FD Rant News Special Edition Hurricane Sandy Part 2

LONG ISLAND FD RANT NEWS Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November, 2012

HURRICANE SANDY - PART 2

The morning after Hurricane Sandy devastated Long Island a rainbow is visible from the shoreline in Long Beach

Farmingville Restaurant Fire – Page 6 Massapequa Gets Out of Town Assistance – Page 9 Holbrook Battles Commercial Fire During Nor’Easter – Page 12

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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Long Island FD Rant News The #1 digital publication for the Long Island Fire Service covering the NEWS you want to hear about.

In Part 1 of our Special Edition coverage of Hurricane Sandy we saw coverage of some of the early fires and emergencies that took place as the storm approached and also as it battered our area. We also had analysis of what made this storm so unusual and so historic. In Part 2 of our coverage, we have additional coverage of emergency scenes in the days following the storm along with an early look at some of the agencies that responded from outside our area from Upstate New York and as far away as Pennsylvania and Indiana.

During this crisis, Long Island was lucky enough to have additional resources provided by our brothers throughout the fire service. After speaking with many members of departments that ran hundreds of calls in just a few days, I kept hearing a similar theme: all of the days just started blending together and many of them were actually too tired to run any more calls. They welcomed the relief that their department received and in every case, they commended the departments that shouldered the burden of responding to alarms in areas where they were completely unfamiliar with the surroundings but still managed to get the job done.

This edition also has coverage during the second storm that hit our area on November 7th which just added insult to injury. At that time, tens of thousands of people were still without power, the lines at gasoline stations were a mile long [literally] and many people were living in their flooded homes without heat.

We also started to see something encouraging start to happen. People began to organize various benefits to help the victims of the storm who lost everything. Even as we publish this edition, there are numerous fund raisers and benefits for various communities hardest hit along the South Shore in Nassau and Suffolk along with the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens and also the borough of Staten Island.

The calls did not stop coming in and the fire service never stopped responding as Long Islanders slowly began to try to get some sense of normalcy back into their lives. In the past week or so, power has finally been restored to most of the residents on Long Island. Many residents in the hardest hit areas are still without power due to the overwhelming destruction in their neighborhoods and we can only hope that they will be back on line soon.

As we said in our previous edition, all of us here at LIFD Rant News send our best wishes to everyone who has been affected by this past month’s events and hope for the best for all of you during this recovery process. All submissions or inquiries can be sent to FDRantNews@verizon.net.

Jeff DiLavore – Owner/Publisher Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2

CONTENTS

Long Island FD Rant News Northport, N.Y. 11768 Phone: 631.766.3287 Email: FDRantNews@verizon.net Owner/Editor/Publisher Jeff DiLavore Associate Editor Brian Welliver

Cover Photo by Fire Marshal Paul Hartje

This edition is dedicated to all the first responders who continued to render assistance to their neighbors throughout the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy and beyond.

We put the N-E-W back into news. We run stories that are days or weeks old; NOT months old. We are fresh and new; not old and stale. LIFD Rant News-You’re #1 source for news about the Long Island Fire Service.

Contributing Authors Phil Lichtenberger Jim McNamara Robert Senn Tom Rinelli Joe Laino Mike Cappoziello Correspondents Chris Colletti Lauren Cronemeyer Eric Devine Eric Dobrini Lauren Foschino Robert Garofalo Paul Krussmann Kevin Madigan Ralph Moniello Brian Olsen Chris Sabella Joe Sperber Nick Stein Matt Thomas Kim Versheck Brian Welliver Submit Stories and/or Photos to: FDRantNews@verizon.net Be sure to send contact information including name, phone number and email address.

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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Sandy Pounds “The Bluff” at KINGS PARK Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – LIFD Rant News These photos were taken at 11:30 am on October 29, 2012. The winds were already gusting to over 65 mph and sustained winds were in the 40 mph range. This is where the Long Island Sound meets the Nissequogue River. This area is generally known for its swift incoming and outgoing currents but on this day the water was angry as waves pounded the shore and battered the docks near the boat launch.

KINGS PARK Responds During Sandy Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – LIFD Rant News At the height of Hurricane Sandy, Kings Park FD was running multiple alarms for storm related emergencies which included an automatic alarm for a building fire at Park View Elementary School [photo left]. Upon investigation by Chief Dan Guilfoyle [4-1-31] and the crew of Engine 4-1-2, it was determined that the high winds [with gusts estimated to be in excess of 90 mph] tore the roof off a section of the building which led to flooding in many of the classroom. Prior to this alarm, units handled wires down on Primrose Lane [photo right]. According to the Chief’s office, the Kings Park Fire Department ran 155 alarms within 48 hours from 10/29-10/31.

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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SEAFORD Wakes Up To A New View Story and Photos by Lauren Foschino – You’re My Focus Photography Homeowners in Seaford woke up to a whole new kind of morning. House boats on the water floated off their foundations and ended up on people’s front lawns, in the middle of the road, and sunk to the bottom of the water. Boats from Treasure Island Marina got torn off their dock lines and floated away. Boats already shrink wrapped for the winter were found face down in the water. People had boats on their front lawns. Boats were piled on top of each other. Some people from the marina said that they couldn't even find their boats. The cars that were left in the marina were put up on a fork lift to keep them on high ground but the water level came up to high and destroyed them all. An excavator came in and crushed all the cars and threw them into a dumpster along with all the docks that were ruined. The owner of Treasure Island Marina estimated millions of dollars’ worth of damage. The look on his face was unexplainable as to everything that was destroyed.

Link to Gallery: http://youremyfocus.smugmug.com/Other/Hurricane-Sandy-10-2912/26228237_zd2GzL#!i=2211164531&k=rzB7h9W

WYANDANCH House Fire Injures Two Story and Photos by Brian Welliver On Thursday November 1, 2012 the Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company responded to a report of a house fire at 40 Brook Ave. Upon arrival a working fire was transmitted for a one story private dwelling with heavy fire on the first floor. Wyandanch Wheatley Heights Ambulance Crops already responded and transported two patients for smoke inhalation. Two lines were stretched by crews to quickly knock down the fire. The incident was marked under control within about thirty minutes and all crews were up within an hour of the alarm.

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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FARMINGVILLE Battles Restaurant Fire Story and Photos by Chris Sabella - On Scene Photography Friday night November 2, 2012 after 8pm Farmingville Fire Department signed on the air with a reported working fire at J&C 68 ASIAN CUSINE on Horseblock Road just west of Blue Point Road.

Farmingville Chief 5-18-30 reported visible flames and smoke coming from a 2 story multi-peaked roof of 654 Horseblock Road and requested mutual aid from Holtsville for R.I.T. and 1 engine from Selden to its main house. Farmingville firefighters began roof operations to vent and sent several hand lines through the front and side doors to do battle. About 15 minutes into the fire all firefighters were ordered off the roof and an aggressive interior attack was continued until the fire was brought under control about 20 minutes later. No injuries were reported at this time and the fire is under investigation.

Click Here for Full Gallery from On Scene Photography

BETHPAGE Gets Work After Sandy Story and Photos By Eric Dobrini – Edobs Photography

On Friday afternoon of November 2, 2012 the Bethpage Fire Department was dispatched after receiving multiple calls for a house fire. Before the fire department arrived the neighbors were trying to knock down the fire with a garden hose. The fire which started in the garage, extended to the second floor. Engine 44 was the first engine on scene followed by Ladder 3 and Ladder 4. Both trucks put their sticks up and sent the roof teams to cut the roof while the first due engine brought the line into the garage and knocked it down quickly. Mutual aid was sent in by Hicksville, Farmingdale, and Levittown.

Click Here for Full Gallery from Edobs Photography

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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Shorthanded OCEANSIDE Douses Duo of Autos Story and Photos by Kevin Madigan - K2M Photography Just after three in the afternoon on November 5th, the Oceanside Fire Department was dispatched to 3330 Murdock avenue [Royal Avenue as the cross street]. As Oceanside and storm related standby units began to arrive near Murdock Avenue they were met with a noticeable smoke condition. Upon arriving on scene, units were met with two cars fully involved in a driveway and extending to neighboring homes. At least two lines were stretched and put into operation [one of off Oceanside engine 249 and another off of Good Will Rescue 315] to fight the fire. Within minutes, firefighters were able to knock down the main body of fire and keep the fire from extending into the homes. Extensive overhaul was performed to ensure the homes were not further damaged.

Mutual aid originally called for a Baldwin FAST truck to the scene but all mutual aid units were disregarded. One of the vehicle owners was checked out by medical staff on scene. All operating fire department units were under the command of Oceanside Chief of Department Tommy Bettes [241].

Link to gallery: www.k2mphotography.com/Firefighting/Oceanside-Fire-Department/

Garage Fire For NORTH MASSAPEQUA Story and Photos by Lauren Foschino - You’re My Focus Photography On November 4, 2012 the North Massapequa Fire Dept. responded to a report of a house fire on North Nassau Ave. A Nassau County PD helicopter was above the house reporting a fully involved garage. A working fire was transmitted upon the chief’s arrival. The fire was in an attached garage and exposure to the house was a major problem.

Mutual aid units were from Massapequa and Seaford. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire was caused from a fireplace. The fire started in the chimney and spread quickly to the garage.

Link To Gallery: http://youremyfocus.smugmug.com/Firefighting/North-Massapequa-Fire-Dept/128-N-Nassau-Ave-Signal10-11/26328451_XS4zCF#!i=2193962649&k=hrNjzgx

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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FARMINGDALE Battles House Fire Photos by Oppedisano On Saturday, November 3rd Farmingdale Fire Department was called out for a reported structure fire at 32 Jerome Drive.

Upon arrival of units a signal 10 or Working Fire was transmitted. Rapid Intervention Team was requested by East Farmingdale Fire Department.

South LINDENHURST Aftermath Photos Story and Photos by Jeff DiLavore – LIFD Rant News These photos were taken on November 10th in the area of Shore Road and Pacific Street.

The crane in the photos was called in to lift a boat that had been displaced into a resident’s yard.

The neighborhood was filled residents gutting their homes and putting many of their destroyed possessions to the curb. The streets were still covered in debris and dirt that was left behind once the flood waters receded. Sadly, some residents reported looting in the area which prompted some of the residents to post warnings to any would-be criminals.

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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EAST FARMINGDALE Assists T.O. Babylon Fire Marshals Photos by Brian Welliver and Duane Welliver On Sunday November 4, 2012, the East Farmingdale Fire Department Technical Rescue Team was called to Oak Beach in Babylon to assist the Town of Babylon Fire Marshalls to mitigate any hazardous materials that were left behind after Hurricane Sandy. While at Oak Beach the members of East Farmingdale and also the TOB Fire Marshalls found several damaged propane and oil tanks. Crews operated throughout the day collecting damaged tanks and surveying the area for any spills. Several damaged tanks were removed from Oak Beach and brought to the Town of Babylon Landfill in West Babylon.

MASSAPEQUA FD Gets Assistance From Upstate Departments Photos and Story by Robert DeNaro These photos were all taken on Gloucester Road, Massapequa. The upstate standby crews from Amenia, Hughsonville, and Fairview New York were found operating at this location. All of these departments were standing by for the Massapequa FD. Pictures are of Hughsonville FD (Chief and Heavy rescue), Amenia (Picture with truck and members) and Fairview (Engine).

Massapequa FD was very busy responding after the storm to a variety of calls that were storm related. They responded to numerous CO alarms, and also Many Investigations, also a HAZMAT incident on Jeanette Drive for a spill of Sulfuric Acid inside a house by a cleaning crew on 11/7. The standby crews and along with the fire department passed by my house an enormous amount of times.

They also responded to several automatic alarms caused by restoration of power to a given location. They also had several working fires.

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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USAR Teams From Around The Country Photos by Fire Marshal Paul Szymanski In preparation for Hurricane Sandy USAR (Urban Search & Rescue) Teams from around the County were strategically deployed throughout Long Island to assist in recovery efforts. These teams specialize in Technical Rescue Operations that may result from natural disasters and major accidents. These teams are deployed to provide support to local departments in initial medical stabilization of victims that may become trapped in structural collapses and in confined spaces. These teams were vital in the recovery efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Search & Rescue Dogs Used During Recovery Photos by Fire Marshal Paul Szymanski

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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Nursery Burns in HOLBROOK Story and Photos by Robert Garofalo

The Holbrook FD responded to a reported commercial structure fire Wednesday November 7th at approximately 1645hrs. The fire at the “BloominHaus” Nursery on Waverly Avenue consumed the single story wood frame structure utilized as an office.

To complicate the operation members responded during the height of the year’s first snow fall during a Nor’easter. Under the command of 3-15-32 Chief Chris Heinssen, members from first due Engine 2 being supplied by a 5” line stretched the primary attack line to begin darkening down the fire. Additional members from arriving units stretched a backup line to assist in extinguishment. Once the fire was knocked down members began a cautious overhaul as the integrity of the structure was compromised. The North Patchogue FD responded to the scene with Truck 12 while the Bohemia FD was on standby at Holbrook’s headquarters. Also on scene assisting Chief Heinssen was Suffolk County Fire Coordinator 42 Jack Blaum. With the overhaul complete Chief Heinssen placed the alarm under control at 1739hrs. No injuries were reported and the Town of Islip Fire Marshal in investigating.

Click Here for Full Gallery on EAS Photos

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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VAILS GATE FD Stands By In OCEANSIDE Photos and Story by Thomas Lucchesi – Assistant Chief Vails Gate Fire Department Editor’s Note: This is a narrative sent by a member of Vails Gate FD sent to members of his department during their deployment on Long Island.

Just to bring everyone up to speed on the "2nd deployment," we have responded to about 45 runs since we got here on th Monday [November 5 ]. We were fortunate to catch two jobs, one we did not really see much work but the second was a chimney fire that turned into a basement fire. We were the second due truck and went to work, the inside team did a primary on the second floor while the outside team threw ladders from both our truck as well as the first use truck. Manning actually was the Can man on the first due truck and he got to see a lot of fire. From 2000-0800hrs they have been taking our truck out of service but have been using our manpower on their two ladders. During the day we have been staffing our truck and running every other call.

We have been running a lot of CO calls; Gebert was on one of their ladder trucks the other night and went to a call that turned into a fatal from a generator running inside a garage. They run things totally different down here, compared to us.

Parts of Oceanside were under water and you can see the very visible waterline on houses in neighborhoods. But nothing compares to what we saw yesterday when we went mutual aid to Long Beach. It was utter devastation down there. They were plowing sand off the roads like we plow snow. Once we got off the main boulevard you basically drove on sand, and not pavement. We passed remnants of burned out cars and buildings on practically every corner.

Here we are today, ten days after the storm and tens of thousands of people are still without power. Then Mother Nature was nice and dumped snow on them and make them freeze in their houses.

As previously mentioned, our accommodations are very good, I snuggle between Manning and Bedetti every night with the company of 20 or so other guys and 1 token female. We have been eating nonstop except for today because they decided to cut back on food, which was bad timing since we got an additional 15-20 guys today. We have all actually learned there district and we are proud to say that we know the general area we are going to and can find our way back to the firehouse all by ourselves.

Long Island FD Rant News – Hurricane Sandy Special Edition Part 2 – November 2012

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