To the Editor:
Planning for the future of the Irvington Fire Department (IFD) is not about politics—it’s about safety. Our firehouse is at the heart of our village’s emergency response, and our firefighters are dedicated community volunteers who stand ready to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Ensuring that our firehouse meets their needs, and those of all Irvington residents, is a matter of great responsibility.
That’s why Deputy Mayor Arlene Burgos and I strongly advocated for and obtained capital budget funding this year to address long-overdue improvements to our firehouse. The Board of Trustees’ $400,000+ allotment for these upgrades—including a proper decontamination area and relocating the building’s air compressor away from truck exhaust fumes—is not cosmetic. These changes are essential measures to safeguard our firefighters’ health and safety as they continue to protect us all. We are proud that we approved this funding to help keep them safe while staying within the tax cap.
Our work does not end there. We recognize that future upgrades are essential. We have closely studied past initiatives related to the firehouse and other village facilities, including the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and the 2023 Bond Proposal. The rejection of the 2023 Bond Proposal by 84% of voters highlights the importance of addressing the IFD’s needs while creating a process that engages firefighters and all Irvington residents. Shortly after the defeat of the bond proposal, Arlene played a key role in forming the Facilities Planning Committee (FPC), a resident-led committee co-chaired by a licensed architect and professional planner who live in the village.
The FPC has worked diligently to assess village facility needs, analyze reports, gather data, tour existing sites, and engage with key stakeholders. Outreach has included 16 project management meetings, five Steering Committee meetings, four public engagement events and surveys, three rounds of stakeholder engagement (including Department leads), and two presentations at Board of Trustees meetings (with interim updates from the Steering Committee). This extensive community engagement and collaboration exemplifies how good government should work: thoughtfully and transparently while valuing the experience and expertise of our firefighters.
Recently, the FPC concluded that additional professional expertise is required for a thorough analysis of the village’s physical facilities and financial needs, as evaluating optimal facilities locations and funding strategies exceeds the capacity of this volunteer committee. We are pleased to share that the Board of Trustees conducted a rigorous selection process and hired a professional consulting firm to help move the process forward. An essential aspect of the selection process was expertise in community and stakeholder engagement. Each phase of this process includes multiple opportunities for input — not just on the final recommendations. No decisions have been made, and we plan to respect this robust process without predetermining its outcome.
Ultimately, the goal of this process is to engage the community and build majority support for the responsible planning of our village facilities, thereby protecting our firefighters and Irvington’s taxpayers. That means weighing pros and cons and making decisions for the long-term benefit of our community—not simply responding to the loudest voices. Arlene has consistently demonstrated leadership in gathering data and input from residents, as well as the courage to act decisively to address issues that affect us all.
I live near the firehouse, and every time I hear the siren, I am reminded that help is on the way. That sound reflects the courage, readiness, and teamwork of our firefighters—and our collective responsibility to ensure they have the space and resources to continue their work safely. As we move forward with critical facility planning, Arlene Burgos is the only choice for mayor who has the experience, commitment, and steady leadership to guide us through that process with care and collaboration.
Josie Bloom
Irvington, NY
