Rye Fire Department with Clyde Pitts

Former Rye Mayor Doug French speaks to Clyde Pitts, longtime captain of the City of Rye Fire Department, about practical fire prevention, household preparedness, and how Rye’s combination department (paid and volunteer) operates. The conversation focuses on what residents can do at home to reduce risk, plus how the department uses training, technology, and mutual aid to respond quickly and effectively.In this episode, Doug and Clyde cover everything from lithium ion battery safety and smoke detector maintenance to evacuation planning, senior check-ins, and the department’s growing use of drones.Recorded on August 18, 2026Show notes and full transcript available at MyRye.com