Unauthorized Responder Charged With Interfering at Fire Scene

Posted by: Curt Varone December 8, 2024 0

Police in Ramapo, New York have arrested a member of an unauthorized religion-based fire brigade and charged him with interfering with firefighters who were working to extinguish a structure fire on November 27, 2024. Jacob Silberstein, 26, is facing three misdemeanor charges, obstructing firefighter operations, second-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree obstructing government administration.

Silberstein is a member of Matzilei Aish, a non-certified brigade created to adhere to Jewish law. However, local officials say the brigade lacks proper training and equipment, and have referred to its members as “rogue and dangerous.” According to Lohud.com:

  • Ramapo police say that Silberstein approached the responding Monsey Fire Department truck, stretched the truck’s supply line and attached it to a nearby hydrant without alerting firefighters.
  • He apparently opened the hydrant, but the hose had not yet been connected to the fire truck, causing the line to fill the unconnected hose.

Lohud.com quoted a statement from Ramapo Police Detective Lieutenant Christopher Franklin as saying:

  • These actions could have resulted in a delay in firefighting operations, caused injury to firefighters or further unnecessary damage to the building.

According to Lohud.com, the Monsey Fire Department primarily consists of Jewish volunteers, and its members have the approval of their rabbis. Rockland County Government posted a statement on the agency’s Facebook page from County Executive Ed Day and Rockland County Fire Coordinator Chris Kear saying:

  • While the County deeply admires and supports those who choose to be firefighters, it is critical that this rogue fire company stops encouraging residents to call them directly instead of 911, knowing full well they lack the proper training to fight fires effectively.
  • As we’ve said countless times, mistakes like the one that led to this arrest can cost lives and ultimately we hope this sounds the alarm that this negligence needs to stop.
  • We acknowledge Supervisor Michael Specht and the Ramapo Police Department for working diligently on this and making an arrest to show that this will not be tolerated.

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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