NY Village Sues Neighboring Village Over Fire Protection

Last week’s decision by the Village of Port Chester, New York to eliminate its paid fire department has run into a new obstacle: the Village of Rye Brook filed suit yesterday claiming that Port Chester is under a legally binding contract to staff its fire station through 2018.

Rye Brook’s suit was filed yesterday in New York State Supreme Court alleging a valid fire services contract has existed between the two villages dating back to 2013, and will remain in effect until 2018. Under the agreement Rye Brook pays Port Chester $1 million per year in exchange for Port Chester firefighters to staff its station for a 12 hour overnight shift. Rye Brook is asking the court to order Port Chester to honor its commitment under the agreement.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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