FD Rant News LONG ISLAND, NY
Volume 3, Edition 10 - September 2014
CORAM Home Aquarium Sparks Major Blaze
A fast moving fire destroyed this home in Coram on August 30th [see story page 8]
EAST NORTHPORT – Occupant and Multiple Pet Rescues at Daytime Job Page 17 HICKSVILLE – Fire Complicates Morning Commute Page 24 KINGS PARK – Major Challenges at Abandoned Warehouse Fire Pages 26-27 GLEN COVE – Vacant House Burns Page 56 EAST MEADOW – Nassau County Legend is Honored at Burn Center Dedication Page 67
Photo by Thomas J Lambui
Page 2 Page 3 Pages 4 - 5 Pages 10 - 11 Pages 19 - 20 Pages 40 - 41 Pages 42 - 43 Pages 50 - 51 Pages 68 - 69 Pages 70 - 73 Pages 64 - 65 Page 66
Table of Contents Editorial Faces of the Fire Services Farewell to Dispatchers by Gerard Gagliano Talkin Fire Suff by Mike Capoziello Centerfold The Back of the Bus by Tom Cronogue Apparatus of the Fire Service Faces of the Fire Service The Monday Morning QB by Jeff DiLavore Sponsors Page About the Authors
Long Island FD Rant News Northport, N.Y. 11768 Phone: 516.852.4965 Email: FDRantNews@verizon.net
Owner/Editor/Publisher Jeff DiLavore
Associate Editor Dave Cook Technical Editor Brian Welliver Graphic Editor Holly Luscher Social Media Consultant Mary Beth SteensonKraese Contributing Authors Tom Cronogue Phil Lichtenberger Jim McNamara Mike Capoziello Don Prince Pete Silver Duane Welliver Tim Ivers Jeff O’Toole
Correspondents
Andrew Carpenter Ken Bradbury Chris Colletti Kevin Conn Lauren Cronemeyer Eric Devine Lauren Foschino Robert Garofalo Fred Kopf Paul Krussmann Tom Lambui Kevin Madigan Ralph Moniello Brian Olsen Dominic Orlando Chris Sabella Ron Schankin Chris Seidensticker Matt Thomas Kim Versheck John Walthers Cameron Wilken
Submit Stories and/or Photos to: FDRantNews@verizon.net Be sure to send contact information including name, phone number and email address.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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FD Rant News LONG ISLAND, NY
The #1 Publication for the Long Island Fire Service with the MOST and the BEST Coverage The Fall weather has arrived and with comes the annual hazards that affect the fire service each year. With home and business owners firing up their heating systems, we can almost be guaranteed of a spike in the number of oil burner emergencies, carbon monoxide alarms and fires associated with faulty heating systems as well as the use of alternative heating sources. The recent rise in the number of people using outdoor fire pits will definitely increase the number of “smoke in the area” calls thus increasing the number of responses by fire departments across Long Island. It is important to remember that the roads will soon be covered with leaves and, together with often wet roads; we must all be vigilant in driving to alarms in our personal vehicles as well as apparatus. As we move further into fall and eventually winter, daylight will also become less and less. And, of course, with Halloween closing out this month, extra care must be taken when responding as all of the little ghouls and goblins are out filling their bags with candy. In this month’s edition our monthly articles contain some simple, yet valuable, information about accountability and adapting to the ever-changing fire service here on Long Island. Mike Capoziello talks about certain failures that occur and the consequences that come along with them but he also offers some solutions to them as well. Using his own unique style, and of course ‘keeping it real’ with his unique sense of humor, Tom Cronogue raises some very interesting points about driving emergency vehicles and offers some points to consider when doing so. Finally, I threw my hat in the ring this month to bring you points to consider about life hazards in vacant and/or abandoned buildings and actions that should be considered while fighting fires in them. Finally, we would like to congratulate the following Nassau County Firecom personnel upon announcing their retirement and we would like to thank them for their years of service. Supervisor Paul Simon, Michael Ornauer-Dispatcher 30, Dispatcher Daniel Gilloon-Dispatcher 31 are all moving on to the next phase of their lives after having the Nassau County Fire Service for so many years. From all of us here at FD Rant News we would like to wish all three men the best of luck in their respective retirements. The Nassau County Fire Service will never be the same without these three veterans behind the microphone. As always, we would like to hear back from you. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at: FDRantNews@ verizon.net or call us at 516-852-4965.
Ex-Chief Jeff DiLavore Publisher
Click Here To Subscribe Now FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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FACES OF THE FIRE SERVICE Manorville members at a recent car fire
Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Scott Dalrymple [2-0-5] renders aid to a dog rescued from a fire in East Northport
Photo by Chris Sabella Glen Cove Firefighters after a recent Working Fire
Photo by Jeff DiLavore A member of Northport descends Ladder 2-9-7 at a recent fire in Kings Park
Photo by Andrew Carpenter
Ridge Members Relax waiting for their next event to start at Brush truck competition.
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
Photo by John Walthers
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FACES OF THE FIRE SERVICE FF Steven Januszkiewicz in command finds himself on other side of radio, we usually hear him as a Suffolk County FRES Dispatcher
A member of Commack operating on the scene of a recent fire in Kings Park
Photo by Chris Seidensticker
Photo by Kevin Conn Members of Brentwood Legion Ambulance on the scene of a recent building fire in Brentwood
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
Glen Cove Hook & Ladder Captain Cardenas & 3rd Assistant Chief Tate at a recent Department Dinner
Photo by Andrew Carpenter
The1st line crew takes a well deserved break after a recent fire in East Northport
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
The crew of Engine 4-1-4 at a recent fire in Kings Park
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
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MASTIC BEACH
Summer Shed Sizzler
Story and Photos by Kevin Conn On Saturday July 26, 2014, the Mastic Beach FD was activated for a residential structure fire at 56 West Parkview Ave. 2nd Assistant Chief Thomas Montrouil [5-13-32] was the first unit on scene and reported a fully involved shed fire to the rear of the yard. Upon Arrival of 5-13-2 the crew stretched a 1¾” hand line and made a quick knock down of the fire, but not before first hitting magnesium (presumably an engine) that was stored in the shed. Engine 3 [5-13-3] arrived and went to work on overhaul of the shed while MBFD Fire Police took control of the block on which the fire was on. Mastic Beach Ambulance also stood by during fire operations. Fire Marshall was requested to scene and the shed along with its contents were a total loss. All Units returned in service at approximately 0225 hours.
Editor’s Note: This story was to have appeared in our last edition but was inadvertently overlooked. Apologies to the author and the MBFD – Jeff D. Click Here for More Photos
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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FREEPORT
Holiday Weekend Begins with Overturn
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photograph At 07:50 hours on the morning of August 30th, the Freeport Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle with entrapment at the intersection of Atlantic and East Avenues. As units arrived on scene, they were met with a two vehicle accident with one auto overturned and no one trapped. The two drivers were the only occupants between the two vehicles. After a field evaluation was performed by EMS on scene, both drivers opted to not be transported. Freeport firefighters secured the autos and were released from the scene shortly after under authority of Freeport Second Assistant Chief Kenny Van Cott [2102]. The scene was left in the hands of Freeport Police.
Click Here for More Photos
FARMINGVILLE Crash Sparks Engine Fire
Story and photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography On the evening of Sunday August 31st, just after 6pm, two SUVs collided in front of the Brookhaven town hall on Independence drive and bicycle path in Farmingville. The force of the collision sent one car onto the lawn of a nearby residence. A small fire also started in the engine compartment of one of the vehicles which firefighters quickly suppressed. The drivers of both cars sustained injuries and Farmingville ambulances transported the patients to a local hospital for treatment.
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CORAM
Fish Tank Starts Blaze
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui - FD Rant News – LiHotShots Additional photos by Christopher Sabella – On Scene Photography
Photo by Tom Lambui
On Saturday August 30th, a fast moving fire gutted a two-story house on Howard Drive in Coram at approximately 16:15 hrs. The fire broke out while the family was at home and officials on the scene said the occupants were able to safely evacuate without injury. Coram Chief Tim Timms [5-6-30] was in charge of the scene. The cause of the fire was reported to be sparks from an aquarium circulation pump which set some curtains on fire. Mutual aid was provided from Middle Island, Gordon Heights, Selden, Miller Place and Mount Sinai Fire Departments. There were no reported injuries.
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Photo by Tom Lambui
Photo by Tom Lambui
Photo by Chris Sabela
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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WESTBURY
Firecom Bids Farewell to Three More Long Time Dispatchers Story and Photos by Gerard Gagliano
On September 12th, Nassau County Firecom saw three of their senior people hit the end of their Firecom career. Supervisor Paul Simon started at Firecom on September 7th 1983. At the time of his retirement Paul was the senior staff member. Prior to his years working at Firecom, Paul worked part time for the East Meadow Fire District and worked full time for Model Communications, so he had an extensive background in both dispatching and radio mechanics. Paul is a member of the East Meadow Fire Department, joining in 1976 and was Captain of Ladder 1 four times. In his Firecom career he was promoted to Supervisor in April of 1988, and was instrumental in making several technological advancements at Firecom including setting up the framework for sending information out to Fire Departments via Firetracker and Red Alert type systems. Paul regularly dealt with fire departments in updating procedures and overseeing the radio system. Supervisor Simon has many citations to his credit, and recalls among them being the Supervisor on Duty for the Avianca plane crash and on 9/11/2001. One of the more popular Firecom on-air personalities also to retire was Michael Ornauer-Dispatcher 30. Mike is known to virtually every member of the fire service here in Nassau, and throughout the State. Many know Mike from his work as a parade official and he can regularly be seen each summer announcing parades. Mike started his Firecom journey on June 6th 1988, having started out working as a dispatcher for the Levittown Fire Department in 1981, and also worked as a night dispatcher for the Freeport FD starting in 1979. Mike is an Ex-Captain of the Long Beach Fire Department and is involved in many areas of the fire service. Mike was among the first recipients of the staff awards given by the County for his efforts in staying on the phone with a woman who was threatening to commit suicide. He kept the woman on the phone until help arrived and prevented her from taking her life. Over the years he received a few more awards for help with things from Nor’easters to the Suffolk wildfires. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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One of the most difficult things he faced was being stuck Firecom during Superstorm Sandy as his house in Long Beach was going under water and not knowing what happened to his Mother who he last heard was still inside. Mike stayed and did his job, eventually finding out his Mother was rescued by the members of the Long Beach Fire Department. As for his plans after retirement, you can catch Mike at the Nassau County Fire Museum and you will probably hear him on the radio part time dispatching in the near future. The third member of Firecom to sign off from his career is Dispatcher Daniel Gilloon-Dispatcher 31. Danny also started his Firecom career in June 1988 after working for the Village of East Rockaway for several years. Danny is a member of the East Rockaway Fire Department where he is an Ex-Chief. Danny also worked for several years as a part time Dispatcher for the Long Beach Fire Department. Danny also has several citations for his work and will also be working at the Nassau County Fire Museum. We are sure his Firecom career has given him plenty of stories to tell about his fire service career. It is impossible to list all the accomplishments of these three individuals, as they are three of the last who saw Firecom from its early years into what it is now. We wish them all the best of luck in their retirement, and thank them for their service.
Editor’s note: From all of us here at FD Rant News we would like to wish all three men the best of luck in their respective retirements. The Nassau County Fire Service will never be the same without these three veterans behind the microphone – Jeff D. About the Author: Gerry Gagliano is a Supervisor at Nassau County Fire Communications and a member of Volunteer Hose Co. 4 of the Hicksville Fire Department where he is also an Ex-Captain and EMT. As well as Firecom, Gerry has worked for the Hicksville Fire District as a part time dispatcher for 14 years, and was the Fire District Supervisor for the Westbury Fire District before working at Firecom.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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EAST MEADOW Labor Day Working Fire
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography Late in the afternoon on Labor Day [September 1st] 2014, the East Meadow Fire Department was dispatched to an automatic alarm at 1464 Plum Lane off of Chestnut Lane. The run seemed like a standard automatic alarm that any fire department would be called to however, upon arrival, units were met with smoke showing from a one and a half story residence. The first chief to arrive on scene came on the air and transmitted a signal ninety eight [smoke showing]. As additional units arrived on scene and members continued their size up, they found fire inside of a first floor kitchen. The chief’s next radio transmission was a signal ten [working fire]. With the working fire transmitted, North Bellmore was notified for the FAST and responded to the scene with Ladder 658. East Meadow Engine 612, the first engine to arrive on scene, put two lines into operation to fight the fire. Joining them in front of the home was East Meadow Ladder 617, the first truck company to arrive on scene. Firefighters had the main body of fire knocked down within fifteen minutes and the scene was placed under control within forty minutes. All searches came up negative and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remained under investigation. Mutual aid was provided by the Wantagh, Levittown, Westbury, and North Merrick Fire Departments. All fire department units were under the command of East Meadow First Assistant Chief Jim Kane [6101]. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
Click Here for More Photos
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NORTH PATCHOGUE Early Morning Fire
Photos and Story by Chris Seidensticker CSeidPhotography.com On the morning of September 2nd, at around 03:06 hours, the North Patchogue Fire Department [5-17-0] was activated for a residential structure fire. Upon arrival, Chief Dan Doscher [5-17-30] requested a reactivation on the alarm for a working fire. The initial size up revealed a heavy fire load in the 1/4 corner of the 2 story private dwelling extending to the 2 side. Mutual aid was requested from the Patchogue and Hagerman fire departments; Patchogue for rapid intervention and Hagerman for an engine. After an aggressive attack, the main body of fire appeared to be knocked down around 0330 hours. All efforts went to controlling hotspots and overhaul, at 0415 hours 5-1730 transmitted a signal 4 [under control]. Click Here for More Photos
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BRENTWOOD Takes in HOT MVA!
Story and photos by Ken Bradbury
On Monday September 1st at 3AM the Brentwood Fire Department received notification of an MVA with Signal 14 [vehicle fire] with entrapment at the intersection of Wicks Road and Suffolk Avenue. HR 3-2-18 was first to arrive on the scene and reported a one car MVA with negative entrapment but a working car fire. The victim had self extricated themselves and was transported by Brentwood Legion Ambulance to Southside Hospital. Engine 3-215 arrived on scene to extinguish the blaze led by Captain Ernesto Figueroa. The units remained on scene for several hours until the vehicle could be removed from the utility pole.
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KINGS PARK
Fully Involved “Beemer” on the SMP Story by Jeff DiLavore – FD Rant News Photos by Deanna Carroll
On Friday morning September 5th, at approximately 0915 hours, the Kings Park Fire Department responded to the southbound Sunken Meadow Parkway just north of Pulaski Road for a reported car fire. Smithtown Communications [42-0] advised all responding units that he was receiving multiple calls for the job. Upon arrival of Assistant Chief Tim Clark [4-1-32], he advised of a fully involved auto. Assistant Chief James Purser [41-33] arrived on scene as well. When Engine 4-1-4 arrived on scene, the crew stretched an attack line and quickly knocked down the fire. Units were on scene for approximately 25 minutes.
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EAST NORTHPORT
Occupant and Multiple Pets Rescued at Daytime Job Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – FD Rant News
At 1440 hours on Thursday September 4th, the East Northport Fire Department was alerted for a residential structure fire on Barnett Place near Olympia Place. Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler [210-31] arrived on scene and advised East Northport Dispatch [2-10-0] that he had smoke showing from a residential dwelling and requested a re-tone for a working fire. Meanwhile, an occupant of the home was frantically trying to back into the home to rescue her dogs. Chief of Department Joe Ervin [2-10-30] hearing this transmission, advised 2-10-0 to notify Commack for a RIT. The crew on first due Engine 2-10-4 quickly stretched a 1¾” hand line and made an aggressive push on the heavy fire in the two story split ranch home. The occupant of the home was treated by East Northport EMS for smoke inhalation and serious burns and two Suffolk County Police Officers were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation. All three were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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LOCUST VALLEY Evening Propane Burnoff Story by Andrew Carpenter Over the Edge Photography Photos by Kenny Syrett
On September 7th, 2014 around 7:15pm, the Locust Valley Fire Department was alerted for a propane leak in the rear of a residence on Davis St. Upon arrival, Locust Valley units found a leaking propane tank attached to a grill that they could not stop. Chief Nolan [5400] immediately requested mutual aid from the Glen Cove Fire Department to respond with their propane burn off kit. Firefighters from Glen Cove Fire Department arrived on scene and disconnected the leaking tank from the grill and attached the tank to their burn off kit to begin the burn off process while a handline from Engine 544 provided protection. The tank was rendered safe in less than 30 minutes without further incident.
WESTBURY Overturn Story and photo by Kevin Madigan - K2M Photography
Click Here for More Photos
On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 10th, 2014, the Westbury Fire Department was alerted to a motor vehicle accident with overturn. Responding units were given the location of Railroad Avenue and Garden Street in the New Cassel section of their district. Upon arriving on scene, units were met with a single vehicle accident with negative entrapment. Firefighters tended to the spill emanating from the auto and ensured that there was no fire hazard. After securing the vehicle, firefighters were released from the scene. The driver of the auto was evaluated on scene by medical personnel and Nassau County Police were investigating the possibility of a second occupant who fled from the scene.
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TALKIN’ FIRE STUFF
“Have We Accepted Failure? Part 1” by Mike Capoziello
This month’s thoughts originated from the Nassau FD Rant forum website. These are expanded thoughts on a topic I “chimed” in on. As firefighters we hate failure. We do whatever we can to make the bad “stuff” happening to someone better. In the process we do everything we can to make sure what we do is professional and in the best interest of the needs at hand. Making mistakes and failing in our tasks and goals can be deadly. However there is a form of failure that for whatever reasons have become accepted practices of many volunteer fire departments on Long Island as well as across the country. What do I mean by this? Follow me for a moment. • A rig responding to an alarm gets into an accident. This leads to a delay in getting this particular piece of apparatus to the emergency; a failure of some sorts. The Chauffeur probably will have his driving privileges taken away for some amount of time. Maybe some re-training will take place. However, a failure, which someone will take the responsibility for and corrective measures are taken so this won’t happen again. • While stretching a line to the fire there is a substantial delay in getting the line charged. The hydrant man did a butcher job on hitting the hydrant, screwed it all up, leading to a major delay. A failure and a fireground embarrassment witnessed by many. The person involved after getting their balls broke to no end, will go back to training and learn what they did wrong and hopefully it will never happen again. Once again, someone is held accountable for this failure. • Your dispatcher types in the wrong address into the CAD system for whatever reason. Mistakes happen; after all, they are human too. This leads to an 8 minute delay before the correct address can be figured out. Luckily it’s nothing serious but, a failure none the less and totally unacceptable. The Chiefs will complain to whomever they need to and a letter will probably be written. It will be put in the persons file and some re-training will take place, maybe even a loss of time or pay in some cases. End result: somebody is held responsible and the mistakes-failures are expected not to repeat themselves any time soon. Are you with me so far? I’m sure we can all come up with dozens of other failures that can and do happen on the fireground every day. And we can all agree (or I hope we can) that when these failures occur we do everything in our power to pin point what went wrong, who was involved or responsible and try our hardest to make sure the particular mistakes/failures never happen again. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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But there is one failure that occurs every day somewhere across the volunteer fire service on Long Island. A failure that for some reason we have become immune to. The failure is delays in responses to alarms. Every day you hear re-tones, re-calls, second and third alerts, mutual aids or whatever your particular agency calls for before you can get a rig to a fire or an ambulance to an aided case. Having an ambulance arrive on scene 30 minutes after the phone call is received is a failure. Having an Engine arrive on scene 20 minutes after an alarm is received is a failure. Yet these circumstances are tolerated and allowed to happen, sometimes multiple times in one day for the same department. It’s a failure waiting 10 minutes before mutual aid is requested because a particular department’s procedures state to do so. Your dispatcher may know you could not get out for the 2 alarms prior but cannot initiate mutual aid because these procedures are in place. It’s a failure for a department that may have 7 pieces of apparatus but only barely able to get ONE out during the day for an alarm. It’s a failure for a department that may have only 10 interior firefighters not to have an automatic mutual aid system in place 24/7. If you’re a Chief in a department like this it all falls on your shoulders to do something about this situation. Like it or not you will be the one held accountable for these failures, just as you look to find out who was responsible and who you will hold accountable in other fireground mishaps. It’s also part of your job to do something about it; there comes an extra level of responsibility when you raise your hand in a Chief Officer’s position. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, it’s not all about the Chiefs SUV and transmitting the working fires over the radio. Sometimes it’s about making hard choices that may not be popular; however, you can’t lose focus of the reason we are here….to respond to the public’s emergencies in a timely matter. Same day service is not acceptable. Next time we will look at a few ways that may help this situation. Things you can do immediately sand some other things that may take some time to accomplish. Mike Capoziello is a 28 year member of Hook and Ladder Co. #2 and former Chief [2011-12] of the Elmont FD. He serves as a Department Training Officer, Public Information Officer and Historian. He has 20 plus years’ experience as a houseman and dispatcher in various Nassau County departments and is currently a Supervising dispatcher with Nassau County Firecom, training officer for the Fieldcom unit, member of the Nassau County Fire Service Critical Incident Stress team for the past 11 years and is a liaison for the team to the Nassau County Fire Commission.
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KINGS PARK Roll Over MVA
Story and Photos by Chris Seidensticker – CseidPhotography.com
Late Monday night, September 15th, The Kings Park Fire Department [4-1-0] was toned out for a report of a Signal 16/23 MVA. Initial reports stated Roll over with ejection. First units on scene came to find a white 4-door car on its roof, with the engine separated from the vehicle. Under the direction of Chief Daniel Guilfoil [4-1-30] the members rendered aid to the patient, took control of the scene and secured a landing zone for the medevac. Suffolk PD Helicopter 3 transported the patient to Stony Brook Medical Center.
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SMITHTOWN/KINGS PARK Kayaker Plucked from River
Story and Photos by Jeff Bressler-Smithtown FD PIO On Sunday September 7th, the Smithtown Fire Department was toned out for a signal 23 [water rescue] in the vicinity of 140 Oakside Drive on the Nissequogue River. A solo kayaker who launched from River Road in Nissequogue got bogged down in low tide and needed assistance to exit the River. Smithtown set up command from its side of the River and observed a second kayaker who made it to the scene. He was able to secure the kayak and rider who needed assistance and guided her towards shore. Due to the low tide and difficulty accessing the shore from the River, Rescue 4-29 opened an extension ladder and lowered it towards the river so the two kayakers could make their way onto shore safely. In anticipation of encountering greater difficulty, SFD accessed their rescue boat. Suffolk PD Aviation dispatched a helicopter to the scene if an air rescue was necessary. On scene was Chief Steven Sisino [4-2-30] and Kevin Fitzpatrick [4-233], Rescue 4-2-9, Engine 4-2-4, Fire Police 10A and Ambulance 4-2-62..
Editor’s Note: Prior to the response of the Smithtown Fire Department to this incident, the Kings Park Fire Department had responded to a report of a person trapped in the mud further north on the Nissequogue River. Under direction of Chief John Gallo [4-1-31], they responded with their Boat 4-1-19 and also requested the Northport Fire Department to respond with their small boat as well. When subsequent calls clarified the victim’s location, Chief Gallo advised to have Smithtown to respond.
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HICKSVILLE
Morning Rush to a Working Fire Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
The Hicksville FD was activated for a dumpster fire at the Hicksville Rail Road Station just before 7am on Monday, September 8th, 2014. Upon Arrival of 9304, the request for a signal 10 was transmitted as the dumpster fire had spread to a nearby storage shed. To further complicate the scenario, the storage shed was located under the south side train platform for the LIRR and was also adjoining the escalator room for the escalator running above the fire. The first Hicksville FD unit, Engine 937, responded hitting the hydrant and stretching a 1 ž� line to extinguish the fire. Engines 932,934, Heavy Rescue 938 and Fire Police Unit 9316 also responded to the scene. Meanwhile, mutual aid response was requested from Westbury 963 [Ladder 3], Syossett 582 [Ladder 2] as FAST and Jericho 943 [Engine 3] to stand by at Hicksville Fire Headquarters. A quick Knock down was made by Engine 937 and a signal 12 [under control] was transmitted about 15 minutes into the alarm. Extension was minimal, limiting fire damage to the immediate area. Nassau County Fire Marshall was requested and responded to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.
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UNIONDALE
After Facing Heat at Fires, Ladder 7544 Cooled Down at Wet Down
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan - K2M Photography On the night of June 6th, 2014 the Uniondale Fire Department was dispatched to 750 Jerusalem Avenue for a reported apartment fire. Upon arriving on scene, units were met with smoke showing. Soon after arrival, the signal ten [working fire] was transmitted. This would be the first fire for the new Ladder 7544 – a 2014 Seagrave Marauder II Aerial Tandem Quint. Nine days after Ladder 7544’s inaugural working fire, it was among units dispatched to a reported house fire on Locust Avenue. Ladder 7544 was the first unit to pull first due to what was a working basement fire and went on to stretch the first two lines at the Father’s Day operation. Less than a month later, Ladder 7544 was on the scene of a Union Drive working fire in Uniondale. On that scene the ladder was able to take to the front of the home and begin taking out windows to assist in venting. The new Uniondale Ladder 7544 saw at least three working fires before it could be properly wet down and dedicated, however, the time would come for this ceremony and the day was Sunday, September 7th. On that day members of Uniondale Protection Company 4, who operate the ladder, were present along with members of their department and various other departments. At the ceremony the older Ladder 7544 [a 1996 Seagrave] was officially retired after a long and busy tenure with the Seventh Battalion based department. The new ladder was dedicated, blessed, and then given a proper wet down in front of its Uniondale Avenue firehouse. Among the departments on hand for the event were Roosevelt, Hempstead, East Meadow, Syosset, Merrick, West Hempstead, and South Hempstead among others. The new ladder was made possible by a truck committee and board of commissioners who worked tirelessly to ensure the rig’s completion. The best of luck to the Uniondale Fire Department Click Here for More Photos going forward with this new piece of apparatus. .
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KINGS PARK
Abandoned Warehouse Inferno
Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore-FD Rant News
On Wednesday September 10th, at 0649 hours, the Kings Park Fire Department was alerted for a brush fire across from Shanahan’s Bar on Old Dock Road. Upon arrival of Assistant Chief John Gallo [4-1-31], he advised Smithtown Communications [4-2-0] that he had a working building fire on the grounds of the old Kings Park Psychiatric Center in Building 44 and requested a re-tone on the alarm. Chief Gallo set up a command post adjacent to the building and requested mutual for a RIT from Commack, an engine and ladder from Northport and Smithtown with an engine to the scene. Because there were no working hydrants in the immediate vicinity of the fire building a tanker from Nissequogue was also requested to the scene. After locating a working hydrant approximately 1000 feet from the building, supply lines were stretched to feed the first due Engine 4-1-2 and also Tower Ladder 4-1-7. An early interior attack was abandoned and exterior operations began. A second hydrant was well over 3000 feet to the south on Old Dock Road near Flynn Road and additional engines were brought to the scene to set up a long relay to the units operating on the fireground. Engines from Smithtown, East Northport, Northport and Commack laid almost 4000 feet of large diameter hose into the scene to feed the tower ladders operating. Northport Tower Ladder 2-9-7 and Commack Ladder 2-111, along with Tower Ladder 4-1-7 took positions on each side of the building and began master stream operations. The Commack VAC and the Greenlawn Fire Department each sent an ambulance to the scene. After knocking down most of the large volume of fire, a crew breached a hole through the brick and cement wall to gain access to the seat of the fire. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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Once the hole was opened crews were able to knock down the remaining fire. A payloader from the Town of Smithtown was brought to the scene to further open up the side of the building so the remaining hot spots could be extinguished completely. In addition to the units on scene, Suffolk County Fire Coordinators Larry Schneckenburger [4-0-1], Bob DeMoustes [4-0-3] and C.W. Swabe [FC 51] were on scene to assist with the operation along with the Suffolk County PD, NYS Parks Police, Town of Smithtown Fire Marshal, Suffolk County PD Arson, NYS Fire Marshal and Town of Smithtown DPW. The cause of the fire was deemed to be suspicious and an investigation is ongoing. Standby units included St James Engine, Nesconset Ladder and Brentwood Legion Ambulance at Kings Park Fire Department headquarters during the alarm. The fire was declared under control at approximately 1130 hours. There were no injuries reported and all units were released by 1230 hours.
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HOLBROOK Trailer Home Fire
Story and photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography On September 7th, just before 10pm, Holbrook firefighters responded to a fully involved house trailer in the Bunker Hill trailer park. Upon arrival, firefighters went to work, stretching multiple handlines and made quick work of the blaze. Due to the size of the blaze, crews were also tasked with protecting surrounding homes and put lines to work on the exposures. The owners were not home at the time and no injuries were reported. SCPD arson squad responded and deemed the fire to be accidental.
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MASTIC
Washdown of Washer Fluid Yields Brand New Probie Nozzle Time Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
On Monday September 8, 2014 at 0925 hours, the Mastic Fire Department was activated for a fuel spill at scene of a motor vehicle accident at Lawrence Road and The Green. Engine 5-12-1 and Fire Police 5-12-80 responded with Firefighter Twiggy Bender as the acting OIC. Upon arrival of units FF Bender determined that the fluids were nothing more than windshield washer fluid and requested Engine 1 to stretch a booster line in lieu of spreading speedy dry. The nozzle was then turned over to a brand new Probie Tony Bailey who got his first experience with use of the nozzle. Click Here for More Photos
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MANORVILLE
Buick Burns Close to House Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
Manorville Fire Department was activated for a vehicle fire at 238 North Titmus Drive on Tuesday September 9, 2014 at approximately 2020 hours. Manorville 1st Assistant Chief D’Amato [5-16-31] was first on scene and advised Chief Howie Snow [5-16-30] he had fire showing and it was close to the house. Engine 3 [5-16-3] was first on scene and stretched two 1¾” lines and quickly knocked down the vehicle fire, as well as cooling off the vinyl siding on the side of the house which had started to melt from the radiant heat created from the vehicle fire. Engine 7 [5-16-7] also responded as well as Fire Police. All units were returning to quarters about 35 minutes after the original activation.
Click Here for More Photos
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GLEN COVE
Chemical Fire at a Water Treatment Plant
Story by Andrew Carpenter – Over the Edge Photography Photos courtesy of the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office - Public Affairs Unit
Click Here for More Photos On Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 9:28am, the Glen Cove Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a fire at the Waste Water Treatment Plant on Morris Ave. Upon arrival, the crew of Engine 525 entered the building and encountered a fire involving chemicals on a pallet. The crews quickly backed out of the building and Chief Solomito [5200] immediately requested the Hicksville HazMat Team and the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s (NCFM) HazMat Team to respond. All members who entered the building and were exposed to the fumes from the chemical fire received full decontamination in the NCFM DECON Trailer. The NCFM HazMat Team then removed the affected chemical containers from the building. The cause of the chemical release and mixture was determined to be from a worker puncturing a drum of chemicals with a forklift.
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WILLISTON PARK
Sunday Morning Drill Helps Keep Firefighters Ready Story and photo by Kevin Madigan - K2M Photography
Click Here for More Photos
On the morning of Sunday, September 14th, the Williston Park Fire Department conducted a vehicle extrication and fire drill in the town pool parking lot located off of Broad Street. Firefighters began the drill by utilizing extrication tools off of [Light] Rescue 864 and removing the front doors from the auto. A member was placed inside the passenger side of the vehicle to act as a victim. Once the “victim� was extricated, he was tended to by Williston Park Fire Department medical personnel and loaded onto a backboard. After members concluded the extrication scenario, the vehicle was then lit to simulate a car fire scenario. Firefighters had two lines stretched and in operation off of Engine 861 for this evolution. Upon extinguishing, the fire members put saws and other hand tools into use for the overhaul process. The Sunday morning drill was overseen by Williston Park Chief of Department Gary Smithing [8600] with Assistant Chiefs Gagliardi and Sais [8601 and 8602] also present.
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MIDDLE ISLAND Daytime Work
Stories and Photos by Chris Sabella - On Scene Photography
Early Wednesday morning on Sept 17, firefighters from Middle Island were activated for a commercial fire on Middle Country Road and Swezey Road. It was reported to be an auto body shop with heavy smoke and visible flames. First arriving units established the fire was in fact an old abandon house to the rear of the auto body shop which was fully involved. Firefighters using multiple hand lines were able to bring the blaze to a quick halt but most of the structure was totally consumed. Firefighters began to overhaul about 20 minutes into the blaze as a signal 4 was transmitted. No injuries were reported and all units took up about 45 minutes to 1 hour later.
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LOCUST VALLEY
Wetdown for Two New Engines
Story and Photos by Andrew Carpenter – Over the Edge Photography
Click Here for More Photos On Saturday, September 20th, 2014, the Locust Valley Fire Department held a ceremonial wetdown and dedication of their two newest pieces of apparatus. Engine Company 1 and Engine Company 2 recently received new 2014 Class A Pierce pumpers with a combined capacity of 1300 gallons of water and 2,000 gallon per minute pumps. The two new pumpers, 543 for Engine Company 1 and 545 for Engine Company 2, are replacing both companies’ previous pumpers, which were both due for replacement. After a dedication ceremony led by Chief Nolan [5400], members from many surrounding 5th Battalion departments came out in support of Locust Valley and participated in the wetdown of both pumpers. Good luck to Locust Valley Fire Department with their 2 new pieces of Apparatus, 543 & 545.
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GLEN COVE
Annual Department Inspection and Awards
Story and Photos by Andrew Carpenter – Over the Edge Photography On Saturday, September 13th, 2014, the Glen Cove Fire Department held its annual Inspection of Companies at the Glen Cove Fire House. This year, 50-year member and Ex-Captain of Engine & Hose Company #4 William “Bill” Miller was honored for his years of service. In addition to being an Ex-Captain, Bill served as the Department’s Secretary for many years. Local and State politicians presented Bill with various awards and citations for his service. In addition to the awards for Ex-Captain Miller, Glenwood Fire Company Ex-Chief William Hartigan was honored for his assistance at a recent fire in Glen Cove. On his way home from work, Ex-Chief Hartigan witnessed a column of smoke coming from a residential area and decided to investigate the source. He arrived to find a working house fire with occupants in the process of evacuating. Ex-Chief Hartigan assisted the residents of the multi-family home with the evacuation and remained on scene to help at the command post. Rounding out the awards, the inspection awards were awarded to 2 companies of the department. The award for “Firefighters in Line” went to the Hook & Ladder Company while the award for “Best Appearing” went to Chemical Company #1.
Click Here for More Photos Editor’s Note: From all of us here at the FD Rant News, we would like to congratulate the members who received recognition for their service and thank them for their dedication. Job well done fellas. – Jeff D.
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DEER PARK
Familiar Address for Another Working Fire Story and photos by Ken Bradbury Additional Photos from Deer Park FD Photo Unit
On Sunday, September 14th, the Deer Park Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in a vacant dwelling on Cayuga Avenue. This location was the scene of another working fire in July of this year as well. Captain Joseph Sheehan [1-4-52] was first on the scene advising Chief Lawrence Bradbury [1-4-30] that the second floor of the building was fully involved. Chief Bradbury advised Babylon Central Fire Alarm [1-0-0] to reactivate and start the mutual aid plan that included Dix Hills, North Babylon, Wyandanch, Brentwood, and Wyandanch VAC. An exterior attack was ordered as it was confirmed that the building was unoccupied. Ladder 1-4-10 was positioned directly in front and quelled the blaze quickly so that teams could begin the overhaul process. All units where on scene for 90 minutes.
Click Here for More Photos
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KINGS
Members of Kings Park set up for a tower ladder operation at a recent fire in a FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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S PARK
a vacant warehouse on the ground of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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THE BACK OF THE BUS You Like That Wheel, Huh?
by Tom Cronogue “...and it’s got air horns and a “Q” and one of those really cool electric sirens that sound like two sirens...and the LIGHTS! You should see the LIGHTS!”
You know this guy. Siren on “Yelp” as the bay door is going up, laying on the air horns until you can’t hear yourself think. The most important part of the bus is the flashy, noisy “Look at ME!” stuff. Just look at You Tube and all the buffy videos of Engine Dis-Dat or Da-Udder ‘Responding’. I have to admit I suffer from that same bit ‘o mental illness. I probably should move to Connecticut and get a job as a test pilot for Whelan. That having been said, a light and sound show does not a lifesaver make. That having been said, we know we love to drive fast, make noise and get looked at. It’s all fun and games...until someone loses an eye. By the way...that was the only actual rule of the Roman Gladitorial contests...no eye gouging... If someone has dialed 911, they did so because something really bad is happening, something they can’t handle and need one (or a bunch of...) the shepherds to fix. Y’know, ‘There’s a Holdup in the Bronx, Brooklyn’s Broken Out in Strikes, There’s a Traffic Jam in Harlem That’s Backed Up to Wheatley Heights, There’s a Scout Troop Short a Child, Kruschev’s Due at Idelwild...2366 Where Are You?’ They didn’t call so that you could take a million dollar ladder truck halfway to the scene of their little disaster. Florida used to put “ARRIVE ALIVE” on their license plates. Guys love to drive. I love to drive. I like having that wheel in my hands and those pedals under my feet. You’re much cooler than the kids sitting sideways in the back. Chicks dig it. Sometimes, getting the wheel is a matter of survival. You know what happened the last time we let HIM drive. I Had an EVOC Sgt. tell us once, “As a cop, you can break any law except the Laws of Physics. To do that, you need a blue light.” Anybody who’s ever ridden with me knows I’ve got a lead foot and not a lot of use for the brake pedal in my private life. Driving the bus however, is a whole different story. At the risk of sounding like a drama queen, lives hang in the balance. No. Really. Literally. Do it wrong and a whole bunch of people can die. There are four schools of emergency vehicle operation (Hey, Vern! Four? I thought there was only three…Five-Oh, the Big Red Trux and the Band-Aid Box!” Let’s go through them, and their philosophies. First, there are our friends in the military. Not noted for their lights and sirens, as the roof mounted .50 caliber requests the right of way loud and clear...and if you DON’T get out of the way, that Abrams’ll go right over you. Why go around something when you can just blast a hole in it or drive over it? Don’t care how loud your siren is, you’ll never be as cool as some 19-year-old crushing opposing traffic in a tank. Next comes law enforcement emergency driving. Not as aggressive as your average tracked vehicle crushing an enemy village, but it’s up there. You get to do nifty stuff like drive as fast as the ponies take you, ram people and skid...a lot of skidding. The four wheel drift in an Interceptor is a truly cool moment.
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Thirdly, there’s the driving of the fire truck. No ramming. Ramming with the engine, bad thing. The simple physics of the vehicle, big, high, with a tank full of sloshing water dictate its prudent operation...if you have a lick of common sense. Unfortunately, common sense doesn’t seem to be so common anymore. Over the weekend, in another state, I watched an engine blow a traffic light at about 60MPH. Never hit the brakes once. He got away with it through the Grace of God. All it would have taken is one driver who missed the light and sound show and somebody else’s name would have gone up on the wall. Last, is us. Ambulance driving is the least aggressive form of emergency vehicle operation there is. Its cargo is precious; the sick and injured. Unlike law enforcement and fire, something is always going on while we’re driving. We’ve got to care for the aideds while we’re going to the ED. We shouldn’t be, but we’re up and about while we’re moving, getting stuff, going for the radio, doing CPR...the list is endless. At least we make it endless and don’t seem interested in changing anything to make it safer. Trying to get you guys to wear belts in the back is like shoveling water with a pitchfork. I can’t say it “Hi! Wanna hand me the mike? Thanks a lot. Hi any simpler. Do it or die. this is car um...what number are we?” Officer Mount: FIVE - FIVE
The Lucas at work.
BM: This is car fifty five..we’re in a truck! Let’s look at one simple, vital task: CPR. Ask Ed Stapleton and he’ll tell you long and eloquently that perfect CPR makes the difference between life and death in the viable patient. Surprised? The Heart Association has been saying this for a while now. Y’know, all that stuff you heard in your CPR class...more compressing, less bagging, switch every two minutes so you don’t fatigue, fast and deep...yada, yada, yada...Mechanical CPR is now the standard. Why? It does perfect CPR. It does it safely. It raises your save rate. “Geezer Squeezers” enable your crew to stay belted while it does the heavy lifting for you. You can survive an accident. Do we have one on our ambulance? Some squads do, but, “...y’know, their pretty expensive”, says the Board of Directors that just spent 70 grand on a chief’s car.
We never expect an ambulance accident. Nobody gets behind the wheel saying. “Let’s go hit something!”. Nonetheless, annually, a bunch of people are killed by vehicles with Stars of Life prominently displayed thereupon. One ambulance vendor I know kept three nose clips for a local squad’s ambulances on the shelf. They averaged 13 accidents a year, often running into one another. They didn’t really learn too much from the experiences. As time progressed, many of their members sought and obtained employment with other squads as EMTs and medics and took their driving skills with them. People don’t see lights. People don’t hear sirens. They’re not real impressed with your mighty steed. They’ve got more on their minds than you and your patient. We’ll talk more about this as time goes on. Hope you’re around to read the next one. Love you all dearly. Don’t want to scrape you up. Don’t want to lay you down. The ground’s getting cold. You don’t want to be in it.
The Zoll Auto Pulse
Chief Thomas Cronogue (ret.) served more than two decades as an officer in the Wyandanch-Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp, one of Long Island’s busiest. He began his career as a member of the Deer Park Fire Department in 1969. He served with West Babylon FD, Wyandanch Fire Co., Martin Luther King, Jr. Rescue Squad and WWHAC. Professionally, he is a retired Police Officer serving 29 Years with the Nassau County PD. He worked in the Seventh, Special Services Bureau (later ESB) and the C.I.C in the Fire Police Academy in NUMC. Following retirement, he worked for the DPFD, running their career EMS program as EMS Director. Talk to him at Ocrainaugh@AOL.com
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BRENTWOOD
Another Working fire at an Abandoned Hospital Building Story and photos by Ken Bradbury Additional Photos by Jeff DiLavore
Click Here for More Photos On Sunday, September 14th the Brentwood Fire Department was alerted for a report of a structure fire in one of the abandoned buildings at the Pilgrim Physiatric Center located at 998 Crooked Hill Road. The first arriving Chief on scene was 3rd Assistant Chief John Boyle [3-2-33] and he observed heavy smoke coming from the building which formerly housed the facilities Laundry division. Chief Boyle transmitted the working fire and the crew from Engine 2 made an interior attack. Mutual aid departments included Commack, Central Islip, East Brentwood and Deer Park. EMS support was provided by Brentwood Legion VAC. This incident was the first alarm for Brentwood’s new Aerial Ladder, 3-2-28 responded to and the unit was quickly put to work. The interior crews discovered that two fires where intentionally set and arson and the State Fire Marshall where summoned. Units remained on the scene for 90 minutes until secure.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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RIDGE
Brush Truck Competition Ends in Draw.
Story and Photos by John Walthers – FD Rant News / Suffolk Fire Photos
On Saturday September 20th the Patchogue fire department held its 2nd Annual brush truck training competition. This year’s event was held at the Town Of Brookhaven's Fireman's Park in Ridge. This competition brought together more departments then last year; with a total 15 departments (17 Teams) from all over Suffolk County testing their skills and competing in a total of 5 events. This year’s competition included 5 events in total; The in the Woods Competition on the pine barrens trail, The Truck Rescue, Head Hunter, Midnight Alarm and the relay from last year. The events took the department teams several hours to complete. After the events were over Ronnie Lang from the Patchogue Fire Department thanked all the teams and spectators for coming out and participating. Overall it was a very successful day of fun and learning for all.
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The Winners of some of the Trophies Were
Truck Rescue 1st place Yaphank Team #1 , 2nd Place Middle Island 1 , 3rd place Farmingville Into the Woods 1st - North sea 2nd- Manorville 3rd Farmingville. Head Hunter 1st place Middle Island Team 1 2nd place Farmingville 3rd place Middle Island Team 2
Overall 1st place had a tie between Middle Island Team 1 and Farmingville 3rd place was Yaphank Team 1 The best appearance award went to North Sea. A Special thanks to Chief's Office and the Patchogue Fd Brush truck Committee for inviting us down.
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KINGS PARK
Late Night House Fire
Story and Photos by Chris Seidensticker – CseidPhotography.com
Click Here for More Photos Sunday September 21st 2014 at around 10pm , The Kings Park Fire Department [4-1-0] was toned out for the report of a structure fire on Carlson Avenue. Chief Daniel Guilfoil [4-1-30] reporting a two story private dwelling with heavy smoke. Under the chiefs direction dispatch re-toned for a 13-35, and mutual aids requested from both the Commack Fire Department [2-11-0] for a fast team and the Smithtown Fire Department [4-2-0] to stand by. Fire was brought under control. No injuries were reported.
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APPARATUS OF THE FIRE SERVICE Northport Ladder 2-9-7 in operation at a recent fire in Kings Park
Kings Park Engine 4-1-2 and Ladder 4-1-7 operate at a recent warehouse fire
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
Photo by Jeff DiLavore Hicksville, Westbury and Syosset all operated at a recent fire at the Hicksville LIRR station
Smithtown Engine 4-2-4 at a recent call
2 plus 2 equals Brentwood Company 2 apparatus [3-2-2 and 3-2-12] operating at a recent working fire
Ridge Tanker parked at Brush Competition 9-20
Photo by John Walthers
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
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APPARATUS OF THE FIRE SERVICE Mastic Ambulance at a Mototcycle MVA 8-31-14
Photo by John Walthers
Commack Ladder 2-11-1 operates at a recent fire in Kings Park
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
Nissequogue Tanker 4-5-4 arrives on the scene of a recent fire in Kings Park
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
East Northport Engine 2-10-4 in operation at a recent house fire
Photo by Jeff DiLavore Hampton Bays Rescue Pumper
Photo by Chris Sabela
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BALDWIN
Slick Roads Sends Car into Bakery Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography
At 07:07 hours on the morning of September 21st, 2014 the Baldwin Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident with a reported car into a building at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Garfield Road. The call was originally called in by a New Hyde Park Chief who was in the area and called in the accident reporting a person trapped within the auto. When Baldwin units arrived on scene they confirmed the pin and immediately put the tool into operation. Within minutes firefighters had the driver extricated from her auto and were loading her onto a back board. The driver was the lone occupant inside the vehicle and no other autos were involved in the accident. Slick roads from overnight and morning rain were believed to be a contributing factor in the accident. Once the victim was transported and the vehicle secured all fire department units were released from the scene. Baldwin units were under the command of Baldwin Third Deputy Chief Frank Cesare [2053]. Nassau County ESU Units 2421 and 2424 were also on the scene of the Sunday morning accident. No one inside the building was injured.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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LEVITTOWN
Two for the Price of One: Levittown Holds Dual Wetdown
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan / K2M Photography On Sunday, September 21st, 2014 the Levittown held a wet down ceremony for Engines 622 and 625 – both Pierce Impels. The event was held at Levittown Fire Headquarters located at 120 Gardiners Avenue and saw each rig from the Levittown Fire Department present as well as units from the East Meadow and Williston Park Fire Departments. The engines are based out of Levittown Station 2 located on Hickory Lane off of Bittersweet Lane. The best of luck to the Levittown Fire Department with these two new engines.
Click Here for More Photos
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SELDEN
Probie Time
Stories and Photos by Chris Sabella Sunday September 21st in the evening hours Selden’s volleys responded to an unknown type fire in the Boyle Road Park. Chief Mike Matteo arrived on scene to find a garbage pail on fire. Armed with his extinguisher he went to work quickly knocking down the blaze and leaving just enough work for 5th generation Probationary Firefighter Carman to mop up. Probationary Firefighter Carman stretched a booster line from 5-25-10 and proceed to mop up the scene. All units were given a Signal 5 by Chief of Department Joe Leavens about ten minutes into the alarm.
MASTIC
Two Car Whammy
Stories and Photos by John Walthers - Suffolk Fire Photos On Saturday September 20th at about 7:55pm, the Mastic Fire Department was activated to respond to an MVA with reported entrapment at the intersection of Mastic Road and Hawthorne Street. Mastic Assistant Chief Rudy Sunderman Jr. [5-12-31] was the first to respond to the scene. On arrival, he advised his responding rescue truck that the occupants were all out of the vehicles. Chief Sunderman then told the crew to secure the batteries as well as place speedy dry on the roadway due to fluids being spilled on the ground. Fire Police was also ordered to close the roadway near Riverside and divert traffic on to the side streets. EMS evaluated the occupants and advised there were no life threatening injuries. Most of the units took up from the scene within a half hour of the initial activation.
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GLEN COVE
Early Morning House Fire
Story and Photos by Andrew Carpenter – Over the Edge Photography
On Monday, September 22nd, 2014 at 5:30am, the Glen Cove Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a house fire on the corner of Glen St and Elm Ave. 1st Assistant Chief Grella [5201] was first on scene and found heavy fire in the front of the residence. Facing a heavy fire load in the front of the house, Chief Grella requested a Signal 10 (Working Fire) be transmitted. Initial reports were received of occupants trapped in the building but it was determined that the house was vacant. Engine 528 was first due and stretched a 1¾” line to the front of the building. In total, 3 hand lines were stretched to extinguish the fire in the attic, first and second floor. The fire was extinguished within an hour and extensive overhaul was conducted. The fire is still under investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office.
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SELDEN
Another Motorcycle Crash Story and Photos by Chris Sabella
Early Monday night, September 22, 2014, the Selden Fire Department was activated for a 16-23 motorcycle MVA at Boyle Road and Route 25 [Middle Country Road]. Initial reports stated that CPR was in progress as the rider was thrown 20-30 feet from the spot of the collision. The first unit arrived to find the rider conscious and alert. Firefighters secured the car and the motorcycle and packaged the rider for transport to University Hospital in Stony Brook.
BROOKHAVEN and SHIRLEY AMBULANCE Overturned Van Takes Out Poles and Wires Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
At Approximately 0030 hours on September 24, 2014, the Brookhaven Fire Department and Shirley Ambulance were activated for an overturned vehicle on the southbound side of William Floyd Parkway at Ridgewood Drive in Shirley. Brookhaven Assistant Chiefs Thomas Connors [5-3-31] and Giuseppe Loiacono [5-3-32] arrived at scene along with SCPD 7th Pct to find that a van had overturned taking out two poles and downing wires across both roadways, making it necessary to close the southbound lanes of William Floyd Parkway as well as Ridgewood Drive. Brookhaven FD Rescue 4 [5-3-4], responded to the scene, found that the van was unoccupied and using thermal imaging cameras searched the wooded area for anyone who may have been thrown from the van yielding negative results. There was no transport by Shirley Ambulance. All units returned to respective stations. PSEG arrived, SCPD kept the roadways closed into the morning rush hour and until PSEG was able to repair the damage and restore power to the area.
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HUNTINGTON MANOR Passerby Spots Flames From Home
Story and Photos by Chris Seidensticker – CseidPhotography.com
Click Here for More Photos On September 23, 2014 at around 0005hours, the Huntington Manor Fire Department [2-40] was toned out to the report of the structure fire on Woodhull Road. Chief Fred Steenson [24-30] and department members rolled up on a single story private dwelling with fire to the 2-3 corner. An aggressive attack quickly knocked down the body of fire. Checks for fire extension were unfounded. The department was assisted with mutual aids requested from both the Huntington Fire Department [2-3-0] for a FAST and the Melville Fire Department [2-5-0] to stand by. Huntington First Aid Squad [2-15-0] brought an ambulance to the scene, reportedly one aided for a minor burn.
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RIVERHEAD and MANORVILLE AMBULANCE Car into Trees Ejects One, Traps Two Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
On September 23, 2014 at about 2249 hours, the Manorville Ambulance was first activated for a motor vehicle accident along with SCPD car 705 with possible entrapment at Pinehurst Boulevard and Nugent Drive in Calverton. Soon after, the Riverhead Fire Department was activated for the same call, along with Riverhead PD. Upon arrival of Riverhead Fire Chief Joeseph Raynor [6-2-30], Heavy Rescue [6-2-11] was requested to respond to the scene for Hurst tools. In addition to Heavy Rescue, Assistant Chiefs Kevin Brooks [6-2-31], Pete Jackman [6-2-32] and Engines 6-2-2, 6-24 and Riverhead PD responded to the scene as well. Manorville Ambulance responded with two ambulances and Riverhead VAC responded with one ambulance to the scene. Crews found one occupant had been ejected from the vehicle while two others were trapped in the vehicle. Ambulance crews tended to the injured as Riverhead crews put their Hurst tools into operation to free the two trapped occupants. 6-2-30 and Engine 6-22 departed the scene and responded to the sod farm on Edwards Avenue, north of the Long Island Expressway, to set up a landing zone for SCPD Helicopter 3 that was requested to medevac one of the injured. One of the occupants was transported to the LZ by Manorville Ambulance, from which SCPD Helicopter 3 flew to Stony Brook University Hospital. The remaining occupants were transported by Manorville and Riverhead VAC Ambulances also to Stony Brook University Hospital. SCPD Crime scene was requested to the scene due to the serious physical injuries. Riverhead FD was requested to respond back to the scene with a light truck to assist SCPD during investigation 6-2-31, 6-2-32, 6-2-3 and 6-2-9 responded. After the scene investigation SCPD Wrecker 7 impounded the vehicle involved at which time northbound Nugent Dr. was reopened.
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CENTEREACH Multiple Vehicles Involved Story and Photos by Chris Sabella On Wednesday morning September24,2014 a two accident that started on Northbound Nicholls Road turned into a 5 car accident with an overturn and entrapment after one car crossed the median striking three cars in the Southbound lanes on Nicholls Road in Centereach. A total of three people were transported to University Hospital after Centereach Fire Department, using hydraulic tools, removed one person that was trapped. Southbound Nicholls Road was closed just south of Route 25 for over 1 hour during the busy morning commute.
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HAGERMAN
East Patchogue Accident Sends 4 to Hospital Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
On September 24, 2014, at about 1720 hours the Hagerman Fire Department and South Country Ambulance were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at East Patchogue Yaphank Road and the North Sunrise Service Road. Upon arrival Hagerman units, the vehicles involved were secured, speedy dry applied to minor fluid leaks while the crews from South Country Ambulance packaged the 4 injured and transported them to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment of their minor injuries. Hagerman Chief Mudrack [5-10-30] and Assistant Chief Dean [5-10-32] were on scene with Heavy Rescue 5-10-4, R-6, Fire Police 5-10-9. South Country Ambulance had Chief Miglino with 5-42-18, 19 & 20 on scene.
WYANDANCH
Car vs tree
Story and photos by Kevin Conn On September 25, 2014, at about 0710hours Wyandanch Fire Company 1st Assistant Chief transmitted to Babylon Central Fire Alarm [1-0-0] to activate his department for a 16/23 MVA and asking for the Hurst Tool forthwith in front of 46 Lee Ave in Wheatley Heights. He also requested Wyandanch- Wheatley Heights Ambulance [WWHAC] and PD to respond. Wyandanch responded with 1-10-30, 1-10-32, Heavy Rescues 1-10-7 & 1-10-8 as well as Engine 1-101. [WWHAC] responded with 1-2016. The driver was quickly extricated from the vehicle via the passenger side door and WWHAC treated at scene and transported to Good Sam Hospital for further treatment. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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EAST NORTHPORT Heavy Fire on Arrival Story by Jeff DiLavore Photos by Ryan Koch
On Wednesday September 24th at 0110 hours, the East Northport Fire Department was alerted for a structure fire at 49 Greenvale Drive in Elwood. Upon arrival of Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler [2-10-31], he reported that he had smoke showing and a 13/35 [working fire] was transmitted. He encountered heavy smoke and fire from a two story private dwelling. Chief Joe Ervin [2-10-30] requested a RIT from Commack and an Engine to the scene from Greenlawn. He also requested ambulances to the scene from Commack VAC and Centerport.
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Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan [2-10-32] along with the first in crews made an aggressive interior push on the heavily involved fire but due to deteriorating conditions, Chief Ervin made the decision to pull members out of the building and mount a defensive attack. Shortly thereafter, the fire was through the roof and the roof began to collapse. A total of 3 hand lines were stretched and operated and a master stream from Tower Ladder 2-10-2 was in operation as well. During the operation, one firefighter suffered a hand injury and another was evaluated for smoke inhalation. Both were treated on the scene and did not require transport. According to Chief Ervin, a Signal 4 [under control] was transmitted at 0230 hours. Northport Fire Department provided standby coverage at East Northport’s headquarters. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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DEER PARK
Ex-Chief & Past Commissioner Carl Amato Submitted by Ken Bradbury
The Deer Park Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of Ex-Chief and Past Commissioner Carl Amato. Carl was seventy nine years old. He is survived by his wife Helen. He worked for the Grumman Corporation before retiring to Florida. Amato joined the fire service in 1954 as a member of the West Hempstead Fire Department (Nassau County). He joined the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department (Suffolk County) in 1959, where he was a life member and served as Chief of the Department from 19701972. During his tenure as chief, Deer Park formed its Junior Fire Department. Other positions with the department included assistant chief and captain and lieutenant of Engine Co. #3. He served as President of the Deer Park Fire Department, Engine Co. #3, Deer Park Exempt Benevolent Association, and Deer Park Ex-Chiefs Association. Amato was a member of Board of Fire Commissioners for 20 years; serving as chairman for many years. At one time, he was active with the department’s racing and softball teams and band. Amato was honored with Deer Park’s “Fireman of the Year” award in 1973. His influence has always extended well beyond the local area, as he served as President of both the Town of Babylon and Suffolk County Chief’s Councils and has served in the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs since 1967, including a position on the State Board of Directors. Carl was elected as President of the NYSAFC in 1994. Deer Park has long been the beneficiary of Chief Amato’s firefighting advances. He was instrumental in placing the Fire District on a firm financial footing with long term planning that included a 10-year truck replacement program. He was successful on the political front winning numerous grants from New York State to lessen the burden on the Deer Park taxpayers. Amato’s fire service affiliations were numerous. He was a member and chairman of the Suffolk County Fire Advisory Board, as well as a past president and life member of the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Chief’s Council of Suffolk County. Amato was a member of the Suffolk County Fireman’s Association, where he served on the Legislative Committee, was a member and sergeant-at-arms with the Suffolk County Fire Districts Association, and served on the Suffolk County Recruitment and Retention Committee. He was a member of the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York and a life member of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. Amato was also a life member of the National Fire Protection Association, where he also served as a regional representative and on the Technical Committee of the Fire Service Section. He was a life member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, a charter member of the IAFC Volunteer Chief Officers Section, a member of the Eastern Division of the IAFC, and a member of the National Fire Academy Alumni Association.
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MASTIC
Two Car MVA with Heavy Rescue Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
On Saturday September 27, 2014 at about 0847 hours, the Mastic Fire Department was requested to the scene of a motor vehicle accident “Heavy Rescue Requested” at Mastic Road and Market Street. Upon arrival of FD, the Mastic Ambulance Company was treating the driver of each vehicle and requested that the door be taken off of the silver Ford Focus. The Crew of Mastic Heavy Rescue 5-12-10 made quick work of removing the driver’s door and assisted the ambulance company in packaging that driver for transport. Mastic Ambulance responded with 5-37-19 and a mutual aid ambulance from Mastic Beach 5-39-19 also responded to the scene and transported the driver of the taxi involved. Both drivers were transported to BMH for treatment of their injuries.
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SMITHTOWN and COMMACK VAC Teamwork Prevails at MVA Story and Photos by Evan Rolla
On Saturday September 27th, at approximately 1015 hours, the Smithtown Fire Department and Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corp were notified for an MVA with possible pin in front of 920 West Jericho Turnpike. CVAC Chief 2-16-31 and Smithtown Chief Tim Murphy [4-2-31] were on scene to direct the operations of each department as they worked side by side to extricate the heavily pinned driver. After about 20 minutes the driver was free and the scene was secured. 2 patients were transported to a nearby hospital.
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EAST MEADOW
Nelson H. Finkelman Plaque Dedicated at NUMC Burn Center
Story and Photos by Kevin Madigan-K2M Photography
Click Here for More Photos
On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013 the Nassau County Fire Service and, in particular, the East Meadow Fire Department suffered a detrimental loss with the passing of Ex-Chief Nelson H. Finkelman. The former Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department served fiftysix years with the sixth bEattalion based department, was a supervisor with the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, and a Chief Instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy. Perhaps the most notable work by Nelson H. Finkelman during his lifetime was his efforts in helping to establish the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center Foundation in 1991 and go on to serve on its board as the secretary. The foundation helps to raise money for the burn center at the Nassau University Medical Center through various events hosted by the seventy-one fire departments in Nassau County. According to the foundation’s website their goal is: “to make quality burn care available to all who are seriously burned, regardless of age, race, creed or economic status.” As one can see through the above mission statement the burn center is not just for members of the fire service and has helped countless numbers of people on their road to recovery. Almost a year to the day that Nelson H. Finkelman passed away he was honored inside of the burn center that he helped to make possible. This honor came in the form of a bronze plaque with Nelson’s likeliness that hangs close to the entrance of the burn center. The plaque, presented by the Sixth Battalion District and Chiefs, was dedicated on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 with Nelson’s wife Gloria and at least two of his children [Michael and Jody] present. On the day of the dedication members of the NUMC Burn Center and Sixth Battalion District spoke of the magnitude that Nelson’s efforts played in getting the burn center to where it is now as well as the significance of having the plaque hung.
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FACES OF THE FIRE SERVICE Kings Park Captain PJ Laura and his father Commissioner Pete Laura Sr. on the scene of a recent working fire
Northport Chief Joe Pansini [2-9-30] on the scene of a recent fire in East Northport
Photo by Jeff DiLavore A Gordon Heights Firefighter at a recent fire in Coram
Photo by Jeff DiLavore Mastic FF Sal D’Amico Sr. getting ready for audtions to be the next top model for FD Calander
Photo by Tom Lambui A Selden Firefighter on the scene of a recent fire
Photo by Tom Lambui
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Photo by Kevin Conn
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FACES OF THE FIRE SERVICE Manorville FD Brush Truck Crew at Brush Competition
Photo by John Walthers
Members of Coram taking to the roof at a recent fire in Selden
Photo by Chris Sabela Brentwood Truck 1 at the Islip Town Chili cookoff.
Captain Anthony Grotto (L) and Charlie Hepner (R) at a recent car fire in Ridge
Photo by Tom Lambui
Photo by Ken Bradbury
Islip Town Fire Marshals at Islip Town Chili cookoff
Photo by Ken Bradbury
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
Three members of Hampton Bays Fire Department at an early Sunday morning training
Photo by NO NAME
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THE MONDAY MORNING QB “Life Hazards in Abandoned Building Fires “
by Jeff DiLavore In the past few months we have seen multiple working fires in abandoned and derelict buildings on the grounds of the old psychiatric centers located in Brentwood and Kings Park. This brings to mind a few things to remember when responding to any type of incidents in these buildings. First, and foremost, most of these buildings have been vacant for years. They usually have no electric or gas service and, even though they were once “secured” or boarded up, over the years thrill seekers, urban explorers, vagrants, and curious residents have entered these buildings.
Even though responding units may not expect a life hazard to exist in these buildings, they still have to ask this question: HOW DID THIS FIRE START? Outside of a lightning strike during a thunderstorm, how is it possible that THIS fire started in THIS building on THIS day? We all like to joke about “mice with matches” but we need to take this point very seriously. Once that question is asked then the next question logically has to be: IS THERE ANYONE STILL IN THE BUILDING? Some departments have operating procedures or guidelines that limit or prohibit entry into these buildings for various reasons including structural instability, contaminants such as asbestos, or possibly booby traps set by squatters to protect their belongings or assure their safety. Regardless of the answers to the questions, the OIC should consider that a life hazard exists and should consider having companies perform systematic searches of the fire building. Whether or not the fire was set to provide warmth for a squatter or was a malicious act by an arsonist or maybe common thieves who are stealing copper or other salvage items, the truth remains that there is no way to be sure that the person[s] who were in that building when the fire started may still be in there and like it or not, it is the job of the fire department[s] responding to search for, and remove, these people. Of course the next logical questions are: HOW DO WE KNOW SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY IN THERE and WHY SHOULD WE PUT OUR MEMBERS AT RISK FOR INJURY OR WORSE FOR AN ABANDONED BUILDING?
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These are very good questions that I will answer with more questions: HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS NOT STILL IN THERE and ISN’T THAT WHAT FIREFIGHTERS DO? The last time I checked, firefighters protect LIFE and PROPERTY in that order. If the fire was set by an arsonist, how do we know that he or she didn’t trip and fall in the process of exiting the building? How do we know if the person didn’t become disoriented and loss consciousness in another room or on another floor? If a homeless person was attempting to keep warm on a cold night, how do we know that he or she wasn’t overcome by smoke or CO that rendered them unable to get out of the building? The answers here are simple: WE DON’T KNOW FORE SURE. That is why primary and secondary searches are just as important in these fire buildings as they are in private dwellings. Consider the time of day for these fires as well. I think we can all agree that arsonists generally use the cover of darkness to carry out their crimes while squatters need to have light and heat after sundown because the temperatures at night are cooler than daytime hours. Either way, the darkness will almost always make it difficult for anyone inside these buildings to exit the safely. Crews should be looking for means of entry and egress that do not require forcible entry. Why, you ask?.......because whoever set the fire obviously was able to get in there without a set of irons or a K12 and they have tried to re-trace their steps to that entry/exit point to get out again. Most of the buildings in question on these grounds are larger than we are used to here on Long Island and they were built a long time ago. Back in the days when these buildings were built, they were built to last as opposed to the prefabricated tinder boxes that we see going up around us today. Most were built with steel, brick and mortar as opposed to pressed wood, glue and gang nails. However, years of weather and neglect along with infestation of varmints, previous fires, and a host of other factors have caused the deterioration of these architectural wonders. Together with the poor fiscal condition of the State of New York, these buildings will not be coming down anytime soon so we can continue to expect to respond to emergencies in them. Even though there have been some demolition in recent years, the number of buildings that remain on both campuses in Kings Park and Brentwood is staggering. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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I am sure that there are dozens, if not hundreds, more vacant and/or abandoned buildings across Long Island and even though your district may not have any located inside your boundaries, you may very well be called upon as a mutual aid company to the scene of a neighboring fire department. Be proactive!!! If you know that one of your neighbors has buildings like these in their district then contact them. Talk with them. PREPLAN with them. I am fairly confident that they would have no problem talking about their own preplans for the buildings and would like to share information with your department so that when you DO show up at the scene of one of these fires at 3:00am, you will have at least some idea of the operation and what will be expected of you. In closing, there are a few more points to consider if you are the OIC at an incident involving an abandoned or vacant building: • First, and most important, the safety of the members operating on the scene and entering the building is PARAMOUNT. Approach this kind of operation carefully and methodically. Remember the risk versus the reward theory. • Second, depending on the size or location of the building consider requesting not one, but TWO, FASTs or RITs. You may choose to have one team staged for immediate intervention with second team staged at or near the Command Post OR you may want to have both teams staged on opposite sides of the building so that depending on where they need to enter the building, precious seconds could be saved to search for and reach a downed member. • Third, WATER, WATER, WATER. Be sure to that you have primary, secondary AND tertiary water sources available and the resources to utilize the water. Hydrant locations, water main sizes, and distances from the building should be identified in pre-plans. Also consider utilizing neighboring departments who have tankers to provide water as well. • Fourth, accountability is VITAL when operating at these types of incidents. Be sure PASS alarms are working; be sure that your accountability system is adequate to keep track of ALL members on scene. Make sure Safety Officers have clear and definitive assignments [consider using ‘Sector’ Safety Officers depending on the size of the building. Any members entering these buildings for searches should also utilize safety ropes to provide a path toward the point of egress.
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• Fifth, utilize vacant building marking systems to identify existing hazards such as structural instability, roof integrity [was it opened at a past fire], or known floor failures. These markings would also indicate whether or not entry into the building is warranted. You could also put a date next to each marking. Any and all information about these buildings should be given to your department’s dispatch agency so that information could be shared with responding units. • Finally, a well-organized Incident Command system is imperative when operating at incidents of this magnitude. First off, be sure to set up a Command Post and advise dispatch to instruct all incoming units WHERE it is located and WHO is in charge. All mutual aid companies arriving on scene MUST have a Chief or officer or ‘senior’ man report to the Command Post for instructions and then a member must remain at the Command Post for the duration of the alarm so that he or she may communicate with the OIC. There is nothing worse than looking for a rep from a neighboring department who is operating on your fireground and not being able to communicate adequately with the crews working.
Author’s Note: The information and ideas expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author based on past experiences as a firefighter and Chief officer. They do not reflect the procedures or guidelines of any department or district. This article is intended to raise awareness of firefighting tactics in different situations to promote the safety and well-being of all firefighters. The author strongly urges members of the fire service to perform their duties according to their own department’s or agency’s procedures and/or guidelines. About the Author: Jeff DiLavore is a past Chief of the Lakeview Fire Department in Nassau [19992000], a Registered Nurse and a former EMT-CC. He is currently a Commissioner in the Kings Park Fire District in Suffolk. He is also the owner of Nassau FD Rant and Suffolk FD Rant forums and the publisher and editor of FD Rant News. He can be reached at 516.852.4965 or via email at: FDRantNews@verizon.net. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 10 - September 2014
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SUPPORT OU We hope you have enjoyed viewing Long Island FD Rant News. I would like to say thank you to all of our wonderful contributors and encourage all of you to visit their websites and also to contact our authors to discuss their articles. To show how our new model is better than any other fire news publication out there, each month we will be grouping all of our contributors together on this page, making it easier to locate and connect with all of the month’s contributors; authors and photographers.
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UR SPONSORS
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Jeff DiLavore is a past Chief of the Lakeview Fire Department [1999-2000], a Registered Nurse and a former E MT-CC.
He is also the owner of Nassau FD Rant and Suffolk FD Rant websites and the publisher and editor of Long Island FD Rant News. He can be reached at 631.766.3287 or via email at: FDRantNews@verizon.net
Jim McNamara (Jimmy Mac) is a 25 year member and Ex-Chief of the North Bellmore Fire Department, served as the
Department’s Training Coordinator, and is a founding member of both North Bellmore’s and the 6th Battalion Technical Rescue Team. Jimmy worked for the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office for 14 years spending the last 12 as a Specialist on the Hazardous Material Response Team. He also spent 9 years as a 2nd Deputy Chief Instructor a t the Nassau County Fire Service Academy where he taught Technical Rescue, Vehicle Extrication, Haz Mat, WMD a nd numerous other classes. Chief McNamara is currently the Adjunct Instructor for Distant Learning for the N assau FD.
Phil Lichtenberger is the owner of Monitor Long Island, Inc. which owns W2LIE.net, LongIslandFirePhotos.com, a nd
manages several other sites. Phil has been a licensed Amateur Radio operator since 1994 and has been listening to scanner and short-wave for 20 years. You can contact him at w2lie@w2lie.net.
Dominic Orlando is a member of the East Rockaway Fire Department with experience in the fire service ranging from volunteer service in the states of North and South Carolina and here in New York. He has been involved in one way or another with the fire service since joining the junior fire department in 1997. He is a veteran of the US Marine Corps, spending 8 years on active duty and having completed 4 separate combat tours overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. He still remains active as a reservist with 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines out of Garden City, N.Y. as their intelligence section chief.
Mike Capoziello is a 28 year member of Hook and Ladder Co.#2 and former Chief [2011-12] of the Elmont FD. He
serves as a Department Training Officer, Public Information Officer and Historian. He has 20 plus years experience as a houseman and dispatcher in various Nassau County departments and is currently a Supervising dispatcher with Nassau County Firecom, training officer for the Fieldcom unit-Member of the Nassau County fire service Critical Incident Stress team for the past 11 years and is a liaison for the team to the Nassau County Fire Commission.
Duane Welliver is a 25 year member and former Fire Captain of the East Farmingdale Fire Department.
He currently serves as the Technical Rescue Captain and a Training Officer for the Department. He is a N.Y.S. Certified Fire Instructor II. Also has 10 years experience as a full time Instructor with the New York City Police Department. He can be reached at 631.505.3778 or via email at: FRSTraining@aol.com.
Jeff O’Toole joined the Fire Service in 1977, belonging to four different Nassau Departments. Presently a firefight-
er/ EMT-CC in Bethpage Engine & Ladder Co. 4, and an Assistant Decon Team Leader. He is active with the Hazmat/WMD Committee of the Nassau County Fire Commission. You can contact him at nchazmat@optonline.net.
Tim Ivers has been a Police Officer for 30 years. He has been with the NCPD Emergency Service Unit since 1995.
Prior to working in the NCPD he was a Police Officer with the NYPD. He is a past member of the Levittown Fire Dept. In addition to the usual training and certifications necessary for the police department, he is a Haz-Mat Technician as well as a WMD Technician. He holds a NYS Certification in Vehicle Extrication and is trained and certified as a Hurst Extrication Tool instructor. Tim can be reached at: ESU2422@gmail.com
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