(Updated 2/19/2026 to reflect Local 2029’s views on firefighter staffing.)
The City of Rye Fire Department has added a new firefighter. The new position was approved at the end of last year as part of the 2026 budget. Local 2029 has been maintaining many more firefighters are needed in the City to maintain proper coverage, including four more to achieve two person coverage at Milton firehouse at all times. This position represents the one approved and budgeted position of the four needed for the Milton coverage.
On Tuesday morning at City Hall, Jeffrey Fernandes was sworn in during a small ceremony. Fernandes is the junior of retired Rye Firefighter Jeff Fernandes.
Probationary firefighter Fernandes, Badge 58, will begin in house training before starting the Westchester Career Chiefs Fire Academy next week. He grew up in Rye and Armonk and graduated from Byram Hills High School in 2019.
