The Montgomery News Staff | June 17, 2026
When Andrew Case joined the Rocky Hill Fire Department in January, he became the latest member with a long family history of service to the community.
The tradition began with his grandfather, Toby Whitlock, who joined the department over 65 years ago after following in the footsteps of his own father and grandfather. Andrew's uncle, Ray Whitlock, also volunteers with the department, and Andrew’s father, David Case, joined in 1998 after relocating to Rocky Hill with his wife, Wendy Whitlock Case. Now, Andrew is carrying that legacy forward.
Left to Right: Andrew and David Case
"I kind of missed that feeling of being part of a team again," said Andrew, 27, who works in logistics alongside his father. "I wanted to dedicate myself to something."
As a former college baseball player at Ramapo College, Andrew had been searching for an opportunity that offered the same camaraderie and sense of purpose he experienced as an athlete. Growing up around the fire department made volunteering a natural fit.
Even before joining, Andrew was familiar with the organization through his family's involvement. His older sister, Megan, even served as the Department’s treasurer. As a result, very few aspects of the department surprised him. Instead, he has gained a greater appreciation for the training and knowledge firefighters develop behind the scenes.
"I really hadn't thought about all the little details that go into everything," he said. "The science behind how fire reacts and all the training that goes into it has been really interesting to learn."
But Andrew's most memorable experience came during his very first emergency call, when he and his father responded together.
"The engine had already left, so it was just me and my dad on the truck," Andrew recalled. "It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. The amount of adrenaline I had rushing through me was incredible."
For David, serving alongside his son has been especially meaningful.
"It's very gratifying knowing that he values what I value," David said. "Helping the community and giving back. When people are in need and you can reach out and help somebody, that goes a long way."
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More than two decades ago, David benefited from the guidance of family members already serving in the department. Having that support network helped him navigate his early years as a firefighter, and now, he gets to watch Andrew begin his own journey. The experience has also strengthened their relationship.
"It's another way that we can connect," Andrew said. "To commit yourself to something that's bigger than yourself and to be able to do that with someone who raised me has been such a cool experience."
No prior experience is needed to get started. Rocky Hill Fire Department provides training and gear for free. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities available, including:
Firefighter – Respond to emergencies ranging from structural fires to vehicular accidents to swift water rescue operations. Must be 18 or older.
Junior Firefighter – Learn fire safety skills from experienced and knowledgeable firefighters as a high school student. Must be at least 16 years old to join.
Administrative Volunteer – Assist with fundraising, social media, website and IT maintenance, representing the fire department at community events and more.
To learn more about volunteering, visit JoinRockyHillFire.org.
