FD RANT NEWS Long Island, New York
Parade and Drill Edition - June, 2013
OPENING DAY IN LINDY
Photo by Kevin Madigan – K2M Photography
The Ironmen from Riverhead run ‘C’ Hose at the annual Lindenhurst Invite Drill
WESTERNERS - 2012 N.Y.S. Motorized Champs– Page 5 NIGHTHAWKS – 2012 Old Fashioned Champs – Page 8 Lindenhurst Parade – Page 12 Miller Place Hosts O.F. Invite – Page 17 JuniorJune, Invite FD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7Central – Parade &Islip Drill Edition 2013 – Page 19
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FD Rant News Long Island, New York The #1 publication for the Long Island Fire Service with the MOST and the BEST coverage of the Long Island Fire Service.
As we enter our 2nd year in publication, the FD Rant News has undergone many changes since we last brought you the BEST coverage of the Drills and Parades from around Long Island. The feedback we received from our readers was overwhelming. Last season was a memorable one in many ways as the West Hempstead Westerners took home the N.Y.S. Motorized Championship for the first time in over 60 years and the Nighthawks from Freeport capturing the N.Y.S. Old Fashioned crown. The Junior Redskins from Bay Shore reigned over the Junior circuit with an impressive win in the N.Y.S. Junior Championship as well. We had planned an end of year wrap up edition but those plans were derailed when our area was battered by Hurricane Sandy. In this year’s first edition we have profiled the Westerners and Nighthawks and recapped their special year. We also covered all of the events since opening day in Lindenhurst on June 1st. I am proud to announce that long time correspondent and original FD Rant News member Kim Versheck has been named the Associate Editor of the FD Rant News Parade and Drill Editions. Many of you know Kim and you have seen him trackside at nearly every event in the past. We are proud to have Kim on our team as he brings his unique perspective when covering the drills all over Suffolk and Nassau. We would like to ask all of our readers to help spread the word about the publication with the MOST and BEST coverage of the Drills and Parades to please tell all your friends about us. You can ‘Like’ us on Facebook and you can tell them how to subscribe for FREE by forwarding this link to them: http://fdrantnews.com/subscribe.html. This year we will once again be covering nearly every event that takes place on the “other side” of the fire service including both County Parades and Drills in July and the N.Y.S. Parade and Drill being held in Hempstead in August along with just about every other event. Our coverage is not 1 or 2 photos of an event like the other guys. We give you comprehensive coverage of every event along with some insight from our correspondents and the results of the drills. Coming in our July edition you will see an entirely new format to the FD Rant News with new layouts and we will be doing something the other guys simply cannot do in print. We will have videos from many of the events that we cover. It doesn’t get any better than that.That is why we are the #1 publication for the Long Island Fire Service. We hope you enjoy our coverage and you will continue to tell all of your friends and families about us. Click the banner below to ‘Like’ us on Facebook.
We would also like to remind all of our readers that if you would like to join our team as a regular correspondent you can contact us as FDRantNews@verizon.net or call us at 631.766.3287 for more information.
Jeff DiLavore – Owner/Publisher FD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7 – Parade & Drill Edition June, 2013
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FD Rant News – Parade & Drill Edition - June, 2013 Volume 2 - Edition 7
FD Rant News has the MOST and the BEST coverage of the 2013 Parade and Drill Season. No one brings you more of the action then we do because we cover the ENTIRE Long Island Fire Service.
Cover Photo by Kevin Madigan – K2M Photography
Owner/Editor/Publisher Jeff DiLavore Associate Editor Brian Welliver Associate Editor-Parade&Drill Kim Versheck Graphic Editor Holly Luscher
Copy Editor Dave Cook
Social Media Consultant Mary Beth SteensonKraese
Contributing Authors Phil Lichtenberger Jim McNamara Robert Senn Joe Laino Mike Capoziello Pete Silver Duane Welliver Tim Ivers Jeff O’Toole
Correspondents Mark Bellew Ken Bradbury Chris Colletti Lauren Cronemeyer Eric Devine Eric Dobrini Lauren Foschino Robert Garofalo Paul Krussmann Tom Lambui Kevin Madigan Ralph Moniello Brian Olsen Chris Sabella Ron Schankin Andrew Tetreault Matt Thomas Kim Versheck John Walthers Cameron Wilken Pat Welliver
Long Island FD Rant News
Submit Stories and/or Photos to:
Northport, N.Y. 11768 Phone: 631.766.3287 Email: FDRantNews@verizon.net
FDRantNews@verizon.net Be sure to send contact information including name, phone number and email address.
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FD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7 – Parade & Drill Edition June, 2013
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N.Y.S. DRILL TEAM CAPTAINS ASSOCIATION DINNER Story by Ken Bradbury Photos provided by Author On Saturday, April 20th, the officers and members of the New York State Drill Team Captains Association held their Annual Dinner in Albany, NY. Among the festivities during the evening were to honor the State Champions, members attaining Life Membership status, State Records set, and other awards. Members given Life Membership this year where Anthony Scandariato of the New Hyde Park Termites, Jay Skidmore from the East Islip Guzzlers, Mike St Louis from the Lake Placid Panthers, and Kevin Doran from the Point Pleasant Pea Pickers.They also honored Wilbur Young posthumously, from the Oyster Bay Rough Riders.
The Junior Redskins from Bay Shore were honored for winning the Junior Championship.
The Nighthawks from Freeport were next to be honored for winning the State Old Fashioned Championship.
A new award was given this year for Joe Bennett of Dansville who was tragically killed last year. The Bennett Memorial for Sportsmanship was presented to the Deer Park Bucks.
The 2012 New York State Motorized Champions, the Westerners from West Hempstead was then given their accolades for their accomplishments.
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A Look at the 2012 N.Y.S. Motorized Champions WEST HEMPSTEAD WESTERNERS Story and Photos by Kim Versheck. Additional Photos Courtesy W.H. Westerners
After the 2012 tournament season was over, I had the privilege of speaking with some of the members of the West Hempstead Westerners. We discussed some of the team accomplishments during the 2012 season and what it was like to win the State Championship.The Westerners have a long cherished history in racing,that is nearly a century long with five previous state championships (1937, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1951) and after their 2012 win at Main-Transit they have added a 6th NYS Championship to the side of their rigs. They have always been a competitive team in different eras but this is probably one of the best teams they have had in a long time. A lot of credit for this was given to more structured and demanding practices. Many of their alumni came out to the weekly practices to help iron out minor details and changes that needed to be made. This became much more fiery and competitive throughout the year. This showed as the Westerners placed in the top five in every tournament they competed in before the state drill:
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5th place in the Selden Invitational (10 points) 4th place in the Joe Hunter Memorial Drill (13 points) 2nd place in the Nassau County Invitational (23 points) 5th place in the Central Islip Invitational (9 points) 2nd place in the Hempstead Invitational (19.5 points) 2nd place in the North Bellmore Invitational (21 points) At the Hempstead Invitational a C-Ladder time of 8.98 would become a new team record. The first ever “8” ever recorded in the Westerners history as well as the first “8” in C-Ladder for the season throughout racing. After their 2nd place win at the North Bellmore Invitational,the team focused on building off the momentum they had gained up to this point. With top 5 finishes all season, their spirit was high as they arrived upstate in MainTransit; but, they stuck to a very structured team oriented regiment. This included numerous plans throughout each day which were mandatory for the team, such as a strict curfew and Friday schedule to prepare everyone on the team for Saturday both mentally and physically. Before things got underway Saturday the Westerners gathered for a pre-tournament speech, in which everyone was reminded that it was just another tournament and not to press or try to do anything different. The team focused on running their practice shots and building off the last 2 weeks 2nd place finishes. After finding themselves a spot in the top 5 in every event up to B-Hose, the Westerners started to realize that they had a chance to win. After a first place shot of 7.73 in B-Hose,their point total was 17. Even after missing in efficiency and pump, they remained focused and confident knowing they were only down by 2 points going into buckets. As the sun set and the tournament came to a close, the West Hempstead Westerners had found their way to victory and were the 2012 N.Y.S. Motorized Champions. This was the Westerners first win in a major motorized drill in 21 years and their first State Championship in 61 years. With only 3 members on the team who had ever won a drill, this was something most of the team had never experienced. Many of the Westerners I spoke to described it as surreal and could not compare it to anything else they had experienced. Even after the tournament and parade were over, ear to ear smiles were still on their faces leading up to the Labor Day Drill and their State Champion Party. This was not the end of the Westerners unbelievable season and after a first place win at their Annual Labor Day Tournament they had won the Nassau County Points Championship with 114.5 points. This was the highest amount of county points ever scored by the Westerners and was the first time they had taken the overall Nassau Point Championship since 1991. They could now add the following to their long list of accomplishments during the 2012 season; overall Nassau County points in B-Ladder, CFD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7 – Parade and Drill Edition June, 2013
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Ladder, B-Hose, Motor Pump, Buckets, Overall Truck Events, Overall Ground Events, B-Truck Events, C-truck Events, Overall Ladder Points and Overall Hose Points.With a fantastic season in the record books and the 2012 N.Y.S. State Motorized Championship forever in your memories, we here at the F.D. Rant News would like to congratulate the 2012 West Hempstead Westerners and wish you all the best of luck in the 2013 season.
The 2012 West Hempstead Westerners Craig Hayes Andrew Brohm Kenny Brohm Jonathon Poirot Anthony Rizzo Ralph Nicholes RalphieNicholes Jr. Ray Magarie Pat Gaffney John Moskowski Ismael Villalba Shawna Bennett Peter Lilli Billy D'Alessandro Gerard Boettcher Bobby Dimonda Kenny Conn
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A Look at the 2012 N.Y.S. Old Fashioned Champions FREEPORT NIGHTHAWKS Story and Photos by Kevin Madigan – K2M
Resilience, an attitude to do well, and a willingness not to give up were the greatest factors for success for the New York State Old Fashioned Champion Freeport Nighthawks in 2012 according to Ex-Chief and team coach Timothy J. Seaman. On Friday, August 3rd, 2012 the Freeport Nighthawks were among nineteen teams on the scorecard for the New York State Old Fashioned Drill at Hempstead. Miller Place, Rockville Centre, Farmingville, and Oyster Bay were among the teams that would prove tough competition for the Nighthawks that night. However, that far into the season facing fierce competition was something that did not intimidate the team. FD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7 – Parade and Drill Edition June, 2013
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By the end of the tournament the Freeport Nighthawks finished first in overall points with twenty four and a half points. Miller Place trailed the Freeport team by over six points and finished in second. Despite a fourth place finish in three man ladder and a disqualification in running ladder, the Nighthawks excelled in other events. Coach Seaman recalled how in weekly practices he and others changed how the team ran running hose. At the state drill it showed with the Nighthawks coming in first in the running hose event with an impressive 10.93. In buckets, two into one, and efficiency the Freeport team finished in the top two of these events. When asked what the biggest challenge was in 2012, Coach Seaman answered that it was the abundance of new members. A handful of the Nighthawks had never run tournament before and were new to the concept. Coach Seaman and others took the time to ensure everyone had a good understanding of what was expected and needed to be accomplished. Every trophy won along the way to the state tournament was a testament to the hard work put in by every person on the Nighthawk drill team.
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What many people may not realize is how deep seeded the Freeport Nighthawk drill team history is. Strictly an old fashioned drill team in present day, the Nighthawk drill team was once a motorized team that dated back to the fifties. However, this concept only lasted through the early sixties. For over a decade there was no Nighthawk drill team. This period lasted until 1978 when the company adopted old fashioned based racing and continues it through today. Entering 2013, there are a couple of new additions to the team with many of the same people from the year of their championship run. While others may have high expectations for the team that just won it all, it is likely nothing will change in how the Freeport Nighthawks will conduct themselves. They will still carry on with their weekly practices and film reviews. But only time can tell what this season has in store for them. 2012 Freeport Nighthawks Eddie Tyler Joe DiGiacomo Brian Bonora Jr. Cody Bonora Christopher Burkart Jared Staton Steve Kistela Michael Rodriguez Michael McMahon Kenny VanCott Michael Ngernnak Jhanny Quesada Timothy J. Seaman Robert Seaman Timmy Seaman Tommy Seaman Darnell Perrien Andrew Martinez Dom Albanese Eddie Torres Christian Mercadante Richard Laudam
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AMITYVILLE VILLAINS RACING TEAM !
Captain Robert Macomber Lieutenant Patrick Rendon Secretary Erik Lee Treasurer Vincent Urizzo 55 West Oak Street • Amityville • New York (631) 264-1130 • www.amityvillefiredept.org
To Whom It May Concern: The Amityville Villains Racing team will be hosting an “Old Fashioned” Drill Tournament on Saturday June 29th. This will be a memorial tournament in memory of Zack Bernstein, a member of Hook & Ladder Co. #1, who was killed in a car accident two years ago. As you are aware Hurricane Sandy did a lot of damage to the south shore of Long Island, and our facilities were not exempt from that damage. We are in need of donated funds to help us rebuild and run this tournament in Zack’s name. All donating parties will be listed at the tournament on a sign for the public to view and will be a good advertising opportunity. Any donations will be greatly appreciated and used to help us rebuild. If you have any questions about the tournament please feel free to contact our team officers. In addition you can view public videos of some of the tournaments we have competed in via the YouTube channel: AFDExCaptain317 Also you can join us on Facebook to receive updates on the tournament: http://www.facebook.com/AmityvilleVillains
Our Sincerest Thanks For Your Support!!!
LINDENHURST Motorized Season Opener Story and Photos by Kevin Madigan – K2M
Saturday, June 1st marked the beginning of the 2013 fire department drill team season. The season officially started with the 53rd Annual Long Island Invitational Parade and Drill sponsored by the Lindenhurst Fire Department. The tournament was comprised of eight events: Three Man Ladder, B-Ladder, C-Ladder,C-Hose, B-Hose, Efficiency, Motor Pump, and lastly the Bucket event. Twenty five teams participated in the day’s events with thirteen of them attaining points. By the day’s end the Wolves of Islip emerged the winners with a total of twenty six points. The West Sayville Flying Dutchmen and North Lindenhurst Piston Knockers tied for second with nineteen points accumulated.
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The Islip Wolves’ victory did not come easy as they faced tough competition all throughout the Saturday affair. At times Islip even hurt their own chances such as when they placed tenth in Three Man Ladder to start the day and later sixth in efficiency. But aside from this pair of aforementioned faults the Islip Wolves placed in the top two of every other event. The Wolves were helped by the Hoboes of Central Islip who were disqualified in motor pump due to a discrepancy with their hose length. Because this was the first tournament of the year it was beneficial for all teams to see where they stand. Teams will be able to improve in the areas they feel necessary and ready for the next event. All of us here at the FD Rant News would like to wish all teams the best of luck this season.
Link to Gallery: Lindenhurst Invitational Drill – K2M View and purchase over 1000 photos from this event
Link to Gallery: Lindenhurst Invitational Drill - LNBN
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LINDENHURST53rdAnnual Invitational Parade Kicks off the Season Story and Photos by Chris Colletti – LNBN
On June 1stthe Lindenhurst Fire Department Hosted their 52nd Annual Long Island Invitational Parade and Drill. This event kicks off the Parade and Tournament season every year and is looked forward to by many as their start to the summer. The parade was lead by the members of the Lindenhurst Fire Department up Wellwood Avenue thru Lindenhurst Village. Approximately 30 departments from across Long Island followed in march as they made their way to Fireman’s Memorial Park.
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LINK TO GALLERY: Lindenhurst Parade - LNBN View and Purchase over 240 photos from this event.
FD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7 – Parade and Drill Edition June, 2013
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The Islip Junior Wolves Take 1st at LINDENHUST JR. Drill Story and Photos by Kim Versheck - LNBN The juniors drill season started off on Sunday June 2, 2013 at Firemen’s Memorial Park in Lindenhurst. Twelve teams took the track for the season opener as the day began with the youngest running Junior Ladder. As the individual ladder events were finishing, the carts were readied for Running Ladder and the contest would heat up between the top teams. The Jr. Wolves were off to a good start, even after having to re-run Cart Ladder but the Jr. Redskins, Jr. Snails and Jr. Hoboes were not going to make it easy for them as the day progressed. As the hose events got underway the Jr. Gamblers from Hagerman put up some nice times showing they would be a team to be reckoned with this year. With a few new faces on the track and a few old ones on the sidelines cheering on their old teams, the competition began to pick up its pace. As the Efficiency started Bay Shore and Lindenhurst were on the heels of Islipbut the Jr. Wolves stayed calm as they took their shot. As the target tripped the day was decided and the Islip Jr. Wolves had taken the season opener. We here at FD Rant News would like to wish ALL the Juniors the BEST of luck in the 2013 season!!!!
Over 740 photos to view!!!! Link to Gallery:Junior Tournament at Lindenhurst - LNBN
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1st Annual North Shore Old Fashioned Invitational Tournament Story and Photos by Kim Versheck – LNBN
On Saturday June 8, 2013, the Miller Place and Rocky Point Fire Departments hosted the1st Annual North Shore Old Fashioned Invitational Tournament in Ridge. With the skies starting to clear from the previous night’s heavy rains, nine teams stood on the track as the days drill started with the Pledge of Allegiance. As the drill started off the Malverne Chipmunks took the lead with a 7.26 in 3 Man Ladder. Second thru fourth place were not far off the pace all within 2/10ths of a second and the Bayport-Blue Point Mighty Midgets rounded out the top five. Both hosts Miller Place Extinguishers and Rocky Point Rum Runners would see their first points of the day in Running Ladder but the Chipmunks’ 8 flat would again take first. With the Freeport Nighthawks in fourth the Bayville Oak Neckers held on to fifth place, grabbing their only point of the day as the ladder contests ended. Miller Place would take first in both Running Hose and Running Hose Replacement to tie Malverne for the overall lead. Amityville’s Villains and the Freeport Nighthawks also found themselves tied with 11 points each as the carts were put away for the day. Efficiency Replacement would give some teams some trouble breaking up the ties putting the Chipmunks back in the lead and the Nighthawks in to second. With three events left, Efficiency would also prove to change the overall standing for the top teams. The Mighty Midgets grabbed first place with a time of 10.79 and the Teddy’s Boys would pick up their first points in hose with their 16.50 (5th).
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Two into One put the Teddy’s Boys into the running for the overall fifth spot against the Rum Runners and the Mighty Midgets. The Extinguishers took over the lead but were still within striking distance of the now tied Nighthawks and Chipmunks. As Buckets got underway Amityville stepped ahead of the Rum Runners and The Mighty Midgets with a 30.10 and set the mark to beat amongst the top five teams. The Chipmunks would followand filled the barrel in 29.63 before Oyster Bay stepped up and showed they wanted a piece of this day with their run of 27.30. Malverne’s lead would be quickly taken away when Miller Place took their time of 26.73 and Freeport locked up the top five, when they stopped the clock at 28.15.
The Top Five: 1st Place – Miller Place Extinguishers (27 Pts.) 2nd Place – Freeport Nighthawks (22 Pts.) 3rd Place - Malverne Chipmunks (21 Pts.) 4th Place – Amityville Villains (17 Pts.) 5th Place – Oyster Bay Teddy’s Boys (10 Pts.) Check out over 590 photos of this event and make a purchase while you’re at it to support our correspondents who bring you this awesome coverage.
Link to Gallery: North Shore Invitational - LNBN FD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7 – Parade and Drill Edition June, 2013
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CENTRAL ISLIP Junior Invitational Story and Photos by Kim Versheck - LNBN
Eleven teams took the course on June 9th 2013 for the Annual Central Islip Junior Invitational Tournament. With the season heating up the Junior Hoboes again showed their strengths in ladders but would not have an easy day with the Jr. Redskins and Jr. Wolves looking to stake their claims in the top five. The Jr. Gamblers and Jr. Snails once again put in some strong times to help round out the top five overall for the day. As all the teams showed improvements over the previous week the season is shaping up to be very competitive this year and I am looking forward to see what happens. Hose events are what are made or broke the day and some minor mistakes across the board made the day a close race. The Bay Shore Jr. Redskins found themselves in First place at the end of the day just ahead of the Islip Jr. Wolves. Hagerman, Lindenhurst and Central Islip filled in the rest of the leader board.
Link to Gallery: Junior Tournament at Central Islip LNBN FD Rant News – Volume 2 Edition 7 – Parade and Drill Edition June, 2013
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