Volunteering at Police Athletic League

A resident of Atlantic City, Roderick Knox is a school management and administration professional and former firefighter. A senior accountant and grant coordinator at Pleasantville Board of Education, Roderick Knox sits on the executive board at Police Athletic League.

The Police Athletic League (PAL) brings together the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the law enforcement community to help youths to become productive members of society. PAL relies on over 2,000 dedicated volunteers to run various empowerment programs that cut across different age groups. Both individual and corporate volunteers support the daily needs of program participants. Volunteers serve as tutors, mentors, coaches, teaching artists as well as offering administrative support.

PAL volunteers work closely with staff, NYPD, and other law enforcers to ensure the success of youth service projects across New York City. Other areas volunteers offer support include organizing special events such as PAL Carnivals and annual holidays, participation in PAL center renovation projects, homework help, and back to school supply drives. 

About the IABPFF

Former Atlantic City Fire Department battalion chief Roderick Knox has recently started working in the education sector. Currently, he serves as the senior accountant and grant coordinator of the Pleasantville Board of Education. Roderick Knox maintains his interest in the firefighting sector with membership in the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters North East Region (IABPFFNER).

IABPFFNER is a regional organization directly associated with the IABPFF, which was originally established in 1970 to unite and advocate for black and minority firefighters. The IABPFF currently serves nearly 8,000 fire service professionals. It primarily strives to increase the number of black and minority professionals in leadership positions and promote interracial progress.

IABPFF helps its members and the community through the Black Women in Fire Service committee, which is focused on encouraging diversity in firefighting jobs. The committee functions in several areas surrounding the employment and inclusion of black women in the field, including the increase of women applicants for firefighting positions and how the existence or lack of training affects female firefighters.