44°
Wallerstein is running for fire commissioner of North Castle Fire District 2. Voting will take place on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the fire house at 400 Bedford Road.
Since joining the department, Wallerstein was named firefighter of the year twice.
"Being a volunteer in the fire department has been both humbling and extremely fulfilling," Wallerstein said. "Running for commissioner will give me the opportunity to serve the entire community and make positive changes."
Wallerstein said he is committed to keeping the fire department as an all volunteer department. The fire department does have one paid EMT who works Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"In the next four to five years there are going to be significant challenges facing the department," Wallerstein said. "I feel very comfortable and well equipped to be a part of the leadership that navigates this."
Participation in volunteer fire departments has gone down throughout the country.
"If we have paid members that effects people's taxes," Wallerstein said. "We have to listen to our volunteer members and see what we can do for them."
Being a volunteer firefighter has been a great experience, Wallerstein said.
"It's a good group of men and women," Wallerstein said. "People come from all walks of life. It's a really broad diversity of ages and professional backgrounds and experience. It's a great place to meet different people."
When he's not fighting fires, Wallerstein works for a real estate developer in Manhattan, supervising construction and development.
The fire commissioner serves a five-year term. Five commissioners serve on the board.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Armonk and receive free news updates.
