The Rye Fire Department is on pace to exceed 1,400 emergency calls in 2026, and lithium-ion batteries are a growing reason why.
Captain Clyde Pitts shared those numbers in a Sept. 3 podcast interview on MyRye.com, where he outlined the department's workload, warned residents about household fire hazards and promoted a registration tool that gives firefighters critical information before they arrive at a home.
The most common residential fire causes in Rye remain electrical problems, cooking and unattended candles, Pitts said. But battery-powered devices are catching up.
"We are starting to see an uptick in lithium ion batteries, and how they are charged and stored and those are creating hazards these days as well," Pitts said.
He advised residents to charge phones, tablets and e-bikes only with manufacturer-recommended cables and only on hard surfaces. Charging on beds or other soft, combustible materials lets heat build and can trigger a fire that burns fast and hot, he said.
Modern homes burn faster
Pitts said fire doubles every 30 seconds. Synthetic materials found in modern couches and home decorations burn hotter and faster than older, solid-wood furniture, making early detection and planning essential.
He recommended every household keep working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, a fire extinguisher or fire blanket and a family evacuation plan. Smoke-only detectors should be replaced every 10 years, he said, while combination smoke and carbon monoxide units lose sensitivity after five years. Pressing the test button does not confirm the sensor still works properly.
Hardwired or interconnected detectors offer the best protection, Pitts said, because triggering one activates them all. Units tied to a monitoring service can alert the fire department even when no one is home.
He also urged seniors aging in place to sleep with their bedroom door closed, saying the barrier buys extra time to escape or shelter in place until firefighters arrive.
Community Connect and drone technology
Pitts highlighted Community Connect, a software system residents can access through the fire department page at RyeNY.gov. The tool lets homeowners enter address-specific details, including bedroom count, utility shutoff locations and general notes, and that information appears on iPads mounted in every fire apparatus while crews are en route.
The system is already standard for commercial buildings, Pitts said. He encouraged residential sign-ups so crews arrive better prepared.
The department has also invested in drone technology over the past two years. Drones help locate highway incidents, scout smoke or fire before crews arrive and identify the safest approach route, according to Pitts.
Department structure and outreach
The Rye Fire Department operates as a combination department with career and volunteer firefighters. The career side staffs two engines and one ladder truck, with volunteer companies providing additional response. Volunteer Chief Dan Bochicchio leads the volunteer ranks. Pitts noted that volunteer numbers have declined and training demands have changed.
The department plans an open house in October during fire prevention week, offering families an interactive look at fire prevention. The department held a similar event on Oct. 6, 2024.
Residents can reach the Rye Fire Department at 914-967-4530 or visit the fire department page at RyeNY.gov to register for Community Connect.
