Oceanside first on the scene 08 10 2017

August 10, 2017

Oceanside/Island Park

on the scene Honoring our local heroes

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A word of thanks to our volunteer firefighters There is a part of many of us, I believe, that wants, on one level or another, to be a volunteer firefighter.

Most people are good people. Most people want to protect their communities. Most people understand that one of the greatest threats to any community is fire. If a blaze were allowed to rage unconcott trolled, it could consume whole blocks or neighborhoods, as was the case in the 19th century, before the advent of highly organized fire companies.

Most of us want to help. We, however, haven’t the ability to fight fires. Volunteer firefighting requires an inordinate amount of time and a level of commitment that is so rare these days.

To say that our volunteer firefighters are heroes is an understatement. They give selflessly to a higher cause — protecting their neighbors’ homes, businesses and lives. You can only imagine your community without your department, or with a paid fire department, the taxes would be astronomical.

So we can only say thank you to the good men and women who fight our fires and come to the aid of people in all manner of catastrophes, from heroin overdoses to car

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wrecks and hurricanes.

Several months in the making, the First on the Scene section is a project that is intended to express our sincere gratitude to Nassau County’s volunteer fire departments. Too often, our fire volunteers go unnoticed within our communities. With this section, we hope to change that. rinton It is, perhaps, little surprise that the ranks of volunteer firefighters have diminished over the past two decades. Many folks are working two and three jobs to make ends meet.

They haven’t the time to volunteer.

Nearly 20 years ago, I photographed a front-page investigative story for the Long Island section of The New York Times that looked at the dire need for more fire volunteers. I visited with firefighters from across the Island. The story was always one and the same: Firefighting ranks were becoming stretched thinner and thinner.

In speaking with a number of fire chiefs and firefighters for this Herald section, the story remains the same now: Our local fire departments desperately need recruits.

Often, people wonder why anyone would take on a responsibility as monumental as volunteer firefighting. I asked that question

of Louis Lanzilotta in 1997 for a Herald story about the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department. At the time, he was chief of the department, one of the oldest fire companies on the South Shore.

He said the answer was simple: old-fashioned good will. “You see how devastating it is when someone’s house in on fire,” he told me. “It’s a special feeling to know you helped that person.”

Indeed.

Beyond that, it’s important to note that fire companies offer a home to so many.

They are places of camaraderie, of brother and sisterhood, of community. For those

who are firefighters, they often say they could not imagine not volunteering.

So, to all of the brave firefighters across Nassau County, all of us at the Herald offer our sincere gratitude for all that you do for our communities! n If you are interested in volunteering for your local Fire Department, call its non-emergency number, easily found on its website.

Scott Brinton Executive Editor, Herald Community Newspapers

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First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

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Firefighter Code of Ethics OCEANSIDE cont’d

I understand that I have the responsibility to conduct myself in a manner that reflects proper ethical behavior and integrity. In so doing, I will help foster a continuing positive public perception of the fire service. Therefore, I pledge the following… conduct myself, on and off duty, in a manner that reflects positively on myself, • Always my department and the fire service in general. responsibility for my actions and for the consequences of my actions.

• Accept Support the concept of fairness and the value of diverse thoughts and opinions.

• Avoid situations that would adversely affect the credibility or public perception of the • fire service profession. and honest at all times and report instances of cheating or other dishonest • Beactstruthful that compromise the integrity of the fire service. my personal affairs in a manner that does not improperly influence the perfor• Conduct mance of my duties, or bring discredit to my organization. respectful and conscious of each member’s safety and welfare.

•• BeRecognize that I serve in a position of public trust that requires stewardship in the honest and efficient use of publicly owned resources, including uniforms, facilities, vehicles

• • • • • • •

and equipment and that these are protected from misuse and theft.

Exercise professionalism, competence, respect and loyalty in the performance of my duties and use information, confidential or otherwise, gained by virtue of my position, only to benefit those I am entrusted to serve.

Avoid financial investments, outside employment, outside business interests or activities that conflict with or are enhanced by my official position or have the potential to create the perception of impropriety.

Never propose or accept personal rewards, special privileges, benefits, advancement, honors or gifts that may create a conflict of interest, or the appearance thereof.

Never engage in activities involving alcohol or other substance use or abuse that can impair my mental state or the performance of my duties and compromise safety.

Never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual preference, medical condition or handicap.

Never harass, intimidate or threaten fellow members of the service or the public and stop or report the actions of other firefighters who engage in such behaviors.

Responsibly use social networking, electronic communications, or other media technology opportunities in a manner that does not discredit, dishonor or embarrass my organization, the fire service and the public. I also understand that failure to resolve or report inappropriate use of this media equates to condoning this behavior. n Developed by the National Society of Executive Fire Officers

OCEANSIDE Angelo Accomando Paul Agruso Christopher J. Ambruso Nicholas A. Anderson Kris H. Andoos Anthony Artino Charles R. Artino Terence P. Artus Oscar Avila Alan Azanedo John Bacon John Bacon Stanley Bain John Barth Richard L. Bedell Robert Bedell Stephen Bendel David P. Bettes

Christoper M. Costigan Matthew J. Bettes Nicole Bettes Robert Bettes Thomas M. Bettes Robert Bickard Daniel J. Brandi Sean C. Brennan Steven Bresin Yahav I. Brintouch Daniel J. Brooks Jonathan D. Brooks Andrew J. Butler Michael A. Calderazzo James Calderone Vincent J. Calderone Kevin Canham Joseph J. Caroccia

Anthony Cascio Thomas Cesiro Peter Chiovitt Jacqueline Cascio Brendan Combs Kevin T. Costigan Sean R. Costigan Timothy Costigan Frank A. Criscuolo Shelby A. Croce Brendan P. Cross Christoper D’alessio Brian D’ambrosio Anthony Dasaro Joseph A. Dasaro Charles Daskalakis Robert Davis Robert F. Dawson

Robert G. Dawson Ryan T. Dawson Craig P. Debaun Nicholas Demarco James J. Depresco Francis R. Derasmo Anthony Difede Pasquale Diminico David B. Duignan Henry D. Emilio Paul Facella Brian Ferrucci Gary Fish James W. Flannery Conor M. Flynn Steven H. Flynn Bryan Fortin Charles Fortin

Harry G. Frank Theodore Freudenberg Theodore Freudenberg James Garvey Robert Gaudio Gary Gelfman Edward J. Buck Dominick A. Giannetti Debra Giebfried Michael Graham Kevin Grasing Jonathan Green Harley Greenbaum Daniel Greengart Mark B. Greenspan Michael Gress Paul Grim Todd M. Grim Thomas Hennett William M. Hennett Ronnie Hoffman Blake C. Igoe Brett C. Igoe Jonathan Irom Thomas Ivarson Robert D. Jacoby Alphonse Janvier James Jesionkowski Neil Kaplan Robert Kaplun Chris K. Karalis Matthew P. Kessinger Andrey Kirichenko

Ryan T. Kirkwood Kevin M. Klein Steven Klein Steven Kramer Daniel Kurot Leroy I. Kurot Ralph G. Laguardia William M. Leahy Steven R. Levy Dawn Lipner Kristina Lo Sardo Dennis Lockwood Patrick Logan John J. Lund Sean B. Lynch William F. Lynch John T. Madden Patrick Madden Christopher Marciano Michael Marciano Nicholas Marino Matthew E. Martin Patrick R. Massimillo Louis Masturzo Matthew Mayo Anthony J. Mccarty Thomas Mcdermott Dennis E. Mcglynn James D. Mckay Reed T. Menz Joseph P. Miano Matthew D. Molina Edward V. Morgan

Robert G. Moyer Gary R. Mulcahy Timothy Mulcahy Anthony J. Murello Joseph A. Murello Paul Napoli Abigail M. Ohlsen James W. Ott Robert Pace Robert J. Pappas Austin Parisi Robert Pav Thomas J. Pellegrino Joseph G. Pereira Nicole M. Pereira Gennaro. Piarulli Michael J. Pignotti James R. Quinn Matthew C. Regan Sean T. Regan Thoms Regan Howard Robertson Fred Robinson Biago V. Rosano Manfred E. Roth Daniel S. Rubin Daniel S. Sabatino Madeline Sandoval Edward Scharfberg Morgan Schmid Tyler A. Schmidt Jenna Scholl Steven D. Schorr

Alexa Schuberg Andrew Schuster Bruce J. Schwartz Zachary I. Schwartz Arthur P. Seaman Michael Selover David Simon William H. Sitzman Michael F. Sloan Joseph Smith Zachary Solomon Mark R. Sparberg Kaitlyn Spinelli Vincent F. Staffa Joseph Starna Maria D. Starna James Stiner Eric Stone Peter J. Strahl Jeremy Stumer James Sutton Robert Sutton Robert Sutton John Traverso Douglas A. Tyers Nicholas Vaiano Robert J. Valentine Christopher J. Brian Wallach Randee Watson Joseph R. Weterell Brian Williamson Andrew M. Wright Sean Wynne

ISlAND pArK Chief of Department James Miotto 1st Assistant Chief Michael Whalen 2nd Assistant Chief Frank Eye 3rd Assistant Chief John Briguglio FOrmEr ChIEFS Joseph Annarella Joseph Bettineschi Frank Bettineschi Allen Bonifatto Charles Breslin Richard Colon Robert Dexter, Jr Anthony D’esposito Michael Gagliardi William Herbert Samuel Lettini Nicholas Lettini Edward Madden Edward Mcgann Francis Mcgann Anthony Neglia Francis Nicholas Ronald Nurnberger, Sr Raymond Reichel James Ruzicka, Jr James Ruzicka, Sr Steven Ruscio James Sarro Frank Sorrentino Robert Tice

James Varrichio Robert Wells Nestor Zapelli Honorary Chief Alfred Boulton Honorary Chief John Segreto Honorary Chief James White FOrmEr CAptAINS Peter Adams Peter Begley John Bettineschi Donny Cardineau Jason Cruz Robert Dexter, Sr Christopher Downs Joseph Forzano Garrett Gorton Lawrence Hayes Michael Marsden Margarita Rodriguez Charles Vandermosten Russell Waters Larry Schlossberg DEpArtmENt mEmbErShIp Captain Anthony Ciccimarro Lieutenant Eric Gorton Lieutenant Mahendra Hardwar

Lieutenant Ronald Nurnberger, Jr Lieutenant Kathryn Silliman E.m.t. ‘s Alan Greenfield Angelica Leonardo Constantinos Mavrommatis Jay Jesus Vega Mary-Anna Baldino Susan Peterson FIrEFIghtEr C.J. Vandermosten Alicia Garthaffner Augustine Ruscio Bennett Ragusa Brian Mannix Carlos Zapelli Carlos Zapelli Jr Christopher Jordan Dennis Silvio Dominick Sinnona Edward Schaefer Frank Tammaro Freddie Gibau James Torborg Jerome Leo John Garthaffner Jose Villalobos Joseph Garone, Sr Keith Roe Kurt Reichel Luis Quilca

Marc Pennetti Matt Graci Matt Zwecker Matthew Fichtelberg Michael Fischer Michael Spina Philip Treglia Ricky Holodar Robert Reichel Roy Gunther Salvatore Haughie Stephen Nurnberger Steven Patitucci Tayron Hardwar Thomas Gaynor Thomas Marsden Thomas Ruzicka Tyler Ostrander William Whaley FIrEFIghtEr-Emt’S Jenna Thilman Kayla Bettineschi Nicholas Rodriguez Ryan Michelman prObAtIONAry FIrEFIghtEr Andrew Treglia Brandon Flaum Christopher Jonathan Zwecker Kevin Diaz Michael Denis

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First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

Oceanside F.D., five companies protecting the community

By Daniel LaRose was up and running again to respond to emergen In snow, rain, hail or sunshine, these men, all voluncies within three weeks, thanks to support from fire teers with Oceanside’s Fire District, used to don protective gear and rush to fires and car crashes in shiny departments from upstate New York that came to Long Island to help with relief efforts, but the house fire engines. Now older, and no longer charging into fires, the veterans of the Oceanside Fire District recent- remains only a shadow of its former self. ly sat down with the Herald to look back on their years “We are basically living out of a trailer,” veteran John Bacon Jr. said. The reconstruction efforts have on the job and on the district’s rich history.

The Oceanside Fire District comprises five all-volun- been stalled because of issues with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and NY Rising, but teer companies, a volunteer emergency medical services squad, and a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week paid members have been working four to five days a week to reconstruct the house that was all but EMS team. The Salamander Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1 started the district back in 1902. Hook, destroyed after Sandy.

South Side intends to make the ladder and bucket refers to the firehouse greener by installing solar equipment that was packed onto n 1913, Columbia their trucks to fight fires. Yes, buckpanels, “so the guys in the future can purchased the first afford the building,” as Bresin said. ets filled with water were the main Salamander has shared a home tools used to fight fires back then, motorized fire apparatus according to Bill Lynch, one of the with the district’s headquarters since on Long Island, the Oceanside Fire District’s historians.

1966. Dispatchers, EMS crews, comMatthewson Hose Wagon, missioners and the department’s Salamander was joined a few chief are stationed there. Each house months later in 1902 by Lynch’s for $650. has around 35 members, and is situown firehouse, Columbia Engine ated roughly equidistant from all others from across Company No. 1. Columbia brought a hand- or horseOceanside for effectiveness and efficiency. Each comdrawn engine that pumped water to a hose to help Salamander fight fires with better efficiency. pany has its own new engines and all the equipment In 1913, Columbia purchased the first motorized necessary to fight a blaze on its own. fire apparatus on Long Island, the Matthewson Hose Much more has changed in the department from Wagon, for $650. when the veteran firefighters first started a few Hose Company No. 1 was founded in 1906, foldecades ago. The foremost change has been technolowed by South Side Hose Company No. 2 and Terrace logical. Lynch said the department now works Hose and Chemical Company No. 3, in 1927 and 1928, “smarter and safer.” Robert Bettes, a historian at Terrace, noted that “training has quadrupled” to comrespectively. Each company brought its own “piece of ply with numerous federal, state, county, and the puzzle,” as Lynch called it, to every scene.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration manSalamander brought ladders, Columbia hauled the water tank, and the hose companies carried the hoses. dates. Bettes said his training had been mostly in house, adding that the volunteers back then “basical There was a sixth house, founded before Terrace, ly trained themselves.” which was shut down by the district. The house, Trucks were open cabs until the 1980s, when called Oaks, operated from 1927 to 1935, but was closed down because of “unruly behavior,” according closed cabs were popularized. Terrace rebelled and brought back its open-cab truck until mandated to to Lynch. have closed cabs a few years later. “We’ve had people South Side Hose Company No. 2 and Hose fall off” the back of the truck, Bettes recalled.

Company No. 1 are the only two houses in the district whose members own the firehouse. Steve Bresin, Equipment was lighter when Lynch and Bettes joined as 18 year olds, as most of Oceanside’s volunwho has been with South Side since 1968, said that having a house owned by the members makes them teers do. Their old gear consisted of boots, a jacket that “barely fit” and a helmet, which were considermore independent, but they still must follow fire disably less heavy compared to today’s outfit consisting trict rules. of fire retardant boots, pants and jacket fit to size, in South Side’s house has been under construction for several years after Superstorm Sandy flooded the addition to hoods, helmets, masks and gloves. Bettes building with roughly 40 inches of water. The station said that the volunteers were not fazed by the seem-

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ing lack of protection when he started.

“They were men,” he said, “husky men.” He and Lynch mentioned that the young guys now call them old when they tell them how they used to ride on the back of the trucks and put on their gear as they sped to the scene.

Lynch added that firefighters back when he started “wanted to look salty”; that is, they wanted to appear dirty, and they wanted their gear to be roughed up. Those were signs that they were firefighters.

“If someone washed your helmet, you got upset,” Lynch said, adding, “You got teased for wearing a mask.”

Now, if you’re not wearing breathing gear, you can’t fight a fire. And gear is thoroughly cleaned after each call, because the state and district have wised up in response to the greater number of firefighters across the nation contracting cancerous diseases, partly because of toxic ash on equipment. Despite the additional gear and greater precautions, illnesses have increased because of hazardous building materials that go up in smoke when burned. Too many firefighters are exposed to toxic chemicals when battling blazes, according to officials.

“Everything is poison,” Lynch said.

One aspect that has remained constant in Oceanside is the character of the personnel. Lynch said firefighting has long been “pretty aggressive in Oceanside.”

Joe Caroccia, chief of Hose Company No. 1, agreed with Lynch. He joined at 18 in 1981, and said that his time with the department has allowed him to meet “a lot of good people and friends.” One was the late Kenny Marino, who was recently honored in Monroe, N.Y., for his sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001. Caroccia said he was a lifelong friend of Marino’s, and the two joined the ranks together.

Caroccia said the department is like family, just like when he joined 36 years ago.

“It’s the best part of being chief,” he said. “It’s the tightest club you’ll ever join.”

The Oceanside Fire District is scheduled to publish its history in September. n

The Oceanside Fire Department marched recently in the Fourth Battalion Parade. Photo by Bill Kelly/Herald

Oceanside Fire Department

August 10, 2017 — First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers

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First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

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OCEANSIDE Photos

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1- Oceanside’s Salamander Hook and Ladder Company in the department’s early days.

2- Firefighters outside Columbia Engine Company No. 1 in 1913.

3- Oceanside Hose Company No. 1.

4- Rescue Company No. 1.

5- One of Oceanside’s shiny yellow fire engines, 1981.

6- The Oceanside Fire Department in 1958.

7- Oceanside Hose Company No. 2.

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First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

From ragtag to reputable

The evolution of the Island Park Fire Department

By Zach Gottehrer-Cohen

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y the early 1930s, the department was far better equipped. Hydrants were installed every 500 feet, and their seven trucks and ample membership made Island Park “more than adequately protected.” The only remaining problem was their emergency alert system.

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the corner of Long Beach Road and Warwick Road, which frustrated the department’s early volunteers, who, on a number of occasions were awoken in the middle of the night to respond to a fire, only to find themselves helpless to fight it.

By the early 1930s, the department was far better equipped.

Hydrants were installed every 500 feet, and their seven trucks and ample membership made Island Park “more than adequately protected.”

The only remaining problem was their emergency alert system.

After a number of iterations, from hand-cranked sirens to bells placed in towers, the department found that strong winds prevented the alerts from being heard throughout Island Park, but by the 1940s, the village was outfitted with “one of the most efficient alarm systems.”

Many of the department’s firefighters were called into the armed services in the ’40s, but by raising the age limit for volunteers from 45 to 55, the membership was kept relatively close to its former levels. Assistance from the federal government, in the form of “war measures,” helped fill in the gaps. The creation of an auxiliary fire department, fully funded and modernized, came courtesy of the U.S. government.

Since then, the department has been kept up to date and well equipped, responding to traumatic events, including an airplane crash in December 1949, and a November 1950

storm that devastated the village of Island Park. They have also worked with the Coast Guard on hydrographic surveys of Hempstead Bay. Mostly recently, it provided relief to local residents devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

At 73 years old, the Island Park’s Fire Department’s transformation from a ragtag assembly of equipment and vol-

unteers into a highly responsive, fully equipped emergency response asset is worthy of note. As the department moves into the future, it’s important to remember its humble beginnings. n The Island Park Fire Department celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1974. Photo courtesy Island Park Library.

South Nassau’s Emergency Response Team Provides Innovative Emergency Services While in the ambulance en route to South Nassau, Leroy was evaluated for an emergency procedure to stanch the bleeding. Thanks to the courageous efforts by prehospital providers and South Nassau’s Trauma Center Team, Leroy is alive and well today.

Time is critical in traumatic injuries. Once the emergency department is alerted of an impending The trauma team carefully moves an injured patient for arrival, South Nassau evaluation during a trauma drill exercise. mobilizes its Trauma Center t approximately 5:30 p.m. on Team, which consists of Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, Mr. Leslie specialists in emergency medicine, Leroy was involved in an auto collitrauma surgery, orthopedics, sion near exit 17, heading eastbound neurosurgery, plastic surgery and on the Southern State Parkway. anesthesiology, as well as emergency Leroy had gotten out of his car to certified nurses, social workers, and survey the situation and while standrehabilitation therapists. ing behind his car, he was struck by Treatment from seasoned emergenanother car, pinning him between the cy medicine technicians, and streamtwo vehicles. Nassau County Police lined communication and collaboraand EMS were dispatched to the tion between the responders at the scene within minutes. scene and caretakers in the ED, are While the police secured the area essential to achieving the best posof the accident, county police medics sible outcomes for the patients. From assessed his injuries and fastened field triage to rehabilitation, the goal a tourniquet above the knee of his is to make the patient’s journey to left leg to slow blood loss. Leroy was recovery as seamless as possible. rushed to South Nassau CommuniFor more information about ties Hospital’s Trauma Center, a South Nassau’s Trauma Center, Level II Trauma Center verified by go to southnassau.org or call the American College of Surgeons.

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“Twelve fire extinguishers. Three hand-cranked emergency sirens. One two wheeled, 40-gallon chemical tank.”

In 1924, this was the inventory of the newly formed Island Park Fire Department.

According to a 15-page “Brief History of the Island Park Fire Department,” written in 1975 by a member of the department, and available at the Island Park Public Library, the department’s early days were plagued by equipment failures that could be expected from such a scrappy, “do-it-yourself” operation. The first time the chemical tank was used, the volunteer whose car it was hooked to, “in his anxiety to get to the fire, speeded his truck to an excessive speed” and collapsed both of the tank’s wheels.

Soon after, a taxicab was donated to the department, which was converted by then Fire Chief Nitlow into an emergency truck, with the chemical tank secured behind the driver’s seat. The first time the truck was called to action, it was discovered that someone had illegally siphoned the gas out of the tank.

At the time, Island Park was not the thriving suburb it is today, but it was getting there. “The population was increasing and the fire hazards were growing,” according to the history.

Electricity was only available between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m., and many homes were still burning kerosene lamps. There was only one low-pressure fire hydrant at

Island Park Fire Department

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Thank You To Our Firefighters, EMTs, Police and First Responders That Give Their All Day After Day

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Thank you to the first responders who continue to put their lives on the line to protect us.

The bravery of Officers, Firefighters, Dispatchers, EMTs and all who deal with the events as they happen to ensure safety does not go unnoticed.

Thank you to each and every person who goes to work with the goal to save a life.

Legislator Denise Ford and Family

First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

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Danger in all directions for fire volunteers

August 10, 2017 — First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers

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By Scott Brinton

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Volunteer firefighters climb ladders that stretch two and three stories into the air, high-pressure hoses at the ready to spray down raging fires that burn hotter than a thousand degrees. Black smoke billows in all directions. At any moment, the home or building might explode or collapse.

Meanwhile, others rush inside in search of victims who might be trapped. It’s an inferno, with flames raging in all directions. Sight is limited. The structure groans. Weakened wooden floors might give in. Walls and ceilings might come crashing down.

Yes, volunteer firefighting is very, very dangerous, and the financial reward is, well, non-existent, except for a small pension later in life. Long Island’s firefighters are largely volunteers. They give of their time and of themselves, they say, out of an old-fashioned sense of community and a desire to aid those in need.

Long-time Herald photographer Bill Kelly has spent years capturing volunteer firefighters at work as they extinguish blazes of all sorts. Herein are a handful of his hundreds of images of Oceanside fire volunteers.

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1- Oceanside fire volunteers stretch hose lines to battle a garage fire.

2- Volunteers take a well-deserved break after a blaze.

3- An Oceanside house gutted by fire.

4- Oceanside firefighters in the charred remains of a home.

5- After a blaze, volunteers must pick through a building with special axes and picks to make sure no pockets of fire remain.

Photos by Bill Kelly/Herald

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First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

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Test your smoke alarms at least once a month and press the button to be sure that the alarm is working.

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$200 off at signing WITH ML AUTO LEASE WITH THIS COUPON FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS OF FIREFIGHTERS & EMS

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"Saluting All of Our Great Volunteers"

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Install CO detectors near bedrooms and sources of carbon monoxide, such as furnaces, hot-water heaters and stoves.

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for placement and mounting height.

Call your local fire department’s non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds.

Test CO alarms at least once a month.

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Smoke detectors are considered the most effective fire-warning device, and should be placed on every level of a home. When properly installed, smoke alarms reduce fire-related deaths and injuries. Because smoke rapidly spreads during a house fire, the alarms provide a warning, giving occupants more time to escape from the home.

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2822 Brower Ave. Oceanside, NY 11572 516-536-5460

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Editor’s note: The following safety tips were provided by the Town of Hempstead as a public-service announcement.

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516-678-6040 • www.IslandaB.com

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First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

WHILE NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA MAY BE BUSY SAVING THE LIVES OF HOMELESS PETS – WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL TO ALL WHO ARE FIRST ON THE SCENE EACH DAY – KEEPING US ALL SAFE!

THANK YOU

TO ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS AND EMTS FOR VOLUNTEERING YOU ARE TRUE HEROES TO ALL!

North Shore Animal League America has HUNDREDS of puppies, kittens, dogs and cats to choose from! Mixed-breeds, purebreds, small breeds too!

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The hardest choice is picking just one.

The easiest choice is picking a RESCUE pet!

OPEN DAILY FOR ADOPTIONS: 12 NOON - 8 PM 25 Davis Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050 • animalleague.org • 516.883.7575 RESCUE • NURTURE • ADOPT • EDUCATE

FOLLOW US ON:

bright ideas in firefighting technology

Faster, smarter technology means better fire safety.

Technological advances build on the basics to improve firefighting efficiency.

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Unique SPECTRA lampheads have an advanced lens design that generates a uniform flood and spot combination light pattern. This gives firefighters enhanced work area visibility, as well as illuminating the scene and objects farther away.

An economical lamphead that packs a punch is FRC’s EVOLUTION II series which delivers more light with both12 or 24 Volt DC systems. Rated for up to 50,000 hours, with instant on at full intensity, the new generation LED array produces a more uniform and crisper light beam.

EVOLUTION II lampheads are available with all FRC mounting configurations.

get the Whole Picture Here’s something new that lets you see in front of your apparatus, see behind you, and also on both sides of a vehicle - at the same time. It’s called inView®. Safely back up into narrow parking bays, maneuver into compact parking spaces and easily navigate tight roads. No more blind spots.

A unique, customizable package that offers increased safety, provides protection from potential liabilities and offers advanced vehicle tracking capabilities.

Exclusively from your friends at FRC. InView® provides the driver unmatched video options, from a single camera systems to a 360° bird’s-eye view. You can even record in real time and automatically download data via wifi or live cellular viewing.

Advanced packages such as inView® Guardian and inView® TruSight are available that provide complete real-time video and data recording capabilities while also offering vehicle tracking via GPS and event marking. Video downloads can be viewed via software.

Monitors can be set for either full screen or Quad View, which allows for viewing up to four cameras at once. Wireless systems are available for remote viewing.

Advertorial content is supplied by the advertiser.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

You are the true heroes of our community.

Town of Hempstead Office of Town Clerk

NASRIN G. AHMAD 1 Washington St. Hempstead, NY 11550 Tel: (516) 489-5000 ext. 3046

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led lighting he world of scene lighting has gone LED. Firefighters can now roll up on the scene with nearly 30,000 lumens of super bright white light. Unlike the older traditional halogen lampheads, the new LEDs are much brighter, whiter, and use much less power to drive them.

The SPECTRA series, produced by FRC, lets you choose the lamphead that’s right for each vehicle. Available to be mounted on telescopic poles, fixed and side mounted, on tripods, recessed or surface mounted, brow mounted (on the front cab), and even under your aerial.

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August 10, 2017 — First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers

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First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers — August 10, 2017

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Island Park Photos

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Sponsored by

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1- An Island Park crew training, undated photo.

2-Island Park firefighters have earned numerous honors for their service, such as these, circa mid-20th century.

3- Island Park firefighters showing off their equipment.

4- Fire officials and local leaders all dressed up.

5- In the department’s early days, Island Park firefighters drove their own cars to fire scenes.

6-Island Park firefighters all lined up.

7-Island Park’s Civil Defense Group, 1942.

All photos courtesy Island Park Fire Department

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3140 Long Beach Road • Oceanside, NY 11572 • (516) 763-0200 • myNYCB.com Bank Anywhere You See NYCB! All services not available at all locations.

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Housing the Oceanside Fire Department Once upon a time, in the early 20th century, firehouses were simple, wood-frame structures, with a handful of garage bays to store horse- or humanpowered engines with giant wheels and oversized tanks that, frankly, would run out of water fairly quickly in a big blaze.

As the 20th century progressed, so did the fire trucks, becoming motorized. As time went on, small trucks became massive engines that required everlarger garage bays.

Fast-forward to the 21st century. Today’s firehouses are very large structures — often the largest in their communities. They’ve also gone high-tech, and rarely is there a single firehouse for an entire community. There are many in Oceanside.

On this page are the firehouses scattered across Oceanside.

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1- Oceanside Hose Company No. 1.

2- South Side Hose Company No. 2.

3- Terrace Hose Company No. 3.

4- Oceanside Fire Department headquarters.

5- Columbia Engine Company No. 1.

Photos by Bill Kelly/Herald

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By Scott Brinton

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August 10, 2017 — First On The Scene — Herald Community Newspapers

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