Contributed by
David Congdon, President, Walsh Park
Tom Cashel, Chair, Fishers Island Fire District Board of Commissioners
Fishers Island Fire Department and Walsh Park Benevolent Corporation have successfully worked together to secure housing for Rod Rodriquez, FIFD’s Paramedic and FI Fire District Manager.
The Fire Department will fund comprehensive renovations at 1770 Equestrian Avenue (the “Round House”) and benefit from an eight-year lease at the Walsh Park-owned home.
Tom Cashel Jr, FIFD Treasurer and Fire District Commissioner, said, “My fellow Commissioners —Donnie Beck, Dirk Harris, Stephanie Hall, John Bergquist, and I are grateful for both Walsh Park’s partnership and the support of the Fire Department membership in reaching this agreement. Walsh Park’s Round House represented the only practical housing option available to provide stable and long-term housing accommodations for Rod and his daughter.”
Tom added, “During his first four years serving the Island, Rod has lived in four different homes. The Fishers Island School, St. John’s Church, and Walsh Park each leased housing to the Fire District temporarily, allowing Rod to remain in the community to support the volunteers who provide critical emergency services. We deeply appreciate our close working relationship with each of these organizations, as well as Rod and his family’s patience and perseverance through a series of disruptive moves.”
The Round House arrangement is a mutually beneficial solution, giving the Fire District time to identify and implement a cost-effective, permanent housing strategy, while providing Walsh Park with an alternative source of capital to improve an important asset within its portfolio, enabling the organization to preserve its traditional fundraising resources for other portfolio priorities.
Linda Mrowka, Walsh Park’s Program Manager, leads a team of local contractors to execute the renovations, which include two fully renovated bathrooms, a remodeled kitchen, new flooring and appliances, interior painting and various repairs. The team consists of David Noe, Architect; Lusker & Spofford Contracting; Tom’s Plumbing & Heating; LaFleche & Sons Electric; and Edwards Landscaping. The renovations commenced in July and have a target completion in September.
“This beneficial outcome represented a successful collaboration among two Island organizations to meet an essential need of our community. After several years of significant capital investment across many of its 10 homes and 14 apartment units, Walsh Park lacked the immediate funds necessary to make the Round House ready for occupancy, but the Fire Department’s 501 (c)(3) had the financial resources available,” relayed David Congdon, President of Walsh Park’s Board.
The Fishers Island Fire Department is a community-based emergency response organization staffed entirely by volunteer firefighters and emergency responders who provide essential fire protection, rescue, and emergency services to Fishers Island. The Department operates under the oversight of the Fishers Island Fire District. The Fire District is the local government entity responsible for funding, equipping, maintaining, and establishing policy for the Department’s firefighting and emergency response operations. The Department’s Sea Stretcher ambulance vessel is an exception. Because it is not classified as a fire apparatus under New York law, the Sea Stretcher is owned and operated by the Fire Department rather than the Fire District, and its acquisition, maintenance, and operation are funded through the generous support of community donors. The Department reports to Chief Christopher Aiello, who is accountable to the District. Rod Rodriquez is a full-time employee of the District serving in the dual role of ALS-qualified Paramedic and District Manager.
Founded in 1987, Walsh Park promotes the viability of the Fishers Island community by seeking to create and maintain an ample supply of housing for year-round residents who are active, contributing members of the community, some of whom are members of the Fishers Island Fire Department.
