South Ave. RFD: Truck 3/Engine 33

08/05/2026

Members of Truck 3 attended the event in our district tonight. Alongside community partners from Rochester Police Department, Pac Tac, and others, we worked to enhance community, build relationships, promote safety and build presence with our youngest community members.

07/16/2026

07/14/2026

WATCH Wednesday: Funeral service for John "JJ" Joseph of the Rochester Fire Department. Procession at 10:30am. Funeral Service at 11am. https://www.rochesterfirst.com/fire-department/rochester-firefighter-remembered-as-lover-of-life/

07/13/2026

Please be advised of downtown traffic patterns that will be affected on Wednesday by Lieutenant John Joseph’s funeral.

Please be advised that roads surrounding the Blue Cross Arena will be closed on Wed., July 15, starting @ 8 am for the funeral services of Lt. John "JJ" Joseph.

We appreciate your understanding as our community comes together to honor Lt. Joseph's life, service, and sacrifice.

07/13/2026

Truck 3/Engine 33 Group 3 responded this afternoon to a 2-2-2 on Henrietta Street.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Crews with the Rochester Fire Department received reports of a fire that broke out Sunday on Henrietta Street near Nelson Street. At around 11:19 a.m., crews arrived and fo…

07/11/2026

It’s important to those of us at RFD to support JJs family after the death of their son. He was a young man. Please consider donating a little if you can.



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CfpfQ6BHh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🚨Mayday Alert for Lt John “JJ” Joseph’s family🚨

On the evening of July 7, 2026, Lt. John "JJ" Joseph passed away after a private and courageous battle with job-related cancer. Lieutenant Joseph dedicated 18 years of service to the citizens of Rochester with the Rochester Fire Department, spending most of his career proudly serving with the Fighting Fives on Lyell Avenue as a member of Engine 5. He also served as Union Secretary for Local 1071, where he was a trusted source of knowledge and a tireless advocate for the rights, benefits, and well-being of his brothers and sisters, most recently serving as Lieutenant of Engine 5, Group 4. JJ embodied everything a firefighter should be: hardworking, courageous, experienced, dependable, and committed to those around him. Engine 5, the Rochester Fire Department, and countless family members, friends, and colleagues mourn the loss of an extraordinary firefighter, lieutenant, union leader, EMS instructor, teammate, brother, son, and friend whose legacy of service will never be forgotten.

Outside the firehouse, JJ embraced every opportunity to experience life to the fullest during his 37 years. He had a passion for the outdoors and could often be found skydiving, hiking, biking, playing kickball or hockey, or carving down the slopes on his beloved cat and Edmund Fitzgerald-themed skis. His adventures took him around the world, from skydiving in Panama to following the Tour de France from a rented van across Europe, while his deep appreciation for nature inspired him to celebrate Earth Day each year beside the tree he planted in front of his home and to ride his bicycle to work whenever possible, even through Rochester's harsh winters. Above all, JJ cared deeply for others, always putting the needs of his family, friends, coworkers, and community ahead of his own. He faced his illness with the same quiet strength and selflessness that defined his life, leaving behind an example of courage, compassion, and service that will continue to inspire everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Let’s provide the Joseph family the support they deserve so they can remember and honor John, unburdened by current costs.

https://www.theyardfoundation.org/mayday/joseph

thanks you 💚
💚


Rochester Fire Fighters Local 1071
Rochester Fire Department
City of Rochester, NY
New York State Professional Firefighters Association - NYSPFFA
13 WHAM ABC News 8 WROC Rochester
Fox Rochester WUHF Spectrum News 1 Rochester

07/11/2026

Welcome to a new group of probationary firefighters who graduated the academy this evening!

Celebrate tonight but be ready to do the work tomorrow. This is the beginning of a journey of service to others. Remember this, always. You are the thin red line between the community and that which you are now trained to face.

Do so with dignity, humility and selflessness.

Until the work is done…

Congratulations to the RFD Academy Graduating Class of 2026!!!

Please join us in celebrating their hard work and amazing achievement as we welcome them to the fire service!

Message from the Fire Chief:

"To the Graduating Class of 2026,
Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone. Today marks the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, and the beginning of a career unlike any other. You have earned the privilege of joining a profession built on courage, compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.

As you begin your careers with the Rochester Fire Department, never lose sight of why you chose this profession. Every call you answer, every life you touch, and every challenge you overcome will shape not only your career but also the legacy of this Department. Remember that the greatest strength of the fire service is not found in our apparatus or equipment, but in the people who stand beside us. Take care of one another, remain humble, continue learning, and never hesitate to ask
for guidance from those who have walked this path before you.

You are now part of a family with a proud history of service to the City of Rochester. Wear this badge with honor, represent this Department with professionalism, and always strive to leave it better than you found it. I am proud of each of you and look forward to watching you grow into the next generation of leaders within our Department.

Welcome to the Rochester Fire Department, and may you have a long, safe, and rewarding career."

“Until the work is done.”

07/08/2026

It is with sadness that we celebrate the life of Lieutenant John Joseph who died yesterday (on the left in this photo). It is not our place to state details surrounding his death so please do not inquire here but we do want to extend condolences to his family and to our own folks who are deeply saddened by his death. Rochester Fire Fighters Local 1071 and Rochester Fire Department can be followed for official information.

John “JJ” Joseph worked at Engine 5 for most of his career and is our Union Secretary. He is a young man and friend to many, an extremely hard worker, a strong advocate for our union members and a great firefighter.

If you see the flag at half staff at our firehouses, please take a moment to honor him in your thoughts.

Please keep his family and the RFD in mind and simply offer love and kindness here if you feel compelled.