FD Rant News LONG ISLAND, NY
Volume 3, Edition 6 - MAY 2014
BALDWIN
Two Working Fires in Three Days
Photo by Fred Kopf
A Baldwin officer directs a hose team as they apply water to a rapidly advancing fire on May 22nd. Full story on page 43
LONG BEACH Heavy Fire on the ‘West End’ Page 41 JERICHO Battles Fire at Historic Milleridge Inn Page 46 EAST FARMINGDALE Covering Standby Units Handle Working Fire Page 60 COPIAGUE Multiple Boats Called for Brush Fire Page 65 PATCHOGUE Hanglider Accident Leads to High Angle Rescue Page 79
Photo by Fred Kopf
Page 2 Table of Contents
Owner/Editor/Publisher Jeff DiLavore
Page 3 Editorial Pages 4 - 5 Faces of the Fire Service Pages 12 - 13 Talkin’ Fire Stuff By Mike Capoziello
Pages 28 - 29 Apparatus of the Fire Service Pages 32 - 36 The Back of the Bus By Tom Cronogue
Pages 54 - 55 Centerfold Pages 56 - 58 Ex-Chief Remembered By Bill Fonda
Pages 91 - 92 Sponsors Page Page 93 About the Authors
Long Island FD Rant News Northport, N.Y. 11768 Phone: 631.766.3287 Email: FDRantNews@verizon.net
Associate Editor Dave Cook Associate Editor- Parade and Drill Kim Versheck Technical Editor Brian Welliver Graphic Editor Holly Luscher Social Media Consultant Mary Beth SteensonKraese Contributing Authors Phil Lichtenberger Jim McNamara Robert Senn Joe Laino Mike Capoziello Don Prince Pete Silver Duane Welliver Tim Ivers Jeff O’Toole
Correspondents
Mark Bellew 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 Matt Thomas Kim Versheck John Walthers Cameron Wilken Pat Welliver
Submit Stories and/or Photos to: FDRantNews@verizon.net Be sure to send contact information including name, phone number and email address.
All news articles, photographs, images, illustrations, audio clips, video clips, trademarks, designs, graphics, logos, icons, images, user interfaces, visual interfaces and computer code (“Content”) contained in FD Rant News is either owned or used under license by Sophan Publishing, LLC with ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Content contained in this publication is protected by United States Copyright Law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without prior permission of Sophan Publishing, LLC or the owner of that Content.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 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 7th Annual Chuck Varese Extrication Tournament took place in Northport at “The Pit” on Saturday May 10th. This event has been run by the Northport Fire Department in honor of one of their members who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 2008. The all-day event was attended by 11 fire departments from Suffolk and Nassau with a total of 21 teams competing. Ex-Chief Robert “Beefy” Varese, father of Chuck, welcomed all of the members who participated and presented the winning teams with their awards at the end of the day. A great day of friendly competition and training culminated with the Greenlawn Fire Department taking home 1st Place honors. Commack and Huntington Manor took 2nd and 3rd place respectively. A portion of the proceeds from the event were donated to the Suffolk County Firefighters Burn Center. Memorial Day is always a somber reminder of the sacrifices that members of our armed forces have made throughout the years to defend our great country. This year was no different. We salute all of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice to defend our freedoms and our way of life. Due to some unforeseen technical issues, we were forced to delay our release of the 2014 Nassau County Fire Commission Awards Ceremony special edition which was delivered this past week. We apologize for the inconvenience and we hope you enjoyed the coverage. This year there were a few ‘unique’ incidents that members of the Nassau County Fire service received awards for and we would like to congratulate everyone who was recognized for their efforts above and beyond the call of duty. We would like to welcome aboard yet another new correspondent to the FD Rant News team. Andrew Carpenter will be covering the 5th Battalion area of Nassau County from his home base of Glen Cove. This month he makes his debut with a working house fire that occurred in Glen Cove over the Memorial Day weekend. Remember to “Like” us on Facebook by clicking here:
Check out our YouTube channel by clicking here:
You can view videos of several of the major incidents that have taken place over the past few months. 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 631.766.3287.
Ex-Chief Jeff DiLavore Publisher
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FACES OF THE FIRE SERVICE A member of Commack on the scene of a recent fatal fire in East Northport
A member of Commack Truck Company 1 packs up after a recent gas leak
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
North Massapequa Chiefs (pictured left to right) 2nd Asst. Chief Fred Ferrara, 1st Asst. Chief Kevin Mauro, Chief of Dept. Robert Schmidgall and 3rd Asst. Chief Joseph Pesale Jr.
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
Captain Warren Myers of Commack Truck Company 1 on the scene of a recent gas leak
Photo by Jeff DiLavore
Manorville Captain and FD Rant News correspondent Matt Thomas on the scene of a recent brush fire
Photo by Tom Lambui
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FACES OF THE FIRE SERVICE Deer Park Chiefs,Larry Bradbury,Anthony Biolsi,Phil Scarfi
Photo by Steve Jacob
Shirley Ambulance EMT Brandon White and members of Brookhaven FD operate at an MVA
Photo by John Walthers
Hagerman firefighter takes a signal 9 on the back step at a recent alarm New Brentwood Probie-Brian Bradbury.
Photo by Chris Sabella
Firefighter J Matthews back in action in Selden after his tour in Afghanistan -
Photo by Ken Bradbury
Photo by Chris Sabella
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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MASTIC Car fire
Story and Photos by T. J. Lambui - FD Rant News/LiHotShots On April 10th, the Mastic F.D. responded to this car fire at approximately 14:00 hours on Meadowmere Avenue, just east of Mastic Road when a fire broke out in the engine compartment of the vehicle. Mastic's Bravest were able to extinguish the blaze in a matter of minutes. It is believed the car is a total loss. No injuries were reported.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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CORAM
Midnight Worker
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui-FD Rant News/LiHotShots
Click Here For More Photos On April 11th, at approximately 00:30 hours, the Coram Fire Department and officers from SCPD 6th Pct. responded to a reported house fire at 21 Erna Drive, just south of Route 25. Upon arrival, first due units were met with a fully involved structure. Due to the fact that the fire had burned through, and collapsed, the roof, Coram Chief Timms [5-6-30] immediately ordered Engine 2’s deck gun into operation. Additional 1 3/4� hand lines were stretched to attack the blaze from the exposure two and four sides. Chief Timms requested the Suffolk County Arson Squad to respond due to the severity and advanced nature of the fire and the fact that there was a fire at the same location just three weeks prior. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported. The Middle Island and Gordon Heights Fire Departments responded on mutual aid.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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CENTER MORICHES Tractor Trailer Overturned
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots On Friday April 18, 2014, the Center Moriches Fire Department and officers from the SCPD 7th Pct. responded at approximately 7:10 am to this overturned tractor trailer on Montauk Highway, between Wilcox Avenue and Old Neck Road. The driver (who received only minor injuries) while traveling east bound on Montauk Highway either struck or swerved to avoid the LIRR overpass causing his truck to flip onto its side. It is unknown what his cargo was at this time. Montauk Highway was closed in both directions and the LIRR was delayed for some time until the vehicle was removed.
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MEDFORD
Car Burns
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots
On April 19th, at approximately 2:45 am, the Medford Fire Department and officers from SCPD’s 6th Pct. responded to this car fire on Cedarhurst Avenue, just south of Granny Road. The car was fully engulfed upon their arrival, setting the surrounding brush on fire as well. No injuries were reported and the fire is under investigation.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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YAPHANK
Brush Fire
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots
On April 22nd, at approximately 4:00 pm, the Yaphank Fire Department responded for a brush fire located to the west of the Colonial Woods condo development off of Yaphank Woods Boulevard. Yaphank 2nd Assistant Chief Thomas Wood was in charge of the scene and requested the Ridge, Middle Island, Mastic, and Mastic Beach fire departments to respond to the scene on mutual aid with additional stump jumpers and tankers to assist in extinguishing the fire. Firefighters fought the blaze for about 2 1/2 hours. Officials on the scene estimated 5 acres or so were burned in the fire. A huge debt of gratitude to the Officers and members of the Yaphank and Ridge Fire Departments for allowing me behind the scenes access. Thank you..
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RIDGE
Rush Hour Overturn
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots On April 25th, The Ridge Fire Department and officers from the SCPD 7th Pct. responded to reports of an overturned vehicle on the exit ramp to the northbound William Floyd Parkway at approximately 7:30 am. Units arrived on scene moments later to find that indeed the reports were correct. Fortunately, the driver was not entrapped in the vehicle and only received minor injuries. The patient refused transportation to the hospital. The exit ramp was closed awaiting removal of the vehicle.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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MANORVILLE
Brush Season Continues
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui-FD Rant News/LiHotShots On April 24th, at approximately 5:20 pm, the Manorville Fire Department, Manorville Community Ambulance, State of NY Forest Rangers, and officers from SCPD’s 7th Pct. responded to this brush fire on North Street, west of Weeks Avenue in Manorville. The fire was located on the south side of North Street and covered a number of acres up to the high tension wires. Chief Howie Snow [5-16-30] of the Manorville F.D. requested additional units from Ridge and Yaphank to help extinguish the blaze which took about two hours to bring under control. F.D. units worked into the night to mop up the many hotspots in the area. Authors Note: A huge thank you to the chiefs, officers, and members of the Manorville and Ridge F.D.’s for allowing me behind the scenes access.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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TALKIN’ FIRE STUFF SOMETIMES... By Mike Capoziello
Sometimes…as hard as it may be for us to understand, there are incidents that occur when we fail despite how good a crew we may have had on the first due rigs. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how hard you may have trained and prepared for your moment to perform. Sometimes it does not matter how fast you got out the door and arrived on scene. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes things just don’t work out. Sometimes an incident is so bad; it will leave you questioning why you got into this business in the first place. No matter how large or small, busy or slow, every department eventually at some point in time will be exposed to a traumatic event that will shake their members as well as the community they serve to the core. As a chief or line officer you need to be prepared for this eventuality. You need to look out for your members, especially the younger probies who, along with their families, have put their trust in your organization. Think about this…it’s quite possible some of your 17,18 19 year old members may have never been to a funeral, let alone witness a person dying right in front of their eyes. How do you prepare or train your probies for this moment in time when it arrives? Unfortunately you don’t. A young person’s exposure to death is most likely what they have seen on television, movies or video games. It’s a whole different story when it’s the real deal played out before their very eyes. Back in the day you either sucked it up, dealt with the situation like a man (most of the time faking it) or you quietly faded away from the organization. “Let them go, we don’t need any wussies in our organization anyway!” the gruff old timey chief would bark. Who knows how many of those “wussies” walked away forever scarred from their experiences with no support or intervention from the organizations they trusted in when they raised their right hands and swore to all that “stuff.” When the “sometimes” incident happens to your department, someone has to realize the situation at hand and do something to help your responders make some sense of the emotional trauma they may be going through. Each individual no matter how old, no matter how much time and experience in your department will deal with a given situation differently. Part of the unique and satisfying nature of serving as a volunteer firefighter is actually serving the community you live in. Serving the community you grew up in. Serving the community your children go to school in and serving in the community many of your relatives and close friends reside in. Neighbors helping neighbors is not just a cliché for many departments. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Unfortunately because of this dynamic, there may be times when we respond to traumatic incidents in which we know personally the victims involved or worse may be related to them. The victims involved may also be relatives or friends of friends we know. The human connection that is normally removed from our emotions and actions as first responders is put back into the equation. This is no longer a nameless face in need of our help. Failure is not acceptable and when things go bad the emotional toll put on your responders will be tremendous. What can you do as leaders of your departments? You can notify your counties respective Critical Incident Stress Management teams (CISM), who also have on their rosters professional doctors, therapists and social workers who can be called upon if needed. You can call upon your local clergy to come down to the firehouse and just be there for your members. Or at the very least get the responders together who operated at and witnessed the event. Give them the opportunity to simply “vent” their emotions which will start the healing process. You cannot ignore what happened. Talk about it, listen to each other. If someone does not want to talk about it, that’s ok to. Just give folks the opportunity to vent. In a nutshell this is what CISM and all previous models of stress debriefing are all about. It’s about letting everyone know its ok not to be ok. That the reactions they are having are completely normal. It’s about being there for one another and letting them know they are not alone in what they may be feeling. There may still be some hardnosed, old skool, SOB Chiefs out there who think if it doesn’t bother them it shouldn’t bother anyone else. Fortunately most chief and line officers coming through the ranks today are beyond this archaic thinking. I applaud the many chiefs and officers who have taken a proactive approach and sought out help when their “sometimes” moment arrived. I urge all chiefs and line officers to brush up on CISM and what it has to offer if you are not aware of these programs already. You can’t afford to lose good people, and possibly send them on their way emotionally scarred and “broken” due to your lack of recognizing when an event was extremely emotionally traumatic to the responders involved. Remember sometimes the bad stuff will happen under your watch. Until next time be safe and keep em’ rolling! 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.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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SELDEN Brush Burns
Story and Photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography On the afternoon of Friday, April 25th, the Selden Fire Department responded with two brush trucks to a small brush fire to rear of Hawkins Path Elementary School. Using booster lines, firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire before any wind could take it and run with it. .
LONG BEACH
Open House
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography
On Saturday, April 26th, the Long Beach Fire Department held an open house, family day, and blood drive event inside Kennedy Plaza in the heart of the city. The event consisted of various demonstrations by members of the Long Beach Fire Department. These exhibitions included vehicle extrication, forced entry of a doorway, and a stovetop fire scenario. Various pieces of apparatus were present for touring along with firefighter’s gear. The event was held to show the public what exactly the role of being a firefighter entails as well as looking to inform and recruit new members to the Second Battalion based department. The day’s activities were under the direction of Long Beach Chief of Department Richard Corbett [231] and made possible by various members of the department who worked effortlessly to ensure success.
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MEDFORD
Overturn Handled
Story and Photo by Cameron Wilken The Medford Fire Department responded to a Motor Vehicle Accident with overturn on April 27th at 9:20pm. The accident occurred on North Ocean Avenue and Jamaica Avenue. Chief 5-14-30 was on scene to confirm negative pin as well as negative injuries and slowed down all units. Rescue 15 was second on scene to secure the along with manpower from Engine 11. Suffolk County PD ESU uprighted the vehicle and all units were available.
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MEDFORD
Sound System Sparks Fire
Story and Photo by Cameron Wilken The Medford Fire Department responded to a car fire at 57 Oregon Avenue on April 28th at 2:20 am. Chief 5-14-30 was on scene and reported the fire was almost spreading to another vehicle. Engine 11 was on scene quickly and pulled the booster line and extinguished the fire. Fire Police 5-14-20 was on scene to secure the block from any traffic.
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Is Now Hiring
Mechanics and Body Repair Technicians F
please fax resume to 631-392-4891 or email your resume to b.farrell@prestigemotorli.com. or more information on the company please click here www.prestigemotorli.com.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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MASSAPEQUA
Quick Stop in Vacant Home
Story and Photos by Kim Versheck - LNBN
Massapequa House Fire - LNBN Around 23:30 hours on April 28th, 2014, the Massapequa Fire Department was alerted to a reported house fire in the vicinity of Forest Avenue and Linden Street. As members turned out for the alarm, the dispatcher advised that a NCPD sector car was on scene advising a kitchen fire in a vacant residence. 3rd Assistant Chief Kevin Stansbury [6303] was first on scene and was met with a smoke condition coming from the home. 2nd Assistant Chief Regis Beneville [6302] arrived moments later and transmitted a working fire in a 1 ½ story wood framed home at 377 Forest Avenue. First due Engine 631 quickly put the first line in to service and took the hydrant across from the home. Tower Ladder 636 took the front of the structure as Tower Ladder 632 took the exposure 2/3 corner. A quick push was made using two hand lines as the trucks opened up. Engine 6315 picked up a second hydrant and put a third precautionary line in place. South Farmingdale Ladder 978 was on scene as the FAST truck but was quickly released, as the fire was swiftly darkened down. Crews were back in service in just about an hour and the Nassau County Fire Marshal was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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CENTEREACH
House Fire Leaves Homeowner Injured Story and Photos by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography
On April 29th, 2014, an early morning fire broke out on the second floor of a private dwelling located at 6 Catalina Drive in Centereach, just after 12 am. The fire soon extended to the attic and was through the roof when Chiefs arrived on scene. One engine and one ladder were on scene in moments and went to work with both interior and exterior work. Mutual aid was requested from Selden for an engine, Farmingville for RIT and Ronkonkoma to stand by at Centereach’s main quarters. One firefighter from Centereach received minor injuries when his leg went through the second floor and was treated at the scene. A resident of the home, whose breathing machine was destroyed in the blaze, was transported to University hospital as a precaution by Centereach ambulance. The fire was knocked down quickly and primary and secondary searches were negative. Firefighters remained on scene for about 1 hour more with overhaul. All units were released at about 2:30 am.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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BRENTWOOD Car vs. House
Photo and Story by Ken Bradbury DeerParkFirePhoto On Thursday May 1st, the Brentwood Fire Department was alerted for a MVA-Heavy Rescue at 231 Nolin Street. Responding units where advised that it was a car into the house. 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Derbyshire [3-2-32] was the first Chief responding followed by 1st Assistant Chief Bill Petersen [3-2-31] who assumed Command of the incident. Upon arrival, Chief Derbyshire observed a vehicle had struck and entered the structure on the ¾ corner of the residence. Engine 3-25 and Truck 3-2-18 rolled in and an inspection of the structure was made. Utilities where notified as well as the Town of Islip Fire Marshall’s Office and Building Inspectors Office. Suffolk County Police also responded with an ES unit.
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POINT LOOKOUT-LIDO Chiefs and Officers Installed
Story and Photo by Kevin Madigan / K2M Photography On Friday, May 2nd, the Point Lookout and Lido Fire Department held its annual inspection and installation of officers. This year’s event was held at the Sands Atlantic Beach and saw the company officers and then Chiefs officially installed into their positions. The year ahead will see Brian Guerin as the Second Assistant Chief with Daniel Weiner as the First Assistant Chief. For 2014 – 2015, the department will be led by James R. Walsh whose son Cody became Second Lieutenant of Renegade Company. On the same night, the department made Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg an Honorary Member of the Point Lookout-Lido Fire Department. Congratulations to all those who were awarded for their accomplishments and dedication along with those installed into office!
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BRENTWOOD Working Fire
Story and Photos by Ken Bradbury Additional Photos by Kevin Conn
Click Here For More Photos On Friday, May 2nd at 1800 hours, the Brentwood Fire Department was activated for a Structure Fire on Washington Avenue and Walton Street. Brentwood Fire Marshall Robert Keuhn [3-2-46] was first on scene and quickly transmitted a working fire in a vacant structure. Chief Javier Valentin [3-2-30] and 1st Assistant Chief Bill Petersen [3-2-31] were first to respond in, along with Engine 3-2-12 being the first due engine. The initial attack on the blaze was hampered by window and door barricades on the structure but the Brentwood Truck Company [3-2-8] was able to gain access quickly. Two lines were stretched from the first engine which also secured a positive water source. After gaining entrance to the structure, crews once again encountered another hazard; the house was filled with debris and rodents. Eventually Brentwood’s bravest were able to contain the blaze after being troubled with the several obstacles. The Commack Fire Department provided the R.I.T. and the Bay Shore Fire Department had an Engine on standby at Brentwood’s headquarters throughout the duration of the alarm.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Is Now Hiring
Mechanics and Body Repair Technicians F
please fax resume to 631-392-4891 or email your resume to b.farrell@prestigemotorli.com. or more information on the company please click here www.prestigemotorli.com.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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ISLAND PARK
Annual Installation Dinner Story and Photo by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography
On Saturday, May 3rd, the Island Park Fire Department held the Former Chief Michael R. Masone Annual Installation of Chiefs and Officers. The event was held at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park. Island Park Ex-Chief Rich Colon was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, which began with a presentation of the colors by the Island Park Fire Department Color Guard. Following the invocation and introduction of guests, the department presented a gift to Former Mayor James Ruzicka Sr., who during his tenure as Mayor, was always sure to put the fire department among his top priorities.
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ISLAND PARK
Standby Units Respond to MVA
Story and Photos by Zachary B. Grunther
On Saturday March 3rd, while the Island Park Fire Department was enjoying their annual Installation Dinner, Valley Stream Engine 344, Franklin SquareMunson's heavy rescue 719 and Meadowmere's Ambulance 333 was standing by for an otherwise quiet night. Then, around 11pm, all standby units were toned out for a signal 100 [MVA with entrapment] for a car versus tree at the foot of the Long Beach Bridge. Within minutes, all standby units were on scene confirming the MVA but negative entrapment. The driver of the vehicle was transported by Meadowmere Park’s ambulance to South Nassau Community Hospital with minor injuries. Ladder 223 and Chief Madden [221A] from Island Park also responded in to assist. All units were up within 20 minutes of the alarm.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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LONG BEACH
Fire Marshal Alerts for MVA in Front of Station 1 Story and Photo by Zachary B. Grunther
Just after midnight on May 3rd, the Long Beach Fire Department responded to a car versus pole in front of Station 1 at Maple Avenue and Park Avenue. Long Beach received the call from Chief Fire Marshal Scott D. Tusa as he was the first person on scene. Initially, it appeared as though the patient was trapped in the vehicle but she was able to self-extricate. Within minutes, Chief of Department Richard Corbett [231] was on scene confirming there was no pin; just a car vs pole with one injury. He requested PSEG to respond forthwith due to the wires hanging down and blocking the firefighters from responding out of Station 1. Chief Corbett and his crew were up within 30 minutes.
EAST FARMINGDALE
Surprised on Arrival
Story and Photo by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography Additional Photo by Rob Merkel
At 12:56 hours on May 7th, the East Farmingdale Fire Department was alerted for a signal 14 [vehicle fire] at 80 Mahan Street off of Edison Avenue. When the first units arrived on scene, they were met with a fully involved trailer in the yard of a scrap metal facility. East Farmingdale Engine 1-5-1 was the first engine on scene and would go on to use their deck gun as well as feed East Farmingdale Ladder 1-5-15 during the operation. The next engine on scene, East Farmingdale Engine 1-56, went on to pull into the yard and put two hand lines into operation. East Farmingdale Third Assistant Chief Joe Iuzzini [1-5-33] was the operations chief while East Farmingdale First Assistant Chief Joseph Wisz [1-5-31] oversaw the entire operation from the command post. After a strong attack, firefighters were able to knock down the fire inside the trailer which contained various types of debris. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
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MASSAPEQUA
Blood Drive Efforts Recognized
L-R: Commissioner Mike Hanna, Blood Drive Committee Chairperson Steve Cooney, Ex-Chief Tom Pendergast and Chief of Department Gerard Keuchler
Story by Tom Pendergast Photos by Ed Tuffy
The Massapequa Fire Department, for the second consecutive year, received The Terry Farrell Memorial Award presented at The Annual Long Island Blood Services Group Donor Awards Dinner. The Dinner was held on May 7th, 2014 at the Crest Hollow Country Club. The Terry Farrell Memorial Award is presented to the department on Long Island that collects the highest number of blood units in a calendar year. Massapequa had 307 units of blood donated in 2013.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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EAST NORTHPORT
One Fatality in Evening House Fire
Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – FD Rant News Additional Photo by Asst. Mechanic Chris Radimer Shortly before 2130 hours on Thursday May 8th, the East Northport Fire Department was alerted for a house fire at 57 Grover Lane. Additional information reported that there was at least one occupant trapped in the building. Upon arrival of Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan [2-10-32], he reported a working fire and was making entry to search for the victim. Chief of Department Joe Ervin [2-10-30] arrived moments later and together they entered the building to conduct a search. The alarm was re-activated as a 13/35 [working fire] and a RIT from Commack and an ambulance from Northport were requested to the scene. Meanwhile, Chief Heffernan found the victim on the 2nd floor, partially in the fire room, and together, he and Chief Ervin removed her into the hallway. At that time, crews from Engines 2-10-6 and 2-10-4 had arrived and made their way to the 2nd floor to assist with the removal of the victim to the outside. Sadly, due to the extent of her injuries, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Northport sent an engine and Commack VAC sent an ambulance to standby at East Northport’s quarters. Several Suffolk County Fire Coordinators were on scene including: Scott Dalrymple [2-0-5], Bruce Smith [2-0-1] and Phil Tepe [2-0-4]. The Suffolk PD Arson unit and Huntington Fire Marshal were requested to the scene for the investigation as was the Suffolk County Fire Marshal and Suffolk PD homicide.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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APPARATUS OF THE FIRE SERVICE Mastic FD Engine 2 and firepolice at a gas leak Feb 26th- Walthers Medford FD Ladder 5-14-5 at Memorial Day Parade 5-26-2014
Photo by John Walthers
Shirley Ambulance 5-38-18 Operating at an MVA 4-13-14
Medford FD Antique Mack at Memorial Day Parade 5-26-2014
Photo by John Walthers
Brookhaven FD Engine 9 Operating at an MVA 4-13-14.
East Islip Truck 3-5-5
Photo by John Walthers
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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APPARATUS OF THE FIRE SERVICE Lindenhurst FD Marine Unit 1-6-20 on scene in Copiague on May 20th
Babylon FD Marine Unit 1-2-16 on scene in Copiague on May 20th
Wantagh FD Marine 1 on scene in Copiague on May 20th
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
nit 3-4-26 operating on scene in Copiague on May 20th
Bay Shore Heavy Rescue 3-1-8
Brentwood Engine 3-2-1.
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UNIONDALE
Work Week Begins with Work Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography
On the afternoon of May 12th, the Uniondale Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a house fire at 667 Martin Drive off of Union Drive. Uniondale Fire Inspector Pete Anglim [7550] was among the first units on the road and transmitted a signal ten [working fire] prior to arriving on scene. When units arrived on scene they were met with heavy fire, exposing itself from windows on the number three and four sides of a one and a half story private dwelling. Uniondale Brookside Engine 752 was the first engine company to arrive on scene and went on to operate at least two lines to fight the Monday afternoon fire. Uniondale Ladder 7544 was the first truck company on the scene. Due to the construction of the home, the fire was able to extend to the basement and roof of the home. During the operation, when the fire load began to intensify and the manpower was not enough, units directed to standby were rerouted to the scene. This included North Bellmore Ladder 658, originally the FAST, being put to work [they were then replaced by East Meadow]. Mutual aid units that were on the scene of the fire included: Hempstead Truck One, Roosevelt Engine 737, Franklin Sqaure Engine 711, Baldwin Engine 201, and an ambulance from South Hempstead. Units from Merrick and North Merrick were also notified. The cause of the fire remained under investigation. All fire department units were under the command of Uniondale Second Assistant Chief Vaughn Tucker [7502].
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MANORVILLE Car Snaps Pole
Story and Photo by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots On May 15th, Officers from SCPD’s 7th Pct., the Manorville Fire Department, and Manorville Community Ambulance responded to this accident when a woman driving a Volkswagen 2 door convertible struck the pole, snapping it in half. The accident occurred on Moriches Middle Island Road, between Weeks Avenue and Cranford Boulevard at approximately 10:25 am; shutting down the road in both directions until the pole was removed by Town of Brookhaven workers. The driver was transported to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital with minor injuries..
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YAPHANK
EMS Week Cook Off
Story and Photo by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
On Saturday May 17th, 2014 at the E.M.S. Academy on Yaphank Avenue in Yaphank, Long Island, N.Y., a "Heart Healthy Cook Off" competition was held by teams of EMS members from Hampton Bays, East Islip, and Farmingville crews. The Hampton Bays team took first place in the competition. Three judges cast their votes based on flavor, heart healthiness of the meal, and presentation. All teams were required to make a dish consisting of chicken cutlets and a recipe of their own. Teams had a half hour to prepare, cook, and serve their dishes. Congratulations to the Hampton Bays team and kudos to the runner-ups, and to all on a job well done.
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THE BACK OF THE BUS PLAN ON GOING HOME, DO WE? By Tom Cronogue, J.S.G.
Hi. I'm back. Okay, so where were we? That's right, I'm on a safety rant. Last month I was asking you if you really believed in your own mortality. Wonder if you thought about it or just went on to the scanner column (which is very cool, by the way...)? For those that did, we're going to spend some time this month developing some strategies to keep you from testing that whole mortality theory. We'll do this over the next few months, so get comfortable. Let's play with something you kids love: gunshots. How do I know you love gunshots? Watch your ears perk up next time one comes over. "Who's got a gunshot? Maybe we'll get mutual aided!" Exact opposite reaction to "Child Pedestrian Struck". That one comes with a pucker factor totally off the scale when compared to going to Mrs. Schwartz' house to get her fistula re-drained. Why do we love the GSW's? We've grown up on them. Think of how many you heard this week on TV. You HALO religionists spray them around like water. They mean excitement. They mean a chance to drag someone back from the abyss in the coolest way possible... Saving Lives and Looking Good While Doing It. Chicks dig it. No great story ever started with "...so there I was getting vomited on...". Maybe a hot reporter from News 12 will interview me! (no, Sean Bergin, not you... you're a nice boy. A little confused, but still a nice boy, but you're not hot.). Of course, there's always Medal Day. This isn't going to be an essay on treating gunshot wounds. We'll play with that another day. Circulation-Airway-Breathing-Collar-Board-12 (yes, 12) Straps-Load-Go-Arrive. Please don't let me hear "Signal Three, Advanced Life Support to the scene"...If you didn't bring it with you, take him someplace that has it, y'know, an intercept or the trauma center. Turns out both those places have ALS lying around somewhere. Trauma is by and large a BLS disease. Medics are nice, but surgeons are better. Large bore IV's running wide open just help the rest of the blood out the hole. Bleedingbad. Compensatory Hypotension-good. Another aside, if you do that whole intercept thing, once you get the medic on board, put it back in gear. We put wheels on the bottom of the box for a reason. Most everything we do can be done while rolling. There’s a few exceptions; like the actual needle stick for an IV or pushing that ‘Shock’ button. Pull over briefly for that kind of stuff, but for everything else, keep them doggies rollin'. With every turn of the tire, our little friend gets that much closer to what he truly needs, a surgeon. If violence is the answer, it probably was a stupid question. Despite what your instructors have told you, sometimes people ask stupid questions. Sometimes they ask them very loudly, with things that go bang. Sometimes, they don't like the answer they got, so they ask it again. And again. Sometimes, they're still asking it when you land. Sometimes, they leave, then come back to ask some more questions. Sometimes, they want to ask you. Sometimes, other people repeat the same stupid question. Guns aren't bad. Guns aren't good. They're just tools. In the hands of the forces of sweetness and light, they can do important works. In the hands of those less good? Bad things can happen. Let's not let them happen to you. Truth be told, it's the bullets that hurt. A gun without bullets is just a rather unwieldy club. Let's look at your mindset. Not Today. Everybody Goes Home. Read it. Say it. Believe it. Do it. Start each tour, answer each pager blast with that uppermost in your mind. Channel your best Ahnold..."Ah'll be back..." one of the coldest things you'll ever see is a pair of station boots sitting by the rack, waiting for the FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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guy or girl who just took them off and won't be coming back. That car in the parking lot? No one wants to touch it. Okay, now we know we're going to make ourselves come home. How do we make it happen, Cap'n? Let's look in our pockets. Battle dressing? One you can put on one handed? A tourniquet? One you can put on one handed? Something to seal a hole so that the outside doesn't leak inside and collapse your lungs? Remember, along with a nifty pneumothorax, rising intra-thoracic pressure means collapsing atria which means decreased preload. Decreased preload-bad; especially if it's yours. Check, check and check. You may be treating yourself for a while. Better have the stuff to keep your insides inside and the outsides outside readily available and easy to use. Probably a less than optimal time to learn just how this tourniquet thingy works when the puddle you're sitting in is turning all red with the stuff that's leaking out of where your femoral artery used to be. Radio? More effective than yelling for help. It's really good at letting the good guys know where you are when they have to come get you. Never throw your radio at the bad guy. Then he has a radio and you don't. Battery-good. Dead battery, bad. Keep it charged and check it before you wander out into the cold, cruel world. Does it have a panic button? If it does, does it go anywhere? Does it tie up the channel until you clear it? Maybe a good time to find this stuff out before you're taking rounds? No yelling. No screaming. We know you're scared. We'd like to know where you're scared. Don't forget to let go of the button so you can hear from the cavalry. Light source? No, not your smart phone with a flashlight app. A real flashlight that can do more than put some lumens on your wounds. One that you can use to break a window or use as an impact weapon if you're down to hand to hand combat. A good high lumen LED light can be used to dazzle and blind a bad guy while you put an egg in your shoe and beat it. Remember what we said about the radio batteries? Same stuff applies here. A red light option that doesn't trash your night vision is a good idea. Maybe a small tool that you can McGyver a door open with to provide egress? By the way (or BTW if you only speak Shortattentionspan...) it's poor time management to update your status or post to Instagram #I'mshot!. They'll be plenty of time to do that when you come out of surgery and it'll be more entertaining until the anesthesia wears off. Tricorder? hasn't been invented yet. Get real. Good sturdy shoes/boots. Something you can run in. Those heels may look cool, but they have no place in our little world. Neither do flip flops. Clothes that don't yell "SHOOT ME FIRST!". The OSHA vests and all the glow in the dark stuff are cool, but not when you're trying to be a piece of curb or a mailbox. Be ready to dump it. We'll buy new ones. Leave it on and it'll only get your blood on it anyhow. Have something background matching underneath it. Pink camo? What are you doing, hunting flamingos? Dress for success. Remember, the stuff we wear off duty that identifies us as players will attract the good people who need help (and get you an occasional free cuppa in the Double Dee), It also tells the bad guy to shoot you first. Situational awareness. I don't care if you want to go quietly into that good night, Just don't go stupid. Armor? Are you really going to wear it? It's an excellent idea as long as the bad guy knows to shoot you where the armor is...Its use is a decision your squad has to make. It's not a Superman suit. Depending on the round, it may stop the projectile and trap it in the fibers. IT WILL NOT STOP THE FORCE. With a little luck, armor will spread the energy of the incoming across its surface and prevent major internal injury. Shock plates help doing that. Just include in your equation that surface mounted plates can cause ricochets. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Remember: the hole is just that; a hole. Unless the hole intersects something fatal, we can pretty much get that fixed. The killer is the hydrostatic shock, which the bullet transfers into the tissue that makes you up. That tissue is made up of little bags of water (and some other icky stuff) we call cells. These little bags weren’t really spec’ed out to absorb the energy transfer from a projectile moving at 1500 feet per second. The biggest component of the cell is water. One thing we know about water is that it doesn’t compress. You never have to worry about seeing a fish strolling along Main St in Patchogue with a big fish bowl over its head hooked up to a tank of compressed water on its back. Nope. Not gonna happen. A cubic foot of H2O at sea level measures exactly a cubic foot. Put it on the crumbling deck of the Titanic and it will measure that same cubic foot. So what? it means that energy applied to our bag of water can’t compress said water. If it can’t compress, the bag breaks and the energy goes on to the next cell, the next cell...it just keeps on doing its Energizer Bunny routine. The cells fail. When the cells fail, the tissue fails. When the tissue fails, the organ fails. When the organ fails, the human fails. We have a name for that. Death. You don’t need a bullet hole to die from a gunshot. Strategy: don’t get shot. Hydrostatic shock sucks. It shouldn’t be on your bucket list. We’ve spent enough time on toys. That’s the one advantage to being tubby like me. You can carry more stuff on your Randy Rescue Autograph Model Buffy Belt than some skinny kid. Tactics. Tactics are good. Tactics can get you home. Tactical thinking doesn’t begin when you pull up. It begins long before the tones drop. It begins now. It begins with amassing knowledge. What do you know about your district? Who are the bad guys? Who just got out of jail and has some issues he/she might want to discuss with people whose actions/inactions might have put them inside? Who has a beef with whom? What local gang sets are operating in your neighborhood? Colors? Gang sign? Burglaries? Signs of drug use? Where are the professional girls (or boys) working? Who’s running them? Sneakers on the wire? What’s going on in those bars? Changes in clientele? Bikers? Graffiti? Do you know how to read it? You should. It’s like getting the morning paper delivered. It’ll answer these questions and more. Talk to COPE in the precinct; POP for you guys and girls on the wrong side of 110. They’ll be happy to read you in. It’s a whole lot easier to follow the play when you know who the actors are. Geography. 14th Street and 10th Avenue or 10th Street and 14th Avenue? Problem is, if you’re driving past one to get to the other and that’s where the gunfight is, your day could get spoiled. First things first. NEVER, EVER, EVER roll into a scene that law enforcement hasn’t softened up yet. Wait for Five-Oh. Wait in a safe place. If you can see or hear people running in circles or yelling, you are not in a safe place. Preferably find something under cover. Keep a fair dinkum distance between you and the bad guys. Keep at least two barriers between you and the bad guys. If they breach one, retreat. No scene is ever static. It changes dynamically with every second. It can expand or contract. It can change shape. It can break into little pockets, blocks apart. People can pour into your scenes, and people can pour out. Trick is, stay outside the shape, no matter what. Lights off. doors locked. Wait ‘til somebody smarter than you says it’s okay to slide into the scene. Hide someplace where you can see someone coming your way. You are not the law. You are not there to engage the enemy. Without you, the patient will die. Don’t ask if the scene is safe. Radio doesn’t know. He/she’s not there. They’re listening to the same radio you are (you ARE listening to your precinct’s channel on your scanner, right?). No matter who tells you what, the scene is NEVER safe. Somebody got shot there...how safe can it be? FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Tactical approach. Lookit all the pretty lights. Your “Q” lets everybody know where you are before the bay door goes up. Mix in the air horns, 200 watts of yelp (don’t get me started on the Power Call again...) and maybe...maybe Helen Keller might miss your arrival. If you’ve got a Rumbler, she can probably feel it. Last night, Deer Park got a fuel leak on West 20th Street. I could hear Squad Six leave the House on East Second and Lake and track it all the way to the scene. In my bedroom. In the Heights. On our 20th St. Five miles away. When the guys and girls on the International Space Station can track your progress by the giant ball of flashing red, white, blue, yellow and green light across the landscape below them, and you can be heard two districts away, you’re going to have a hard time sneaking up on the scene. A shooter has a vested interest in the shootee not surviving to testify against him/her. You represent survival for said shootee. Go in quick, go in silent, go in dark. Don’t attract a crowd. Crowds, bad. Empty streets, good. There’ll be enough people there in full drama mode without drawing more. The usual suspects use the crowds who are just looking for excitement anyhow, to block you or hurt you. I’ve had more than one victim point out the shooter in the crowd behind me. Key phrase there...behind me. Bad thing. Call your shot. You know where you have to go. You decide where you need to be to make your job happen. Pick your location and go there. it should have some aspects that you should consider. 1. How do I get out of here? Keep pointed downstream. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. You want the simplest, fastest route out of the vicinity that you can have. Don’t point the bus down a dead end street. Suppose you’re taken under fire when you come to a stop. Think it’s a good time to find out whether or not you can back up that monster at 50 MPH? Pass the scene, turn around if you have to and point yourself in the best possible direction of egress. You want to pick your exit before you plan your entrance. Save the grand entrance for the Red Carpet at the Oscars for your staring roll in “Bringing Out The Dead II”. Remember we said pass the scene? No, I don’t mean go five blocks down. Pass it and either make a U-turn, come back and park long. Either way, park long. Your rear doors should face the scene. While you’re passing, examine as many sides of the box as you can. Interesting survey. How many sides to a box? Most folk say “four”. Truth is, there’s six. How many do we get a chance to check? Please don’t start with the “Exposure Four” stuff. We see the drive up side. We see the front side. We don’t think about it, but we can see an appreciable portion of the top side in many cases. (We don’t even have an Exposure number for that, do we?) If we pass it, we get a view of the downstream side, too. We’re an order of magnitude safer than if we stop short and only get a view of the upstream side and the front of the scene. Don’t forget the bottom of the box. Except in Levittown, most everybody’s got a basement. Where’s the stairs? Below grade garage? Windows? Bullets can come up, too. Look at the people. If they’re not looking at you (if you didn’t take my advice and pulled up lights ablaze...) and your quarter million dollar steed, you might want to find out just exactly what does have their attention. Look for the PD. We’re all familiar with Trunk Sign. Pulling up behind an RMP with the trunk open is never good. By the way, cops? They’re a good thing, right? Truth be told, they just represent several more weapons you don’t control. Blood trails? Where do they go? You’ve got to be a real expert to tell which way they’re going. Just know that they either lead to, or away from somebody who’s having a turrible day. Don’t make their bad day yours. Holes in things? Bad. Broken glass? Bad. Splintered wood? Bad. Brass? Very bad. We’ll get back to brass later, but in the meantime, classify it as a sign of evil afoot. Bleeding people lying about the scene kind of speak for themselves. Are they victims or are they the silver medalists in the Olympic Gun Fight Event? FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Ingress is nice. Egress is much better. I like egress. I like egress so much I figure out several ways of it before I put the bus in park. Fastest, straightest way. There’s a Kill Zone. You’re not sure exactly where that is but, just based on its name, it sounds like a really bad place to spend your afternoon . Do everything in your power to not be in the Kill Zone. Heck, you don’t even want to be in the Wound Zone. The Bullet Hole in the Ambulance Zone is probably a bad place to be too. Ask the folk in South Country. The less time we spend in those zones, the more likely we are to go home. Going home is what it’s all about. Anyhow, do your drive by. Eyes wide, taking everything in. So there’s a guy with a gun. Has your attention does he? Believe it or not, note it and move on. Why? Don’t you want me to keep my gaze upon his countenance? Nope. Who’s he fighting? If everybody else brought a knife to this particular gunfight, he’s your biggest problem. Fail to locate another armed adversary and you might be driving between two clowns about to exchange lessthan-pleasantries. Dead Medic-bad. don’t lose track of the guy, but don’t engage him, don’t make him your sole focus. Keep looking. Best Rule: If there’s one gun, there’s two. If there’s two guns, there’s three . Three means four, and on and on. Never stop looking for the weapon. The scene is NEVER safe. Your life is ALWAYS in jeopardy. When it’s not safe and it’s time to go, go. Don’t dither. Don’t ask questions. Don’t stop for a selfie. Go out the same way you came in: quick, silent and dark. Notice we haven’t stopped turning the wheels yet? Going home alive has a lot of moving parts. We still have more to install. Asleep yet? Think we’ll call a halt to the proceedings for tonight. It’s getting dark and Mom said I gotta be home before the streetlights come on. I don’t want to get grounded. Again. We’ll pick this up again next month, God willing and the cricks don’t rise. We’ll look at some stuff that helps once you put it in “Park”. Let me know what you think. Questions, comments, ideas, observations? Tell me your tales of woe and we’ll share them here. Let’s learn from one another. No sense making mistakes that somebody’s already made. Go out and make new ones. That way we get better at what we do. Maybe one of us will get to go home because of something you didn’t keep to yourself. I don’t have all the answers. Heck, I’m not even sure what the questions are at times. Facebook, Tom Cronogue or e-mail ocrainaugh@aol.com Maybe somebody could explain how Twitter works. Peace, Obewan Chief Thomas Cronogue (ret.) served more than two decades as an officer in the WyandanchWheatley 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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RIDGE
Brush Fire Invitational
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots On May 15th, The Ridge Fire Department responded at approximately 12:00 p.m. to reports of an odor of smoke in the area on Whiskey Road, near Wading River Hollow Road. With the assistance of a SCPD helicopter, the fire was located in an area to the south of Whiskey Road (approx. a 1/2 mile into the woods to the northwest of the RCA radio antennae). With winds beginning to increase, Ridge Chief Michael Gray requested the assistance of at least 9 surrounding departments to battle the large area of brush and high volume of fire that was encountered by his first arriving units. The fire was placed under control at approximately 3:00 p.m. with mop-up operations continuing into the late afternoon. The following departments were on scene: Ridge, Brookhaven, Yaphank, Manorville, Wading River, Rocky Point, Miller Place, Coram, Gordon Heights, and Middle Island.
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MEDFORD
No Parking Zone
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots
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The Medford Fire Department, E.M.S., and officers from SCPD’s 6th Pct. and E.S.U. responded at approximately 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 17th, when the elderly man driving this 2008 Hyundai Elantra lost control while traveling southbound on Gull Avenue, just south of Knickerbocker Avenue. The Elantra traveled across the lawn of 2717 Gull Avenue and ended up being wedged and partially suspended sideways over the sloped driveway of the residence. First responder’s were able to remove the driver, his female passenger, and their dog from the vehicle where the couple were then transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The driver and his passenger’s injuries ranged from moderate to serious.
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MANORVILLE Car vs. Pedestrian
Story and Photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots On Saturday, May 17, 2014 a Ford Escape being driven west bound on South Street, near the intersection of Ryerson Avenue, struck and seriously injured a young boy at approximately 8:15 pm. Officers from SCPD’s 7th pct., SCPD Aviation, Manorville Community Ambulance, and Manorville F.D. responded to the scene. The young boy was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition.
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FARMINGVILLE
Car Flips Over Turn
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
On Sunday, May 18th, The Farmingville Fire Department and officers from SCPD’s 6th Pct. and ESU division responded at approximately 10:45 a.m. for an accident involving an overturned auto. Witnesses stated that the woman driving the Ford had just turned off of the LIE Expressway Service Road, north onto Abner Drive and swerved, to avoid a local resident who was turning into his driveway, causing her car to overturn. The driver of the overturned Ford was being evaluated by Farmingville Fire Department medical personnel at the scene.
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MANORVILLE
Too Many for One Car?
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots On Sunday, May 18th, At least 11 people, mostly children, were injured in a two car accident on Wading River Road at the intersection of the LIE exit 69 eastbound service road. Authorities on scene reported one child was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital due to the seriousness of their injuries. SCPD 7th Pct., Highway Patrol, Manorville Fire Department and Manorville Community Ambulance responded to the accident which occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. between a Chevy Avalanche and a 2003 Ford Explorer. Ambulances from neighboring fire departments were called to the scene to assist with transported the many injured to area hospitals.
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HAGERMAN
Burnt Meal ends in Fire Department Response Story and Photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography
On the morning of Thursday, May 8th, Firefighters from Hagerman responded to a reported fire alarm at a private residence. The stunned homeowners were shocked to find out that burnt food on the stove had actually generated a response from the fire department. Firefighters left from location with small smiles on their faces as the embarrassed family member’s wave good bye.
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LONG BEACH
Heavy Fire on Arrival in Summer Home Story and Photos by Zachary B. Grunther
Just before 4:00 am, on Thursday May 8th, the Long Beach Fire Department was notified for smoke from a house at the intersection of Pacific Boulevard and Coronado Street in West Atlantic Beach. This location is the western-most portion of Long Beach Fire Department’s response area and of the barrier beach island. The first unit to arrive on scene was Lawrence-Cedarhurst Chief Anthony Rivelli [3201] who confirmed a working house fire (signal 10) at 2094 Pacific Boulevard. Within minutes, Long Beach Chief Rich Corbett [231], Engine 2342 from Long Beach and Ladder 325 from Lawrence-Cedarhurst were on scene. Firefighters were met with heavy fire on the second floor upon arrival. Searches took place; finding out this was an unoccupied summer house. With the help from Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Point Lookout-Lido, Island Park, Oceanside, Inwood and Atlantic Beach Rescue, the fire was put under control in short order.
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BAY SHORE Car Rolls
Story and Photo by Ken Bradbury On Saturday, May 10th, the Bay Shore FD responded to an MVA at the intersection of Manatuck Blvd. at the North Service Rd. of the Sunrise Highway. 1st Assistant Chief John Ippolito Jr [3-1-31] responded and reported negative overturn or entrapment when arriving on the scene. The one car MVA occurred when the vehicle traveling at a high speed rate tried to negotiate an exit ramp and lost control of the vehicle skidding on the shoulder. The vehicle was secured by the crew from 3-1-2 [Engine Company] and all units returned to quarters.
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SELDEN
Tree Wins against Car
Story and Photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography
On the morning of Saturday, May 10th, two people were injured when the car they were in left the roadway and struck a tree. The accident occurred in the southbound lane on County Road 83, just north of Mooney Pond Road in Selden. The cause of the accident led SCPD to administer a breathalyzer to the driver. Selden firefighters secured the car and transported 2 people to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.h
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FARMINGVILLE Smokey Sunday Night
Story and Photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography Late Sunday night, firefighters from the Farmingville Fire Department responded to a working fire on the second floor of a private dwelling in Farmingville. Firefighters from Farmingville made entrance through the front door and a one man show begun on the roof as Firefighter Coffey was able to cut vent holes above the fire. The initial response was a light crew and was later joined by other firefighters. Selden firefighters were called as R.I.T. and stood by on the front lawn. The fire was deemed under control about 25 minutes later by 5-18-31. All unit took up about 1 hour later and no injuries were reported.h
HEMPSTEAD
Multiple Aided at Mother’s Day MVA in the Hub Story and photos by Kevin Madigan / K2M Photography On the morning of Sunday, May 11th [Mother’s Day], the Hempstead Fire Department was alerted to a motor vehicle accident on Baldwin Road between Weir Street and East Marshall Street. Responding units were advised that there were multiple vehicles involved and aided on scene with the possibility of a vehicle on fire. As units arrived on scene, they were met with a three vehicle accident with negative fire or entrapment. The report of fire came from a possible airbag deployment. Because there were several aided on scene mutual aid was requested from the South Hempstead Fire Department. The neighboring department responded with Ambulances 743 and 743A. In all, at least seven people were transported from the scene to an area hospital. North Shore LIJ also assisted in transporting patients. All fire department units were under the command of Hempstead Assistant Chief Roger Falk [81].
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CENTRAL ISLIP Dryer Fire Causes Panic
Story and Photos by Ken Bradbury On Tuesday, May 13th, the Central Islip FD was activated for a report of a structure fire at Courthouse Commons on Finch Court. All Central Islip Chiefs responded and were given reports that the occupant reports a dryer fire and she is trapped on the balcony by the fire. 3rd Assistant Chief Patrick Murphy [3-7-33] arrived on scene observing the occupant a female who was nine 8 ½ months pregnant standing out on the balcony of the first floor. She could not climb over the balcony fence due to her condition. Chief Murphy assisted her to safety and the CI vamps handled the small fire with no problem. Chief Kevin McAteer Jr. [3-730] was incident commander and mutual aid departments included Islip Terrace, East Islip, Islip, and East Brentwood.
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MASTIC BEACH
MVA Worked with Assistance of Neighbors Story and Photos by John Walthers FD Rant News / Suffolk Fire Photos
On Wednesday May 14th, at about 7:40 PM, the Mastic Beach Fire Department and Mastic Beach EMS were both dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on Hugenot Drive and Dogwood Road West. Mastic Beach EMS first responder unit 80 was first to arrive on scene from EMS and Fire Chief Michael Montella [513-30] was first to arrive for FD and was the incident commander for his department. On arrival, both agencies went to work assessing the scene to see how many patients they had and if anyone was pinned. No occupants in either vehicle were pinned so members began to set up the patients for transport and secured the cars. Multiple people were transported to local hospitals with assistance from Manorville and Mastic EMS. All units took up from the scene by about 8:20 PM.
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LONG BEACH
Gas Main Break in the Beach
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan / K2M Photography
On the morning of May 14th, the Long Beach Fire Department was notified for a full department response to the scene of a gas main break at the intersection of East Park Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. When units arrived on the scene, they were met with the break of a four inch gas main. Knowing that this was going to be an extended operation, Long Beach Command requested mutual aid units to the scene and to back fill the Long Beach firehouse. Firefighters checked nearby businesses and residences for readings but did not come up with any. Long Beach Ladder 2372 checked a nearby school to ensure there was no immediate threat to the students or staff. Within an hour’s time, National Grid was able to access and shut down the breached main. Not long after the leak was contained was the scene placed under control [signal twelve transmitted] by Long Beach Command. While units operated at the scene, East Park Avenue was closed between Neptune and Pacific Boulevards. Long Beach Command [with Unit 234] was positioned on Roosevelt Boulevard just south of Park. The mutual aid units called to the scene included: Point Lookout-Lido Ladder 254, Atlantic Beach Rescue Ambulance 369 and an ambulance from Point Lookout-Lido and Inwood. Oceanside was among the units standing by for Long Beach. At least two people were evaluated by medical personnel on the scene or in the vicinity of the main break. All fire department units were under the command of Long Beach Chief of Department Richard Corbett [231].
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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JERICHO
Firefighters Quick Actions Save the Historical Milleridge Inn Story and Photos by Kim Versheck - LNBN
Milleridge Inn Fire - LNBN
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
Shortly after midnight on May 14th, the Jericho Fire Department was alerted for an automatic fire alarm at the Milleridge Inn at 585 North Broadway. Chief of Department Carl Johnson [9401] was first to arrive on scene and upon his size up, found a smoke condition coming from the structure. Chief Johnson quickly transmitted a working fire and requested the 2nd alarm assignment to the scene. Jericho Engine 945 arrived and dropped a supply line as they made their way to the rear of the building. Assistant Chiefs John Lottes [9402] and Steven Cohen [9403] joined the arriving crews as operations chiefs and found the source of the smoke to be a fire in the second floor kitchen. With the kitchen fire extending into the ceiling, Tower Ladder 941 vented the roof above. As firefighters began to get water on the fire, roof crews reported they had fire in the cockloft. This brought in another round of mutual aid to the scene and to cover the district. The firefighters worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to the dining rooms and brought the blaze under control about 30 minutes. Crews were careful to minimize any further damage to the building during overhaul. No injuries were reported and the Nassau Fire Marshal was called to investigate the origin of the fire, which was deemed to be non-suspicious. The fast actions of the Jericho firefighters with the help of Syosset, Hicksville, Westbury Plainview, East Norwich, Bethpage, Carle Place and Farmingdale helped save the historical Milleridge Inn and contain most of the damage to the kitchen. The well known landmark has been a part of Long Island’s history since 1672 and many have enjoyed a special event in one of their dining rooms. Thanks to the efforts put forth by everyone on scene the Milleridge Inn was able to reopen by Friday night and no events were canceled. A kitchen in another building on the property will be used until the damage can be repaired and there will be many of happy brides that had their days saved by Long Islands Bravest.
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FREEPORT
Gas Brake Mixup Leads to Drive Thru Pet Store
Story and Photos by Kevin Madigan /K2M Photography At 10:35 hours on May 15th, the Freeport Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a car versus building at 19 Atlantic Avenue [between Bedell and South Main Streets]. When units arrived on scene, they found that a vehicle had gone through the front of a pet store inside the strip mall. The pet store, located at 21 Atlantic Avenue, did not have any pets inside the front display at the time of the accident. The lone employee working was grooming a canine at the rear of the store. The two occupants of the auto were evaluated by medical personnel on scene but refused medical attention. No pets or persons were injured. The Freeport Building Department was requested to the scene and all fire department units were under the command of Freeport Chief of Department Billy Walsh [2100].
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FREEPORT
Trees save Woman from Dangerous Fall Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography
Click Here For More Photos FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
At 08:27 hours on the morning of May 15th, the Freeport Fire Department was notified of a car on its side and against a tree with possible entrapment. Units were advised that the accident was located on the southbound ramp from the Meadowbrook State Parkway to westbound Sunrise Highway. When firefighters arrived on scene, they found one overturned auto with negative entrapment. Despite going over the guardrail and nearly down a steep embankment, the driver was able to self-extricate. She was evaluated on scene by Nassau County EAB but did not appear injured. All fire department units were under the command of Freeport Third Assistant Chief Matt Colgan [2103]. The scene was left in the hands of New York State Police.
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Phone: 631-505-3778 E-mail: FRSTraining@aol.com FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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MANORVILLE MVA Car vs Pole
Story and Photos by Kevin Conn On Thursday May 15, 2014, at approximately 1020 hours the Manorville FD and Manorville Community Ambulance were activated for a MVA, Vehicle vs Pole. Upon Arrival of responding SCPD 7th Pct units, Moriches Middle Island Road was closed to vehicular traffic. Upon Arrival of Manorville Chief Snow [5-16-30], 1 aided was already out of vehicle, Negative entrapment and a pole was down which only had a guide wire attached between that pole and another pole across the street. Manorville unit’s 5-16-6 and 5-16-1 arrived and secured the vehicle while Manorville Community Ambulance crew of 5-40-19 treated the aided and transported her to Brookhaven Ambulance for further evaluation and treatment for her injuries. The Town of Brookhaven Highway Department, which had a yard right near accident, assisted with a pay loader to move the downed pole from the roadway. All units were secure and the road reopened within a half an hour of activation.
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EAST MEADOW
Car Stops, Doesn’t Shop
Story and Photo by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography
Click Here For More Photos
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
On the morning of May 16th, the East Meadow Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a car versus building with possible entrapment at Stop n Shop [2525 Hempstead Turnpike off of Newbridge Road]. When units arrived on scene, they found a single vehicle accident in which a Honda sedan struck the building. The driver of the auto, the lone occupant, was not trapped inside the vehicle but had gone into traumatic arrest on the scene. It was unknown if the victim had gone into traumatic arrest before or after striking the supermarket. First responders worked quickly to remove the victim from the auto and County Ambulance 2389 went on to transport them to an area hospital. The extent of the victim’s injuries was unknown following the accident. All fire department units were under the command of the Officer in Charge off of East Meadow Ambulance 6144. Once fire department units were released the scene was left in the hands of Nassau County Police.
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SOUTH FARMINGDALE Good Stop
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography At 12:53 hours on May 16th, the South Farmingdale Fire Department was alerted to a report of a house fire next to 16 7th Avenue. South Farmingdale Chief of Department Jimmy Martin was among the first to arrive on scene. When units arrived on scene, they found a fire on the outside of 11 7th Avenue. The fire, located on the number one side of the residence, was primarily knocked down by the homeowner prior to fire department arrival. South Farmingdale Engine 972, the first engine company to arrive on scene, stretched and operated one line to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. Mutual aid units on the scene to assist included: Farmingdale Ladder 926, East Farmingdale Ladder 1-5-15, and Bethpage Engine 905. The scene was placed under control approximately twenty minutes into the operation. All fire department units were under the command of South Farmingdale Chief of Department Jimmy Martin [9701].
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SELDEN
LATE NIGHT MVA
Story and Photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography
On the night of Sunday, May 18th, just before midnight, the Selden Fire Department responded to an MVA at County Road 83 and Middle Country Road. Selden firefighters, under direction of Chief Matteo [5-25-31], secured both the car and truck involved and transported one aided to Stony Brook Trauma Center.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FREEPORT
“Jumbo” Gets New Home
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography In February of 2013, members of the Freeport Exempts Association held a groundbreaking ceremony for the building of a garage for Jumbo. For those that don’t know, Jumbo is a 1906 Nott Steam Pumper and its nickname comes from its seven ton weight. It served the Freeport Fire Department during two different tenures early in the twentieth century. The pumper was motorized by the American LaFrance Company in 1916 [previously horse drawn] and was utilized by Engine Company One in Freeport. The new garage to house Jumbo was completed early in 2014 and is located behind the Freeport Exempts Hall at 9 North Long Beach Avenue. Previously Jumbo was kept behind Freeport Fire Headquarters at 15 Broadway. The new garage will keep Jumbo out of the elements and around for many more years to come.
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LONG BEACH and POINT LOOKOUT-LIDO
Members Honored for Saving Sacred Scrolls
In Picture from left to right- Ex Capt. Josh Weiselberg, FF Clare Boyle, Lt. William Wade, Chief Daniel Wiener, Captain Jared Siegelman, Lt. Zachary Grunther, FF Josh Riskin, FF Richard Beckwith (Absent from Picture Commissioner Scott Kemins)
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
Story by Zachary Grunther Photo Courtesy of PLLFD Lido Engine Facebook On February 26th 2014, A Long Beach synagogue’s Torah scrolls were saved by members of both the Long Beach and Point Lookout-Lido Fire Departments. A fire broke out on the third floor of the synagogue and Chief Cueves said, “we knew that this was a place of worship and that there were items inside that were important to our Jewish community.” During the operation, Commissioner Scott Kemins ordered the Members of the Point Lookout-Lido Fire Department into the building to retrieve the Torahs. Members of the Rockaway Citizens Safety Patrol responded to the scene to retrieve the saved Torahs. Members expected to see the Torah’s all burnt up or damaged by water, but because of the fast thinking of the firefighters, they saved all the items. On Monday May 21st, the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club-N.Y. Metro Region awarded the members of Long Beach and Point Lookout-Lido for their heroic actions by saving the cherished Torahs.
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KINGS PARK
Overturned Truck with HazMat Story by Jeff DiLavore Photos by Jim LoDuca – KPFD Photo Unit
On Saturday May 17th, the Kings Park Fire Department responded for an overturned truck in front of 1 Bonnie Drive just north of Fort Salonga Road [Route 25A]. Under the direction of Chief Dan Guilfoil [4-130], the injured driver, who apparently lost control of the vehicle before crashing, was extricated and treated at the scene by Kings Park EMS crew while other crews tended to a large leak of driveway sealant coming from the back of the truck. The slope of the roadway was causing the product to flow downhill toward a storm drain. Crews quickly built a dike around the storm drain and allow the product to pool until the DEC spill response team arrived to remediate the spill and also to offload the remaining product that was leaking.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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SMOKE ON T
Photo by C
Boats from Wantagh, Babylon, West Islip and Lindenhurst FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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THE WATER
Chris Colletti
operate at a recent brush fire in Copiague on Indian Island. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Dedicated Suffolk County Fire Service Member and Ex-Chief Answers Last Alarm John Urevich
A memorial service was held Saturday, May 10th for John M. Urevich, of Riverhead, who died April 11, 2014 at the age of 48. Urevich, a senior dispatcher in the Hampton Bays Fire Department, had served since 2006 as chairman of the Central Pine Barrens Wildfire Task Force as well as chairman of the board of the New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, volunteering his free time to serve in both capacities. Previously, from 1998 to 2005, he had served as vice chairman. As a firefighter during the 1995 Sunrise and Rocky Point wildfires, he had developed an understanding of the prominent role of weather in its effects on the behavior, intensity and spread of wildfires and brush fires on Long Island and, in response, was instrumental in advancing the implementation of a fire weather monitoring and forecasting system in the Pine Barrens. FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Fire weather data from this system is now widely distributed throughout Suffolk County and is relied upon by many fire departments in planning for wildfire response, especially during times of high fire danger. As Wildfire Task Force chairman, Urevich advocated for widespread adoption and use of Firewise, a program designed to help homeowners make their residential properties, especially structures, more resistant to wildfire damage. After the major Crescent Bow Wildfire in 2012 in Ridge and Manorville, he helped develop and promote a multi-pronged approach to wildfire planning and response which also included creating a more firefighter-friendly updated version of the Central Pine Barrens Fire Management Plan. As chairman of the board of the New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, which became both a nationally and internationally-renowned institution during his tenure, Urevich sought to bridge the gap between wildland and structural firefighting. He helped expand efforts to improve and enhance training for local firefighters in regard to wildfire behavior and response and the incident management system. Urevich promoted efforts to offer tuition-free training to the volunteer fire service, oversaw outreach programs to local fire departments to expand their participation and helped expand academy course offerings. Most recently, he helped develop, implement and support a course in the safe and effective operation and use of brush trucks, the primary apparatus used on Long Island in wildfire suppression. A tireless advocate of the fire service, Urevich participated personally in its classroom instruction and during the field training portion, served in multiple capacities, including as a field director. Urevich was also affiliated with many other fire fighting organizations. He volunteered with the Riverhead Fire Department Ever Ready Engine Company #3 and the Riverhead Exempts Volunteer Fireman’s Association. Previously, he had served as a member of the Flanders Fire Department. In addition, Urevich previously served as a chief with the Flanders Fire Department and as treasurer of the Suffolk Fire Chief’s Council and treasurer of the Suffolk County Fire Districts Managers’ Association. He was a graduate of Riverhead High School and a long-time resident of Riverhead. According to his family Urevich greatly enjoyed volunteer firefighting and they described him as a “leader of the fire service who always led behind the scenes.” He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Catherine (née Stotsky); his dogs, Peyton and Peggy Sue, whom he referred to as “the girls;” his parents John and Arline; his sister and brother-in-law, Laura and David Minsk; his nephews, Daniel, Justin and Noah Minsk; his sister-in-law, Patricia Stotsky; aunts; cousins; great-nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. Arrangements were handled by McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Cremation was private. A celebration of life service took place Saturday, May 10. Memorial donations may be made to Kent Animal Shelter, 2259 River Road, Calverton, NY 11933 or the New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, care of: Central Pine Barrens Commission, 624 Old Riverhead Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978. Publisher’s Note: While I never had the pleasure to meet Mr. Urevich, it is clear that he was devoted to the fire service on many levels. Men of his dedication and knowledge do not come along every day and the fire service will certainly miss his leadership and guidance. All of us here at FD Rant News send our condolences to Mr. Urevich’s family,
friends and colleagues in the fire service – JD
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A Remembrance of John Urevich by Bill Fonda
John Urevich was a friend to many and a man greatly admired and respected. He will be greatly missed and his passing leaves a great void in both the fire service and within the Central Pine Barrens Commission organizations. He was a visionary, highly capable, hard-working, intelligent, dedicated and passionate leader in the fire service and as the Chairman of both the Central Pine Barrens Wildfire Task Force and NY Wildfire and Incident Management Academy. As a long-time volunteer firefighter himself, who served in several departments and in different positions, John helped bridge the gap between structural firefighting and wildfire suppression and prevention. He had a vast amount of experience and knowledge and was an expert in many aspects of the fire service. John was one of the first to recognize the importance of weather and its effect on wildfire behavior and wildfire suppression strategies and tactics and helped to ensure that information was conveyed to local fire departments. Due to his strong advocacy and efforts, the Central Pine Barrens Commission purchased and installed a fire weather station in the Central Pine Barrens and the data from that station is used to create a daily fire weather forecast that is transmitted to fire departments throughout Suffolk County. John was a passionate advocate for wildfire training for the local fire service and did all he could to make it as accessible as possible by ensuring many courses were tuition-free and by ensuring that many courses were offered on weekends. He was instrumental in developing and implementing an inaugural course in the capabilities and operation of brush trucks, the primary apparatus used by Long Island Fire Departments in fighting brush fires and wildfires. Early on, John also saw the benefits and promises of the Firewise program which aids homeowners in making their properties more resistant to the hazards of wildfires. He participated in a number of public forums and outreach efforts to help spread the word on this program. Submitted by Bill Fonda Regional Citizen Participation Specialist and New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy Coordinator NYSDEC
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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EAST FARMINGDALE Early Morning Worker Handled
Story and Photos by Eric Devine and Kim Versheck
Around 4:00 am on May 18th, the South Farmingdale Fire Department was alerted for a full department mutual aid response to East Farmingdale, for a reported house fire at 54 County Line Road. The East Farmingdale Fire Company was out of service due to their annual installation dinner. The Village of Farmingdale was also alerted for an engine to the scene as members of South Farmingdale started to turn out. First Assistant Chief Jim Martin [9701] was first on the road and was advised that SCPD reported a working fire. Chief Martin arrived on scene to find a heavy smoke condition pushing from a 2 story split level structure and quickly transmitted the working fire. As the re-tone went out the Village of Farmingdale was upgraded to send an engine and a ladder to the scene and North Amityville was called for the FAST. South Farmingdale Engine 972 took the hydrant in front of the home and pulled past the house in the dead end street leaving room for Ladder 978 behind them. With vehicles in the driveway South Farmingdale firefighters were joined by the crew of Farmingdale Ladder 926 to begin their searches for any occupants. The firefighters found that the fire was well involved and had already made its way to the attic, as the first line was put in service. As the primary searches proved negative, the floor in the 3 / 4 corner gave way and command made the decision to make an exterior attack. North Amityville Heavy Rescue 1-7-5, Farmingdale Engine 921 and Engine 923 were put to work manning hose lines as the fire had now made its way through the roof. West Babylon Heavy Rescue 1-9-15 became the new FAST unit and East Farmingdale Fire Company Engines 1-5-1 and 1-5-6 arrived to give the crews a breather. North Lindenhurst Ambulance 1-11-7 joined South Farmingdale Ambulance 976 on scene at medical command.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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East Farmingdale Fire - LNBN With the sun now rising the fire started to darken down, allowing the secondary searches to be made. Once again the searches proved negative and overhaul got underway. As firefighters continued to hit some hot spots the Town of Babylon Fire Marshal arrived on scene to investigate the cause of the fire. Seaford Ladder 683 was brought up to the scene to help with the extensive overhaul and engine crews helped pack the almost 1000 feet of 5 inch hose that was dropped from the secondary hydrant to the scene. The scene was brought under control in just over two hours and no injuries were reported.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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APPARATUS OF THE FIRE SERVICE Brookhaven Engine 2 @ 24 to mastic
Mastic FD Engine 2 and firepolice at a gas leak Feb 26th- Walthers
Photo by John Walthers Members of Commack march in the 2014 Memorial Day Parade Mastic Units 4 & 3 pumping at 13-35
Mstic Heavy Rescue 5-12-10
photo by David Reiff
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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BALDWIN
Grand Marquis Makes Grand Entrance
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan K2M Photography At 17:46 hours, on May 19th, the Baldwin Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a car versus building with possible entrapment at 846 Merrick Road [with a cross street of Grand Avenue]. When units arrived on scene, they were met with a two vehicle accident with one of the autos having struck a vacant storefront. Fortunately, no extrication was required and one person was transported to an area hospital. Nearby technical rescue teams from Freeport and Rockville Centre were notified to respond but soon after were disregarded. Once the one aided was transported, units on scene began to take up and were released with the scene left in the hands of Nassau County Police from the First Precinct. All fire department units were under the command of Baldwin First Deputy Chief Karen Bendel [2051].
http://www.k2mphotography.com/Firefight-
OCEANSIDE
Crews Hop Up to Roof for Hopper Fire
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan /K2M Photography
http://www.k2mphotography.com/Firefighting/ Oceanside-Fire-Department/2994-Long-Beach-
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
Late in the morning on May 19th, the Oceanside Fire Department was dispatched to 2994 Long Beach Road [D&M Custom Cabinets Inc.] for a report of a sawdust bin on fire on the roof of the building. Oceanside Third Assistant Chief Kevin Klein [2403] was among the first to arrive on scene and found a bin, known as the hopper, burning on the roof of the building. The Chief requested the truck company pull to the rear of the building prior to the engine. Oceanside Ladder 244 took to the rear of the building while first due Engine 249 stretched in behind them. Two lines were stretched with one going into operation on the roof of the building. The second line stood by at the base of the hopper. Within thirty minutes, all visible fire was knocked down and the scene was placed under control. The fire was believed to have been started by welding on the pipes surrounding the hopper. The official cause remains under investigation. Oceanside Command initially requested units to standby for Oceanside and an additional tower ladder to the scene; however, these units were disregarded. All fire department units were under the command of Oceanside Chief of Department Will Madden [2400].
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COPIAGUE
School Bus Collision Causes Overturn Story and Photos by Chris Colletti – LNBN
Copiague School Bus Overturn MVA On Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 around 3:15pm, the Copiague FD and Suffolk Police 1st precinct units were activated for multiple reports of a motor vehicle accident with reports of an overturn involving 2 school buses with injuries in front of 455 Molloy Street. Copiague FD 1st Assistant Chief Dan Campion [1-331] and 3rd Assistant Chief Mark Rosenberg [1-3-33] arrived on scene and had an overturned mini bus versus a full sized school bus. The driver and child in the mini bus had self extricated prior to arrival of the fire department. Mutual aid was requested from Amityville and North Amityville fire departments for 1 ambulance to the scene. They transported all of the injured to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip with non-life threatening injuries. SCPD ESU-1 was on scene to handle the upright of the mini bus. A SCPD Motor Carrier Safety Unit was also on the scene for an investigation into the accident.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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COPIAGUE
Indian Island Nature Preserve Brush Fire Story and Photos by Chris Colletti - LNBN
On May 20th, 2014 around 4:30pm, just as the Copiague FD was packing up from their motor vehicle accident scene, an alarm came in for a reported brush fire at the end of East Santa Barbara Rd and Sunrise Ave on the Indian Island Nature Preserve. Already on scene at a motor vehicle accident, Copiague FD 1st Assistant Chief Dan Campion [1-331] responded to the brush fire, while Copiague FD 3rd Assistant Chief Mark Rosenberg [1-3-33] took over control of the motor vehicle accident scene, which was placed under control shortly after the brush fire alarm was activated. All units went directly from the accident to the brush fire and assisted all units already operating on scene. The only hydrant close enough to the scene was hit by Engine 1-3-10 on the corner of East Santa Barbara Rd. & Sunrise Ave., making it an extremely long stretch of 5’’ supply line to the dead end of the street where the fires emerged on Indian Island. The only way to gain any access to the fires was by boat only. Initially, firefighters had stretched a 2 ½’’ hand line attempting to hit the fire from the dock as the island is only a short distance from shore. As the wind was picking up, small additional pockets of fire had started to emerge. Some of them were starting deeper into the woods making the dockside firefighting an extremely difficult task. Ladder 1-3-4 was set-up in an effort to try and fly the ladder over the canal to get a knockdown on the fire. Instead, it was used later into operations for an aerial view to give command a progress report from up above. Lindenhurst FD Marine Unit 1-6-20 was the first mutual aid boat to arrive on scene. Firefighters gained access to the small pockets of fire further south on the island which were unable to be put out from land. SCPD Marine Kilo arrived shortly after and assisted as well putting their hose line into operation. Babylon FD Marine Unit 1-2-12 was next arriving on scene to assist. They attempted to hit the additional fires and hot spots that emerged a little further north on the island, some of which were deep seated into the woods. Command had requested additional boats for mutual aid to assist the other boats already operating on scene. The Lindenhurst FD deployed their flat bottom boat, 1-6-19. The Wantagh FD responded with Marine 1 from Cedar Creek Marina in Wantagh and the Islip FD towed their boat 3-4-26 to a boat launch site nearby in Copiague.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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Copiague FD "Indian Island" Brush Fire
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
Firefighters were then shuttled by Lindenhurst FD Boat 1-6-19 to the island equipped with chainsaws to create a pathway into the woods and give a size up and progress report on the fire they were unable to see from land. Others went and gathered up shovels, rakes and additional brush fire equipment. Hose line packs also were brought to the scene as a supply line was going to be stretched across the canal to get to the fires that were deep seated within the woods. The wind soon died out and the sun began to set, firefighters had the main body of fire knocked down. They continued to hit any of the remaining hot spots as well as soaking down the areas of brush that were burning earlier in the operations. Assisted by the mutual aid department’s chiefs as well as the Town of Babylon and Suffolk County Fire Coordinators, the 4 hour battle against the brush was finally placed under control around 8:30 PM.
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MACARTHUR AIRPORT Wheels-up Landing
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui FD Rant News/LiHotShots On Monday, May 20th, the pilot of a small plane radioed in to the tower that their landing gear would not go down and that they needed to make an emergency "gear-up" landing at MacArthur Airport at approximately 10:30 am. No injuries were reported
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BRENTWOOD
Car vs. Building
Photos and story by Ken Bradbury
http://deerparkfirephoto.smugmug.com/MVAs-1/52114Brentwood-MVA-Suffolk
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
On Wednesday May 21st, the Brentwood FD was alerted for a report of an MVA with a vehicle into the building on the corner of Suffolk Ave. and Wicks Rd. 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Derbyshire [3-2-32] was in Command of the scene with assistance from 3rd Assistant Chief John Boyle [3-2-33]. It was determined that the vehicle, a late model Lincoln Town Car, had not struck the building but was up against it. Four people were transported to an area hospital and both vehicles where secured by the truck crew from unit 3-2-18. Medical transport was handled by the Brentwood Legion Ambulance Corp.
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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CENTER MORICHES Brush Fire Clears Farm Land Story and Photos by Kevin Conn
On May 21, 2014, the Center Moriches FD was activated for a Brush Fire in the vicinity of Railroad Ave and the Sunrise Service Road South. Chief Ronald Primus [5-4-30] was first on scene and requested a pumper and brush truck to respond. Engine 5-4-1 was the first unit to arrive and the crew quickly started to knock down the fire on the east end which was approaching a shed and chicken coup. Upon arrival of 5-4-12, GI Brush Truck, which arrived with a light crew did combine with the crew from Engine 1 to continue knocking down the active fire with the brush truck. Chief Primus requested Brookhaven Town Fire Marshall to respond, 5-0-45 arrived on scene shortly thereafter. While crews worked on putting out the fire, Fire Police 5-4-10 responded and closed eastbound traffic on the Sunrise Service Road just west of the scene due to the smoke condition passing over the roadway. Chief Primus transmitted a signal 4 within a half an hour from the time of activation and all units were back in service less than an hour from activation. The fire consumed an area of the farm land approximately 100’ x 400’ in size.
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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COMMACK
Ruptured Gas Main Closes Commack Road
Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – FD Rant News On May 21st, just before 10:00 am, the Commack Fire Department received a call for a gas leak in front of the Premier Diner located at 690 Commack Road. Upon arrival of 2-11-40, he alerted incoming units that workers had digging a trench had struck the gas main with heavy machinery. Engine 2-11-4 arrived on scene and picked up a hydrant on Imperial Gate which was one block north of the incident location. The crew then flowed water onto the leaking gas to prevent possible ignition. National Grid located the valve and shut down the flow of gas about an hour later. Commack Road between the Long Island Expressway North Service Road and Henry Street was closed for several hours and the occupants of the diner and also the Hampton Inn hotel were evacuated during the incident. Under the direction of Captain Warren Myers [2-11-51], Commack operated on scene for about an hour and a half with 3 engines and a heavy rescue. Commack VAC provided an ambulance to standby on the scene for the duration as well. East Northport sent an engine to standby at Commack quarters.
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BRENTWOOD Blazing Car on Arrival
Story and Photos by Ken Bradbury
Click Here For More Photos On Thursday, May 22nd, the Brentwood FD responded to a report of a car fire on the Eastbound Southern State Parkway, west of Route 111. 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Derbyshire and 3rd Assistant Chief John Boyle responded. Chief Derbyshire was first on the scene, reporting a fully involved auto on the left shoulder. Bay Shore also was alerted for the same call reported to be a motor vehicle accident but that was later one of the same. Truck 3-2-18 was first on the scene followed by Engine 3-2-15 and 3-2-5. Bay Shore responded with an Engine 3-1-2 and their Heavy Rescue 3-1-8 under the direction of Chief John Ippolito Jr. [3-1-31]. The fire was quickly extinguished with no incidents.
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“Grant-Guys” is NY’S largest fire-grant writer representing volunteer and combination fire departments in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. We represent over 100 fire departments and ambulance in corps. in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk. We write four basic grant applications: Assistance to Firefighter Grant Application (AFGP), SAFER (Staffing and Adequate Emergency Response), Fire Prevention and Safety (FPS), and NYS DEC. We identify, write, submit and track your AFGP applications from start to finish. As our grants are all submitted on-line, it doesn’t matter where you are located. We communicate through phone, Skype, and e-mails completely. In addition, we will work with, and train your grant-committee to get it up and running and self-sufficient. Twice annually, we conduct our highly successful “grant-camp” where we review and explain all of the grants we prepare, and discuss changes to up-coming grants. Upon award, we complete all related federal or state paperwork until you are fully closed and paid. We also assist in all press relations and in obtaining letters of support from elected officials. Our firm is 100% volunteer firefighter owned and operated.
2012 MAJOR RECENT AWARDS: Port Washington: AFGP. $366,000. PPE Bethpage FD: Critical Infrastructure Protection Grant. $80,000 Manhasset Lakeville FD: AFGP $300,000. Driving Simulator Smithtown FD: AFGP $796,000. SCBA (5 Regional Partners). Lynbrook FD: SAFER. $121,000.Recruitment and Retention. New Hyde Park FD: AFGP. $200,000. Rescue Truck Great Neck Alerts: SAFER. $500,000.(12 regional partners). Mercerville, NJ: SAFER. Hiring of 2 full-time firefighters. 15 NYS DEC 2012 Awards on LI.$25,000. Urban Area Security Initiative: $75,000. DASNY.$300,000.
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MANORVILLE
Truck Strikes Overpass
Story and photos by T. J. Lambui-FD Rant News/LiHotShots On Thursday, May 22nd, a tractor trailer carrying a large metal tube, heading west bound on the Long Island Expressway (Route 495), struck the Halsey/Manor Road overpass at approximately 1:20 pm. The cylinder was dislodged from the trailer and needed to be transferred to a flatbed. The right and center lanes of the west bound LIE and the Halsey/Manor Road overpass were closed indefinitely while authorities inspected the bridge, which was damaged. An official on scene says part of the metal support for the bridge was bent. SCPD Hgwy. Patrol and Motor Carrier Safety units responded to the scene.
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BETHPAGE
Quick Stop despite Colliers Conditions Story by Kim Versheck – LNBN
Just before 1:00 am on May 24th, 2014, the Bethpage Fire Department was called out for a reported house fire at 61 Linen Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters had fire showing from the windows of a bedroom in the 1 / 4 corner of a 1 story ranch home. The crew of Engine 9044 placed the first of two lines in operation, as Ladder 3 started opening up. As crews entered the home, they were confronted with a collier’s mansion condition. Searches were assisted by Ladder 4 and Rescue 3 and proved negative, as engine crews from 9077 and 905 placed another line in service. The fire was brought under control in less than 30 minutes and one civilian was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Hicksville as the FAST and Plainview were on scene during operations.
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BALDWIN
Fast Moving Fire Results in Major Damage Story and Photo by Fred Kopf
Three Baldwin residents were left homeless after a fast moving fire raced through the second floor and attic of their Baldwin Harbor home Memorial Day weekend.Sunday evening, May 25th, just before 8:00PM, dispatcher eighteen of the Baldwin Fire Department alerted the department to a reported house fire with people trapped at 3069 Anne Street between Jay Way North & Jay Way South. He reported to responding chief units that multiple calls were being received. First Assistant Chief Werfelman [2051] arrived on scene and transmitted a signal 10, working fire. She quickly advised that all occupants were accounted for and that nobody was trapped.Heavy fire was showing from two windows on the second floor and through the middle of the roof of a two story, 50x50, split level, wood framed, peaked roof private dwelling with heavy black smoke pushing from several windows and attic vents.Multiple lines were stretched by all four Baldwin engine companies to confine, control and extinguish the fire on the second floor and attic. Members of Baldwin’s two truck companies after conducting primary searches spent the next 90 minutes opening up and exposing hidden pockets of fire. Due to the tremendous amount of opening up additional truck companies from Oceanside and Freeport were put to work to assist with all the intensive labor.After one hour, the fire was declared under control. Unfortunately, the family dog perished in the fire, whose cause is being investigated by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries with one requiring transport to a local hospital for treatment.All operations were under command of Chief of Department Craig Yanantuonno [205] with assistance from Deputy Chiefs Werfelman and Jazylo [2052].
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GLEN COVE
Memorial Day Weekend Fire Story and Photos by Andrew Carpenter
Click Here For More Photos On May 25th, 2014, just before 8:00am, the City of Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to an investigation of smoke in the area of Continental Place.saw a visible column of dark smoke while responding and requested the call be upgraded to a general alarm for a possible house fire. Upon Chief Grella's arrival, heavy fire was visible from 8 Crow Lane in the 1/2 corner and a working house fire (Signal 10) was transmitted. Assistant Chiefs Marvin Tate [5203], Robert Marino [5202] and Chief of Department Joseph Solomito [5200] arrived shortly after and Chief Solomito established command. First due Engine 525 immediately placed a hand line into operation in the front of the house while the second due engine began to attack exterior fire in the rear. A total of 4 hand lines were placed in operation in addition to a ladder pipe from Tiller 5211 to combat a large volume of fire through the roof. Fire was found on all floors and quickly knocked down. Additional departments on scene included the Glen Cove Volunteer EMS with ambulances 5281 & 5283, Locust Valley Fire Department with Ambulance 541 and Sea Cliff Fire Department with Ladder 574. East Norwich Fire Department and Oyster Bay Fire Department were requested to standby and cover the City of Glen Cove.
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PATCHOGUE
Hang Glider Crash Lands in to Tree Story and Photos by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography Additional Photo by Cameron Wilken On the afternoon of Sunday, May 25th, the SCPD, several local fire department technical rescue squads, NYPD air rescue and Suffolk County ESU were called out to the south end of Conklin Street in Patchogue to rescue a para-glider who lost control and ultimately crashed into a tree. The crash resulted in the para-glider operator being trapped about 80 feet in the air, in a tree, for approximately two hours. As SCPD and NYC helicopters flew overhead, members from the Patchogue Fire Department truck company were able to reach the subject after cutting their way into the wooded area with chain saws. The young man was eventually placed into a safety harness and then pulled into the bucket of the truck. Once on the ground, ems treated him for a head injury and cuts and bruises.
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KINGS PARK
Another Memorial Day Water Rescue Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – FD Rant News
On Memorial Day, May 26th, shortly after 12:00pm, the Kings Park Fire Department received a call for people in the water on the Nissequogue River. As Chief Dan Guilfoil [4-1-30] was responding to The Bluff at the end of Old Dock Road, Smithtown Communications [4-2-0] activated Kings Park’s mutual aid pre-plan for dive teams and boats to respond from Northport, St. James, Nissequogue and Nesconset. There was a strong outgoing tide when Kings Park launched their boat [4-1-19]. Northport and St. James arrived on scene but did not launch as the two victims were removed from the river in the vicinity of Riveria Drive and Lakeview Drive fairly quickly. Ambulance 4-1-63 relocated to Riveria from the Bluff when it was determined that the victims would be brought to shore at that location. Engine 4-1-4 responded there as well. Both victims were treated by Kings Park EMS and RMA'd. Nesconset had their dive team and Town of Smithtown Bay Constables had two vessels on scene as well. Assistant Chiefs John Gallo [4-1-31] and Tim Clark [4-1-32] were also on scene to direct operations. As a side note, a separate incident occurred to the west of that location near the mouth of the Long Island Sound where three other victims were pulled out of the water by another civilian boat while this incident was taking place. This is also the 2nd year in a row that the Kings Park Fire department responded to a water rescue in this vicinity on Memorial Day; last year causing them to miss the annual Memorial Day parade.
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CORAM
Overturn in the Rain
Story and Photo by Christopher Sabella On Scene Photography On the night of Thursday May 22nd, 2014, firefighters from Coram responded for a reported overturn at County Road 83 and Pine Road in Coram. The car was traveling northbound on County Road 83 when the driver lost control on the wet roadway. The car started to overturn after hitting the curb forcing the car off the roadway and stopping after striking a tree leaving the car on its side. The dazed driver was able to free himself and was treated by Coram EMTs and paramedic before being transported to a local hospital for treatment.
BALDWIN
Grand Marquis Makes Grand Entrance
Story and photos by Kevin Madigan-K2M Photography At 17:46 hours, on May 19th, the Baldwin Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a car versus building with possible entrapment at 846 Merrick Road [with a cross street of Grand Avenue]. When units arrived on scene, they were met with a two vehicle accident with one of the autos having struck a vacant storefront. Fortunately, no extrication was required and one person was transported to an area hospital. Nearby technical rescue teams from Freeport and Rockville Centre were notified to respond but soon after were disregarded. Once the one aided was transported, units on scene began to take up and were released with the scene left in the hands of Nassau County Police from the First Precinct. All fire department units were under the command of Baldwin First Deputy Chief Karen Bendel [2051].
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BALDWIN
Ends Drought with First Job of the Year
Story and Photos by Kevin Madigan - K2M Photography Additional Photos by Fred Kopf
Click Here For More Photos Minutes into May 22nd the Baldwin Fire Department was dispatched to 3139 Eastern Parkway [on the corner of Hayes Place] for a report of a car fire. As fire department units began responding they were advised that the car had extended to the home as per Nassau County Police on scene. With this information the alarm was upgraded to a general alarm response. When the first units arrived on scene they were met with two cars on fire with significant extension to the home nearby - the signal ten [working fire] was immediately transmitted. Baldwin Engine 202 was the first engine company to arrive on scene and stretched at least three lines off of their rig while second due Engine 201 stretched at least one line of their own. Baldwin Ladder 206 was the first truck company to arrive on scene and was able to take to the front of the home. .
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When the working fire was transmitted Freeport was notified for the FAST and sent Tiller 218 to the scene. Members of Freeport Truck Company were put to work during the operation due to the fire load present. Freeport also sent Engine 211 to standby in Baldwin Headquarters. Mutual aid also consisted of Oceanside Ladder 244 and Engine 246 to the scene with a Hempstead Ladder and Merrick Engine among the units standing by. Within forty-five minutes the main body of fire was knocked down and soon the scene was placed under control. The cause of the fire remained under investigation. All fire department units were under the command of Baldwin Chief of Department Craig Yanantuono [205]
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FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
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NORTHPORT
7th Annual Chuck Varese Vehicle Extrication Tournament Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – FD Rant News
On Saturday May 10, 2014, the Northport Fire Department hosted an event named after a beloved member of their department who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 2008. Ex-Chief and event organizer Robert “Beefy” Varese told me that this tournament is a tribute to his son, Chuck Varese, as a way to remember his commitment and dedication to the fire department he loved so much. The event took place at the Northport Fire Department training facility in Steer’s Pit, commonly referred to as “The Pit”, located at Steers Avenue and Clipper Drive. Over 30 vehicles were donated to the event by Gershow Recycling. Numerous vendors were on hand to support the event as well. This year, 12 fire departments were represented with 21 teams competing in various “heats” where different extrication scenarios put members to the test for speed, safety and accuracy in performing tasks using multiple extrication tools. The judges watched closely as the clock was running to be sure that members operated safely while they tore through the junk vehicles while they completed various tasks. At the conclusion of each event, judges took the time to confer with the teams to discuss the operation and point out both the positive and negative aspects with the intention of providing valuable learning experiences to all involved. At the end of the day, the final heat came down to three teams; all tasked with doing a dashboard roll and roof removal on similar modeled cars. In the end, the Greenlawn Fire Department took home 1st place honors with Commack Team 2 in 2nd and Huntington Manor in 3rd. The proceeds from the day’s events were donated to the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center.
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FACES OF THE FIRE SERVICE Members of Melville
Members of Huntington Manor
Members of Greenlawn
FD Rants News - Volume 3 Edition 6 - May 2014
Members Of Commack
Members of East Northport
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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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