David Rocco of Yorktown Heights is an author and photojournalist. He has been involved as a volunteer for many cultural and environmental initiatives in the Hudson Valley and NYC. He is presently on the Board of Directors for the historic Fireboat McKean Preservation Project. In 2023 David helped to get the retired FDNY Fireboat John D. McKean on the State and National Register of Historic Places. River Journal caught up with Rocco to chat about his new book, Fireboats of the FDNY.
River Journal: Tell us about the fireboats of the FDNY.
David Rocco: Fireboats are specialized watercraft designed for extinguishing fires on ships, piers, structures that are located along waterfronts and vessels in open waterways. Towards the end of the 19th century, the NYC Fire Department (FDNY) used two forms of marine firefighting; a New York Police Department vessel and several commercial tugboats. They both had minimal firefighting equipment. In 1875, the FDNY purchased their first fireboat. When the City of Greater New York was established in 1898, the FDNY marine unit was responsible for over five hundred miles of shoreline. By 1909, NYC was considered the busiest port in the world. By now the FDNY had ten fireboats in their fleet. The growth of the FDNY Marine Division was because of the visionary Edward F. Croker, Chief of the FDNY. His leadership helped the FDNY Marine Division become the first marine division in the U.S. Throughout the 20th century, the FDNY marine unit responded to thousands of calls including several major incidents. At the start of the 21st century, the FDNY fireboats played important roles during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and then eight years later with the US Airways Miracle on the Hudson water landing.
RJ: How long have you been writing?
DR: I started writing for various publications starting around 2005. In 2013, I became aware that two U.S. Navy planes crashed on Mt. Beacon which is located in southwest Dutchess County. After four years of research, I co-authored a self-published book in 2017 with author Don Keith. Our book was titled, The Indestructible Man – The True Story of World War II Hero “Captain Dixie”. In 2019, Stackpole Books took over as publisher and rebranded the title to The Indestructible Man – The Incredible True Story of the Legendary Sailor the Japanese Couldn’t Kill.
RJ: How long did it take to write your book?
DR: Between research and writing my manuscript, it took me three years from start to the time my editor informed me that my manuscript was heading to the printer.
RJ: For benefit of other writers, briefly describe your writing process.
DR: Regarding the research phase of my work, my time spent was based on accessibility and availability to sources such as libraries, newspapers, historical societies, authors who had previously written books about some aspect of the FDNY marine unit. As for a set time to work on my book, I had no set schedule.
RJ: Do you have any advice for those who struggle with writer’s block or other writer’s challenges?
DR: I constantly strive to be a better writer. I am open minded in learning the meaning of new words and the different writing techniques. My philosophy is advice that singer Bob Seeger gave to the younger struggling musician Glenn Frey. When Frey asked Seeger how to go about writing his own songs, Seeger replied, “Just keep writing.”
RJ: Do you have favorite local hangouts to dine shop, socialize, escape, chill?
DR: My wife and I are both members of Club Fit. As for my favorite hangout, when I have the time to do so would be AJs of Yorktown. AJs reminds me of the TV classic show, “Cheers”, a place where everyone knows your name. My wife and I go to NYC from time to time, but we mostly patronize restaurants in northern Westchester. My chill space is the parking area up at the top of Bear Mountain.
RJ: Do you belong to any civic or social or volunteer organizations?
DR: After spending ten years on the Walkway Over the Hudson Project, I moved onto other historic preservation projects such as the historic Mt. Beacon Fire Tower Restoration Project, the Mt. Beacon Eight and now the retired FDNY Fireboat John D. McKean Preservation Project.
Fireboats of the FDNY
Arcadia Publishing
Release Date: August 25, 2026
Soft Cover: $24.99 – Hard Cover: $34.99
For author’s events – events@arcadiapublishing.com
