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UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
Painting way into history
Focusing a little on girl power
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FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2024
Long Island needs more volunteer firefighters ... now By BRANDON CRUZ bcruz@liherald.com
Courtesy Uniondale School District
Monique Darrisaw-Akil, superintendent of the Uniondale school district, speaking on Martin Luther King Jr. Day last month about King, his work and his dream. She said she believes it is important to teach students that Black history isn’t just about struggle and overcoming, but about the great contributions that Black Americans have made to our society despite the immense challenges they have faced.
Black History Month has come to Uniondale schools By BRANDON CRUZ bcruz@liherald.com
It’s not often that Black history is appreciated, taught and celebrated as it should be in America. Even in more liberal states like New York, many people hear “Black history,” and the first thoughts they have are of struggle, pain, suffering and resilience — not about Black Americans’ significant contributions to the advancement of our society. From personal computers, security cameras, building heating systems and traffic lights to peanut butter, GPS and even the Super Soaker, Black people have contributed to advancements in everyday American life in immeasurable ways. “Our history didn’t start with slavery and doesn’t end with the civil rights movement,”
said Uniondale schools superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil. “We had a history before we brought to the Americas, and since then we have made contributions to every aspect of American life, from policy, to laws, to food, to culture, to music, to science, and scientific inventions — and that’s not something that is always highlighted or celebrated.” In Uniondale, the district is working to ensure that is not an issue for its students. All throughout February, students of all ages will be participating in events and workshops in honor of the contributions made by Black Americans — such as a “living wax museum” showcasing the lives of extraordinary Black Americans at California Avenue. Grand Avenue will focus on teaching students about the ContinUeD on pAge 4
Long Island is in dire need of volunteer firefighters. In Nassau, for example, just 6,000 men and women serve local departments — not enough to serve a county of nearly 1.5 million residents. Meanwhile, here in Uniondale — a hamlet of more than 32,000 people — there are 124 active members, according to Uniondale fire chief Jessica Ellerbe. “It’s a crisis,” said Michael Uttaro, Nassau County’s fire marshal. The county saw a large boost in volunteer firefighters just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, reaching more than 10,000 strong at its peak. But that enthusiasm has since dwindled, Uttaro said, and protecting communities depends on those willing to step up and defend it. “We had a little bit of a spike where people wanted to help their communities,” he said. “They were inspired and had feelings of patriotism. That has waned off. And it’s waned off significantly.” When it comes to recruitment, “a lot of fire departments are struggling right now,” Ellerbe said. Despite low numbers countywide, however, Uniondale’s membership is above aver-
age. “We’re efficient right now with the numbers that we have,” Ellerbe said. “But, we absolutely will always welcome more people.” As for the rest of the Island, Edward Tase Jr., president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, believes it is up to local fire departments — and ultimately the state — to help fix this issue and raise volunteer numbers. In fact, during a news conference last week at the firefighter’s museum in Uniondale, the state firefighters association revealed nearly half of New York residents are interested in volunteering at their local firehouse, according to a survey the group conducted. The organization is now calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to capitalize and properly invest in recruitment efforts — specifically in Long Island. Otherwise, the volunteerbased system that has always served the island may eventually collapse, forcing both Nassau and Suffolk counties to move toward professional firefighters, like those in neighboring New York City. And that could be expensive. The 80,000 volunteers who staff fire departments throughout the state save taxpayers $4.7 billion ContinUeD on pAge 4