As it is for most all village residents, raising their two boys with his wife  Nina, and owning a financial services business with offices in Manhattan and Rye Brook made it too  difficult to dedicate the hours and attention required of a volunteer firefighter. John’s oldest son, Joe, joined the department in 2002 as a firefighter and EMT, while still a student at Briarcliff High School.  He developed an interest in medicine and today he is a surgeon. This was the spark for John. He joined the BMFD shortly thereafter in September of 2003 and his first official call was the massive  King’s College fire up on the hill on Scarborough Road which is now the location for The Club. John remembers the event as a huge fire that took up an entire day, but afterwards, he was hooked.

Basic responsibilities for a volunteer firefighter are not insignificant. Emergency calls can come at any hour of the day or night. The training is rigorous and the requirements from the Department, the County, and NY State are constantly upgraded. Monthly meetings and drills are accompanied by work nights and other events.

Growing up, John had a very strong interest in trucks, cars and  motorcycles, so on top of all the basic firefighter responsibilities, he quickly became an Apparatus Operator. A couple of years later, he accepted the offer to be the Chief Driver, a role he still enjoys 18 years later. In this position, he is responsible for coordinating the maintenance and repairs of all the fire apparatus located at the main firehouse. John also leads a Team of other seasoned drivers. John trains new motor pump operators and performs required annual re-certifications of the existing members who drive rigs assigned to the BFC. John also served on the committees that supervised the design and purchase of two new BMFD  apparatus, Engine 93 and Rescue 37.

John Marcel has served his community for over 20 years. When asked why he chose a volunteer position that is inherently life-threatening, John replied, “I realize that our residents chose Briarcliff Manor because it is a safe place to live. As a member of the BMFD, I can make a difference and help my neighbors allay their fears when faced with danger whether it’s 4 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning. It is extremely rewarding to me”  

The Village of Briarcliff Manor is fortunate to have residents like John Marcel to keep them safe. The dangers of being a first responder are not for everyone.

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in joining this 100% volunteer organization, learn more join.bmfd.org.