Unlicensed fire department’s mistake put lives at risk, rogue group must be stopped

It was a mistake that could have killed people if not corrected. Rockland County leaders are trying to crack down on what they call a rogue, untrained and unequipped fire response group that responds to emergency calls in the Monsey area. Around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, residents of a multi-family home on Phyllis Terrace called the Matzilei Aish Fire Department to report a carbon monoxide leak. Officials said Matzilei Aish responders detached a clothes dryer they believed to be the source of the harmful gas, asked residents not to use it and left. This turned out to be a major, even tragic, mistake. “Their goal is to be helpful,” said Chris Kear, Rockland fire coordinator, “but that’s not the case.” Kear said residents who still had a bad feeling then called real firefighters from the Monsey Fire Department. When they arrived, Kear said, carbon monoxide meter readings showed levels near 200 parts per million, which could kill someone over the course of a few hours of constant exposure. Monsey firefighters traced it to a heating unit and immediately shut down the unit. Kear said Matzilei Aish responders were invited to join their local, legitimate fire departments. “They refused to do that,” Kear said. “They just want to exist on their own, without any oversight from a PESH, OSHA or the state.” Ramapo police are investigating the group. There is no reason to arrest anyone yet. “It was never addressed in criminal law,” County Executive Ed Day said Friday, “because no one thought it would happen.” Day, a retired NYPD officer, said Matzilei Aish members can still be arrested with the right evidence. “If they interfere with firefighting, they could be arrested for a misdemeanor,” he said. “So that’s one thing.” Several residents who were on their way to services at the synagogue Friday told News 12 that they would call 911 or call the Monsey Fire Department directly, in an emergency, and that they did not trust Matzilei Aish. Others said their rabbis advised them to call for help from legitimate fire agencies, not Matzilei Aish. An operator who answered the organization’s emergency line said no one was immediately available to speak with News 12 about procedures and training.