be honest and shouldn’t deceive the young people joining the department.”
Monsey Fire Department boasts predominately Jewish volunteers who span the spectrum of Judaism. But Matzilei Aish has pointed to activities that may include male and female members as out of compliance with Jewish law.
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Other Ramapo departments also have Jewish volunteers. Fire officials say Jewish members’ rabbis approved of their joining the departments.
“This is a rogue fire department that needs to be brought to task,” Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco said in a previous interview. “If they want to join a fire department, that is what they should do. We don’t know the abilities of this rogue fire department.”
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Monsey NY fire brigade seeks Ramapo backing; leaders blast rogue group