South Ave. RFD: Truck 3/Engine 33

08/30/2026

Truck 3 Group 3 attended the Kiwanis Club of Rochester, New York bike rodeo! This event features safety checks, giveaways and education about rules of the road for bicycles!

08/11/2026

Ice cream?🍦 Yes please!

On August 9th, Truck 3 and Engine 33, Group 4 hosted an ice cream social right here at the firehouse. Community members got to come by, meet our firefighters and learn a little about the tools of the fire service, all while enjoying a tasty treat. A big thanks to The Lilac and Azalea neighborhood associations for organizing the event and to Netzin's Ice Cream 🍨 for providing a fan favorite!

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