Fire Department

Tab Hauser/Herald Gazette Kevin Barry and his son, Liam, helped christen one of the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department’s new trucks.

By Letisha Dass

The Glen Cove Fire Department has recently been connecting with the community by way of drive-bys.

Interactions for the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department have been limited because of the coronavirus pandemic. Having to keep six feet away and wearing protective gear has created a barrier to normal communication between firefighters and community members. However, the department has found creative ways to keep connected to the community, while also ensuring everyone’s safety.

“Unfortunately, with the pandemic and the state essentially putting us on a lockdown, we tried to make the best of a very bad situation,” Chief Marvin Tate said. “So, what we did along with the help of the Glen Cove Police Department and Glen Cove Emergency Medical Services is we came up with a criterion for helping the community during these extraordinary times by doing drive-bys.”

“We used the fire trucks, Glen Cove Police Department cars, and Glen Cove Emergency Medical Services vehicles to help the community with celebrations for city residents’ birthdays, graduations and special requests,” Tate said. “It was a small gesture that we could extend to the community while still answering emergency calls.”

Keeping a close eye on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and statewide regulations is the safest way to ensure that the department’s volunteers and the community are safe. It is the only way for them to serve and protect their community without fear and uncertainty.

“This is an experience that is new for all of us. What we have to do is make sure our members have the confidence in us by making sure they have what is needed to keep them safe during this pandemic while out on alarms,” Tate said.

GCFD leaders said they are willing to do everything they can to handle the pandemic and show their community that they are with them through this struggle.

Glen Cove volunteer Fire Department

Chief of Fire Department

Chief Marvin Tate Sr. 1st Assistant Chief Robert Retoske 2nd Assistant Chief Philip Grella Jr. 3rd Assistant Chief Justin Valeo

Chief’s office

10 Glen Cove Ave. Non-emergency: (516) 676-0366 Emergency: (516) 671-3437, (516) 671-3730

Companies

engine & Hose Company no. 4

Capt. Sang Bae Secretary Chris Klimazewski Treasurer Robert Petrucci Fire Commissioner: Ex-Chief Michael J. Maher

pacific engine & Hose Company no. 1

Captain Eugene McGuire Jr. 1st Lt. Robert M. Sujeski 2nd Lt. Joseph Lodice Secretary Dan Greenfield Treasurer Robert J. Sujeski Sr. Fire Commissioner: Theodore Valeo Jr.

Hook & ladder Company no. 1

Capt. Thomas Duffy 1st Lt. Carlos Cardenas 2nd Lt. Andrew Trakakis Secretary Joseph Cipriano Treasurer Andrew Graf Sr. Fire Commissioner: Robert Budzienski

Chemical engine Company no. 1

Capt. Michael Capobianco III 1st Lt. Rafael Haluch 2nd Lt. Louie Mele Secretary Roni Epstein Treasurer: Ex-Chief Anthony J. Tripp Fire Commissioner: Thomas Underhill

Fire police unit

Capt. Karl Vanallen 1st Officer Jeffrey Jackson 2nd Officer Vincent Martinez Sr. 3rd Officer Paul Lottes Secretary Allen F. LaMere

rescue squad

1st Officer Andrew Melillo 2nd Officer Rafael Haluch 3rd Officer Pete Micheleas Secretary Adam Haluch