1st Responder Lon Island March Edition

This section is exclusively dedicated to coverage of Long Island emergency services PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

LONGISLAND WWW.1RBN.COM

NEWS

MARCH, 2017

SABELLA/ON SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Melville, NY - On Sunday, January 29th at approximately 10:45 P.M., the Melville FD was activated for a reported gas station fire located on Walt Whitman Road. First arriving units were met with a heavy fire load through the roof of Richie's Citgo Station. Fire command went immediately to an exterior operation with the help of multiple mutual aid departments. Firefighters used multiple hand-lines and tower ladders to battle the blaze for over two-hours before it was declared under control.

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March, 2017

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MADISON CASILLO JOHN WALTHERS /SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

Brush Fire in Northport Quickly Extinguished Northport, NY - The Kings Park Fire Department received a call for a brush fire just before 8:00 P.M. on January 29th. The fire was reported to be up against 20 Oakmere Drive. Units arrived to find an area of brush burning, with no threat to the nearby structure. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire without incident and took up shortly after.

Firefighters work to extricate the driver of this car who was trapped after an MVA.

Mastic Firefighters Extricate Driver After Car Crash Shirley NY - On the morning of January 13th at about 10:34 A.M., members of the Mastic Fire Department were activated to respond to a car crash at William Floyd Parkway and McGraw Street. On arrival, Chief Rudy Sunderman advised that the driver of one vehicle was confirmed trapped and Rescue-10 was needed to respond.

Once on-scene, the rescue

JUMP TO FILE #011317104 crew immediately put their Hurst Tools to work and worked to free the driver. The driver’s door was quickly removed and the patient was taken by EMTs to an awaiting ambulance. Firefighters finished ensuring that the car was secured before cleaning up the scene. An

additional engine and Fire Police were also on-scene to assist with the fire department's operations.

Shirley Community Ambulance was also mutual aided to the scene to help transport patients to the hospital. According to police, three people were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries.

- JOHN-PAUL WALTHERS

SABELLA/ON SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Overturned Vehicle Snarls Traffic in Selden Selden, NY - On the afternoon of February 1st, Selden firefighters responded to Middle City Road for reports of an overturned car. The driver of the overturned vehicle had self-extricated before firefighters' arrival. The driver was treated on scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

SABELLA/ON SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Blaze Ravages Citgo Gas Station in Melville Melville, NY - On Sunday, January 29th at approximately 10:45 P.M., the Melville FD was activated for a reported gas station fire located on Walt Whitman Road. First arriving units were met with a heavy fire load through the roof of Richie's Citgo Station. Fire command went immediately to an exterior operation with the help of multiple mutual aid departments. Firefighters used multiple hand-lines and tower ladders to battle the blaze for over two-hours before it was declared under control.

1ST Responder Newspaper - LI

March, 2017

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CORPORATE INFORMATION

1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New York edition - Vol. 18 No. 2 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $36 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for t y p o graphical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.

845-534-7500• (fax) 845-534-0055 Info@belsito.com

MADISON CASILLO

Firefighters Respond to Garage Fire in East Northport East Northport, NY - Just before 4:30 P.M. on Saturday, January 28th, the East Northport Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire on Arleigh Road. Crews arrived to find heavy fire in the garage of a two-story dwelling and requested a re-tone on the alarm, bringing in Mutual Aid from the Kings Park and Greenlawn Fire Departments. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire without incident. There were no reported injuries.

WALSH/ON SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Woman Saved from Burning Car on Long Island Expressway

Ronkonkoma, NY - An off-duty firefighter from Elmont and an SCPD highway patrol officer are being credited for pulling a woman from almost certain death on February 1st, after her car collided with a truck and erupted into flames on the Long Island Expressway. The female driver was trapped in the burning and overturned car when she was rescued. The Expressway was closed in both directions due to the heavy, thick black smoke that was covering all lanes.

PUBLICATION CONTENT Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Advertisements are sold pursuant to the “space available” and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in this publication does not express nor imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. vouches for the credibility of the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.

Additional news from Long Island can be found on our website at www.1rbn.com

HAROLD L. JACOBS

Three People Injured in Shirley MVA Shirley, NY - On January 27th, Shirley EMS and the Brookhaven FD were toned out for a reported MVA on William Floyd Parkway and Northen Blvd. Chiefs from Brookhaven FD arrived on the scene with Shirley EMS and confirmed a car versus pickup truck. Brookhaven FD rescue trucks and engines went right to work, putting down speedy dry for fluids on the roadway. Fire Police closed off one lane to let firefighters clean up and put the speedy dry down. Firefighters removed the car from the scene and one lane was reopened shortly after. Shirley EMS transported three people from the scene with unknown injuries.

SABELLA/ON SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Early Morning Arson Fire in Selden

Selden, NY - Just after 3:30 A.M. on January 31st, Selden firefighters were dispatched for a working fire at 10 Alma Avenue.

Firefighters, under the direction of Chief of Department Bill Xikis, made an aggressive interior attack upon arrival and found three separate fires in the house. Arson investigators were then called to respond to the suspicious fire. Mutual Aid from the Coram, Terryville, Centereach and Farmingville Fire Departments responded to the scene. The fire was extinguished quickly and under control within 30-minutes of arrival.

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March, 2017

JOHN WALTHERS /SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

Brookhaven Firefighters Handle Car Crash

Shirley, NY- On Tuesday, January 24th, the Brookhaven Fire Department was called out to respond to an MVA on William Floyd Parkway, near Beacon Street. Rescue-4 responded to the scene. On arrival, ex-Chief Thomas Connors assumed Command of the alarm. The crew went to work, ensuring that both vehicles were secured. Fire Police also assisted to help direct traffic and keep the scene safe for those operating.

EVAN ROLLA

HAROLD L. JACOBS

Car Fire in Shirley

Shirley, NY - On January 8th, Brookhaven firefighters were toned out for a reported car fire in front of 14 Arpage Drive West. SCPD arrived on the scene and confirmed they had a working auto fire. A Brookhaven engine arrived on the scene shortly after and quickly dropped a line, making a great knockdown on the fire. The car was a total lost and the cause of the fire was unknown.

BUDDY SHOTS If you have photos you would like to see in our Buddy Shots feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

EVAN ROLLA

Crews Battle House Fire in Hauppauge Hauppauge, NY - The Hauppauge Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire on Northfield Road around 2:15 P.M. on January 29th. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire at 224 Northfield Road and requested the alarm to be reactivated as a working fire, bringing in Mutual Aid from the Smithtown and Nesconset Fire Departments. Crews placed multiple hand-lines into operation, as well as a tower ladder for ventilation. The fire took about 30-minutes to completely knock down. One person was transported via CIHVA to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries.

JOHN WALTHERS/SUFFOLLK FIRE PHOTOS

Mastic, NY - Members of Shirley Community Ambulance after assisting with rehab support at a recent structure fire in Mastic.

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March, 2017

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JOHN WALTHERS /SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

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Car Versus Pole in Yaphank

Yaphank, NY- Just after 2:30 P.M. on January 17th, the Yaphank Fire Department was called out for an MVA on Yaphank-Middle Island Road near Rustic Road. On arrival of Rescue-15, personnel found that a car had struck a pole which caused wires to come down across the road. Firefighters and police helped to secure the scene and closed the road while personnel operated. Members of the ambulance crew treated the driver of the vehicle and transported her to a local hospital. According to police, the driver of the Nissan was later arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.

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HAROLD L. JACOBS

Car Crashes into Parked Vehicles in Brookhaven

Brookhaven, NY - On the morning of January 22nd, the Brookhaven FD and South County EMS were toned out for an MVA with possible hazmat. Brookhaven FD units arrived on the scene within minutes after dispatch to find one vehicle that had crashed into two parked cars in a parking lot.

Firefighters confirmed that there was no hazmat situation and went right to work checking the vehicles involved. One vehicle was leaking fluids, so firefighters put speedy dry down.

South County EMS transported one person from the scene with unknown injuries. The vehicle had also crashed through a couple of signs before coming to a stop after hitting the two other vehicles. The cause of the MVA was unknown.

EVAN ROLLA

Four Transported to Hospital After MVA in Commack

Commack, NY - Emergency personnel were called to Motor Parkway and Moreland Road in Commack for reports of an MVA just after 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 25th. A total of four people were transported to nearby hospitals for unknown injuries.

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March, 2017

1ST Responder Newspaper - LI

Jaws-of-Life Needed for SUV Versus Tow Truck Mastic Beach, NY - On January 14th, Mastic FD and Mastic EMS crews were toned out for an MVA on Mastic Road and Hawthorne Street involving an SUV JUMP TO FILE# and a flatbed tow 011416104 truck. Firefighters from Mastic FD arrived on the scene to find one occupant trapped in the SUV and radioed back to the heavy rescue unit that they were going to need the Jaws-of-Life and cutters in order to free him/her. Firefighters checked the flatbed truck, but no occupants were found.

Firefighters from the heavy rescue truck went right to work cutting the roof and removing doors from the SUV in order to free the trapped occupant. An engine from Mastic FD dropped a one-and-a-half inch line just in case it was needed.

Firefighters freed the trapped occupant, who was then put in an ambulance and transported to a local hospital for further treatment. SCPD was on the scene searching for the driver of the flatbed truck, who had ran from the scene.

- HAROLD JACOBS

HAROLD L. JACOBS

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Car Crashes into Gas Pump, Pinning Person on Other Side Shirley, NY - On January 14th, 911 dispatchers received a call reporting a pedestrian struck at the Mobil gas station located at 1430 William Floyd Parkway. Personnel JUMP TO FILE# from Mastic FD and 011417106 Mastic EMS were just returning back from an earlier MVA when they were dispatched to respond to the incident.

When Mastic FD members arrived on the scene, they found that a car had crashed into a gas pump, causing it to push into and pin the occupant of a pickup truck that was on the other side of the pump. All of the gas pumps were immediately shut off after the crash.

The Mastic FD heavy rescue crew arrived on the scene and went right to work, dropping a one-anda-half inch line as a safety precaution from one of their engines.

Firefighters placed blocks under the pickup truck and were able to free the occupant who was pinned between the pump and pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup truck was transported to a local hospital for treatment of unknown injuries.

Injuries to the driver of the car involved were also unknown. The gas station was closed while awaiting for the arrival of the town's Fire Marshal.

- HAROLD JACOBS

HAROLD L. JACOBS

HAROLD L. JACOBS

1ST Responder Newspaper - LI

March, 2017

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IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

HAROLD L. JACOBS

FRANK ROBINSON

The Centereach Fire Department operates a 2006 Spartan/Crimson 1500/500 as Engine-9.

HAROLD L. JACOBS

FRANK ROBINSON

The Huntington Manor Fire Department runs a 2005 American LaFrance 100'LTI Tower Ladder.

HAROLD L. JACOBS

Mastic FD Battles Working House Fire Mastic, NY - On the evening of January 12th, 911 dispatchers took a call for a house fire at 70 Clinton Avenue. Mastic FD members arrived on the scene and found heavy fire in a split level house. A re-tone was then requested for a working fire. The Brookhaven FD was requested to the scene as the RIT team while the Ridge FD was requested for an engine. The Manorville FD was on standby at Mastic FD's main house. The first-due engine had to force the front door open and was met with heavy fire. The firefighters made a heavy attack on the fire and it was declared under control about 45-minutes later. There were no reported injuries. The SCPD Arson squad and Brookhaven Fire Marshal were called in to investigate the cause.

The Sound Beach Fire Department operates a 2006 Pierce Saber 4x4, 1500/750.

FRANK ROBINSON

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Vehicle Crashes into Shirley Fast Food Restaurant Shirley, NY - At approximately 11:40 P.M. on January 23rd, firefighters from the Brookhaven Fire Department responded to a call reporting the need for assistance during a large storm, involving a car that struck a Checkers restaurant building on William Floyd JUMP TO FILE# Parkway.

012417103 On arrival, Chief Loiacono advised incoming units that a car had crashed into the glass doors of the building. Chief Loiacono also advised his crew that the driver was still in the car but was not trapped, and they would be waiting on EMS before removing the person.

Rescue and engine crews responded to the scene and went to work ensuring that both the car and the building were secure while members from the Shirley Ambulance Company evaluated the occupant of the car. The patient was removed from the vehicle and transported to a local hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

No one was inside the building at the time of the incident, as it was closed for repairs after a previous accident in October had caused a fire to erupt inside. The Fire Marshal was also requested to the scene to inspect the building.

- JOHN-PAUL WALTHERS

JOHN WALTHERS /SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

JOHN WALTHERS /SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

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1ST Responder Newspaper - LI

ALL IN THE FAMILY If you have photos you would like to see in our All in the Family feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.

JOHN WALTHERS/SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

JOHN WALTHERS/SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

JOHN WALTHERS/SUFFOLLK FIRE PHOTOS

Shirley, NY - Brookhaven Fire Department ex-Chief Thomas Connors with his two sons, Firefighters Craig and Jeff Connors, after operating at a recent MVA.

JOHN WALTHERS/SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

Brookhaven Firefighters Battle Early Morning Car Fire Shirley, NY - On the morning of January 12th at about 3:25 A.M., members of the Brookhaven Fire Department were called into action. Dispatchers had received a call reporting a possible car fire on William Floyd Parkway, near Surrey Circle. Chief of Department Giuseppe Loiacono was the first fire department member to arrive at the scene. Upon arrival, he found a fully involved car on the side of Surrey Circle, across from TD Bank. The first-due engine immediately went to work, stretching a line to attack the fire. Two engines responded to the scene as well as Fire Police, who closed the intersection to keep firefighters safe while they operated.

JOHN WALTHERS/SUFFOLLK FIRE PHOTOS

Mastic, NY - The Greene family of Mastic proudly serves their community as members of the Mastic Fire Department. (L to R): Lieutenant Chris Greene with his father, Comissioner Pat Greene and brother, Captain Dan Greene of the Mastic FD at a recent commercial structure fire.

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The After Affects of LODD or Injury STAYING SAFE

Chief Henry Campbell

Who else is affected when a firefighter gets injured or killed is a question many of us in the fire service tend to avoid, or not dwell upon. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make the realities and pain of life go away and all emergency service personnel should realize that the death and/or injury of a firefighter will have far reaching impact in their family, department and community.

The injury that befalls a firefighter can be a lasting and traumatic experience; in some instances, it may require extensive long-term medical treatment and care, maybe disfiguration, paralysis, or living the rest of one’s life with a permanent disability. It can be a very high price to pay, especially if the injury could have been prevented. The ultimate price would be the death of a firefighter as an immediate result of performance of duty, or at a later date from complications from injuries sustained while in the performance of duty. Needless to say, death is final, the last whistle has blown and the game has come to an abrupt end. Spouses, families, friends, department and community will be heartbroken and saddened, and they may be devastated by the loss of a brother/sister firefighter.

With the sadness brought about by death or injury, in the days and years ahead there will be many problems and issues that will have to be addressed and overcome, and in most instances, they will have a lasting impact on the family, department and community. We can evaluate this impact in the form of physical, financial, emotional and psychological stress.

The physical damage will be in the form of the injury, medical care needed and potential for rehabilitation. Many firefighters think small when they think of injuries; a cut, broken bone, sprain, minor burn, or some form of injury that will be short-term and soon forgotten. Unfortunately, there are other forms of injuries that may render the firefighter incapacitated for the rest of their life, placing a tremendous burden on family, friends and the department to always be there in support. Some victims and their families may have tremendous difficulty in handling the emotional and psychological trauma that can accompany long-term injury and potential confinement to bed, a wheel chair,

or walker, and the endless medical appointments and treatments. Included will be the additional stresses in providing home care and transportation for an incapacitated individual. It will not be an easy task, and it will be fraught with deep mixed emotional feelings and at times, frustration and “Why me?”.

What about the financial and economic aspects of being injured? Who will pick up the bills, both medical and living expenses?

In most instances, it will be the department's insurance carrier, or the local municipality, or state government through Workers Compensation, Volunteer Benefits Law, or the state pension system. What about future educational requirements for children and all those little extras one gets accustomed to, where will the extra cash come from? In most instances it stops and may bring about a change in lifestyle for the family.

The department will suffer for a variety of reasons, including saddened and weakened morale, increased costs for liability and workers compensation, increased workload, and additional operating costs. Some of these will also trickle down to the community, as any financial increases for the department will inevitably be passed on to them. The department and the community will be effected by the loss of services.

In the death of a firefighter, much of the impact and burden mentioned previously will be similar, but nothing will replace the fallen firefighter. There will be the mourning and wake, generally followed by a departmental funeral attended by colleagues from surrounding jurisdictions, all of which is quite ceremonial and impressive. More importantly, it doesn’t bring you back to life. Neither will all the benefits that come with dying in the line-of-duty. And remember, you don’t get the benefits, your survivors do as they will surely need them. These benefits have greatly increased over the years, but they still aren’t worth dying for. Practicing firefighter safety and maintaining an attitude to stay safe will help keep you out of harm’s way and extend your life and career.

Remember, death is forever and much longer than life, so do your best to live a long, healthy life in the performance of your duties by looking out for your personal safety and the safety of your fellow firefighters. When you do, you will also be looking out for those silent partners consisting of family, friends, department and community, to whom you mean so much.

Till next time, Stay Safe and God Bless!

March, 2017

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FACES OF LONG ISLAND’S EMERGENCY SERVICES To see your “Faces” in the newspaper, upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com, email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com or mail them to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street. New Windsor, NY 12553.

Mastic, NY - Mastic FD Chief Rudy Sunderman gives orders at a recent commercial working fire (Manor House Restaurant on Montauk Highway) as firefighters look on.

JOHN WALTHERS/SUFFOLLK FIRE PHOTOS

Shirley, NY - Mastic Firefighter Kappel after helping at a car accident on January 13th.

JOHN WALTHERS /SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

Mastic, NY - Mastic FD Probationary Firefighter Rudy Sunderman working the scene of an MVA on January 14th.

JOHN WALTHERS /SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS

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