“Firefighter Fred”, Smithtown Fire Department’s Fred Friedman talked about fire safety to the 150 Kindergarten students of the Accompsett Elementary School.
The April 29th field trip to the Elm Avenue headquarters of the Fire Department featured Friedman’s lecture and a tour of the trucks, engines and ambulances the department maintains.
First Assistant Chief Charles Duffy was in command. Operating at the scene was Engine 4-2-2. A line was quickly charged and the fire suppressed.
The Smithtown Fire Department and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission wants to make you aware of the following product recall which could result in serious injury.
With warmer weather comes dry vegetation that can result in brush fires that burn and spread quickly. In the last few days the Smithtown Fire Department has answered alarms for 3 brush fires.
It is important to take into consideration some landscaping and home maintenance tips to ensure safe surroundings.
With spring upon us an abundance of insects are once again visiting our properties. Insect bites and stings can be anything from mildly annoying to life threatening.
Each year the Smithtown Fire Department answers multiple ambulance requests resulting from stings, bites and allergic reactions that follow. Here are some tips to follow if an insect bites or stings.
The Smithtown Fire Department is celebrating their 100th Anniversary in 2008. The original Department flag still hangs in the main house meeting room.
The Smithtown Fire Department held their 100th Installation Ceremony on Saturday,
April 19, 2008. Over 300 firefighters and guests were on hand at Flowerfield in St.
James to witness the installation of officers and presentation of service and special
awards.
Robert Regulinski, Ex-Captain, Engine Company 5, served as the Master of Ceremonies.
The invocation was presented by Father Daniel Bitsko, Smithtown FD Chaplain.
Second Assistant Chief John Hansen installs Engineers and Assistant Engineers.
First Assistant Chief Charles Duffy installs First and Second Lieutenants.
Chief of Department Thomas Duckham installs Company Captains.
Chief of Department Thomas Duckham installs Department Officers.
On Saturday morning, April 19, 2008 a signal 13, smoke in building, was toned out at 08:33:04 to a home on the corner of Caroline Avenue and Jerome Street.
Upon arrival Chief of Department, Thomas Duckham,(4-2-30) observed flames visable from the residence. The initial alarm was reactivated to a 13-35, working fire.
First due on the scene was Engine 4-2-1. Initially two 1 ¾” lines were pulled to the front of the home with the primary line charged to start the attack.
After initial supression, firefighters entered the structure to begin search and overhaul. In addition to Chief Duckham, First Assistant Chief Duffy (4-2-31) and Third Assistant Chief Sisino (4-2-33) were in command at the scene.
Engine 4-2-1 was joined at the scene by Engines 4-2-4 and 4-2-5, Ladder 4-2-7, Rescue 4-2-9, ambulance 4-2-61.
Mutual aid to the scene was provided by Nesconset Rescue 4-4-9, and Tower Ladder 3-8-7 from Hauppauge.
Kings Park was on standby at the Smithtown main house.
The residents were initally warned of the fire by a home smoke detector, at which time they evacuated the structure.
Significant damage was sustained to the home.The cause of the fire is under investigation.
No injuries were reported.
This past December Army Staff Sergeant Greene and Staff Sergeant Calaway from the 85th Medical Detachment were introduced on the floor of the Smithtown Fire Department during the monthly Department meeting. They were in Smithtown to receive two therapy dogs, Budge and Boe, which were assigned to the 85th to assist with the work of the Detachments Combat Stress Control Team. The dogs were trained and given to the Army by the Guide Dog Foundation.
The two dogs have been doing well and receiving the accolades of all they meet. The 85th’s tour has ended. They returned to Fort Hood this past week. The 525th Medical Detachment out of Fort Bragg has taken their place in Iraq.
AP just aired a video showing Sgt. Duanne Sanders and military therapy dog Budge in Mosul. Sgt. Sanders is a member of the 525th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control Team. He received dog handling training at the Guide Dog Foundation’s VetDogs program this past February.
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/video-essay-dog-helps-troops-mental-health/3236419440
Children should not wear bike helmets when playing on equipment.
Parents should check for hot surfaces on playground equipment before allowing children to play on it.
Clothing strings, loose clothing, and stringed items placed around the neck can catch on playground equipment and strangle children.
CPSC in 1995 recalled these heavy molded plastic animal swings.
There should be no loose ropes on playground equipment. Loose ropes have caused strangulation and severe injuries.
The Department will offer more playground safety tips throughout the month.
A signal 16/23, ambulance requested, MVA, was toned out to the Smithtown Fire Department at 17:10:01 on Sunday April 13, 2008. The incident was reported on West Main Street and Route 25A.
Responding to the scene was Rescue 4-2-9, Engine 4-2-15 and ambulances 4-2-61 and 4-2-64. Upon arrival units found an accident involving two cars. One of the vehicles made contact with an exterior wall of the Oasis Bar.
Two injuries required the need for ambulance transport. One of the injured was transported to St. Catherine of Sienna and the other to the Stony Brook University Medical Center.
The Department held its monthly meeting on Monday April 14, 2008. Two major orders of business took place.
Five new members were sworn in as probationary firefighters.
L-R Jeffrey Schwarz (Badge 431, Company 6), Joseph Palazzo (Badge 429, Company 1), Anthony Bunting (Badge 427, Company 7), Ryan Fitzgerald (Badge 428, Company 2) and Bryan Rondi (Badge 430, Company 2). Administering the oath of office is Chief of the Department, Thomas Duckham.
Yearly uniform inspection also took place during the meeting attended by more than 80 firefighters and EMT’s. Members of Engine Company 4 stand for inspection.
If you encounter smoke using your primary exit, use your alternate route instead. If you must exit through smoke, clean air will be several inches off the floor. Get down on your hands and knees, and crawl to the nearest safe exit.
A signal 16/23, ambulance requested, MVA overturn, was toned out to the Smithtown Fire Department at 01:49:18 on Saturday morning April 12, 2008. The incident was reported on Landing Avenue, just north of Edgewood.
Responding to the scene was Rescue 4-2-9, Engines 4-2-4, 4-2-15 and ambulance 4-2-61. Upon arrival units found a Ford Explorer resting on its driver side with the occupant pinned. Heavy rescue efforts commenced. First responder 4-2-80 medically monitored the occupant.
At 02:10 a signal 50 DOA was relayed to dispatch.
At this time, 02:41, there has been no identification of the victim or cause of the accident. The Suffolk County Police Department is investigating.
Update 12:20:00
The driver of the fatal accident has been identified as Paul Michele of Smithtown
Suffolk County Police said Michele left the roadway north of Edgewood Avenue, struck an embankment, and flipped.
Suffolk PD said a formal investigation is still underway.
The Smithtown Fire Department wants to take a moment to thank the “Firegeezer” Bill Schumm for his kind comments about this blog.
http://firegeezer.com/2008/04/11/a-good-example-for-a-public-information-office/
Bill says his blog is “The hottest fire blog on the web”, and it certainly is. The blog is a fantastic mix of current fire news and general information and rants.
At 04:10:58 on April 10, 2008 a signal 16-23 ambulance requested/motor vehicle accident/heavy rescue was toned out to 10 East Main Street and the corner of Elm Avenue. Chief of Department Thomas Duckham (4-2-30) arrived on the scene to find a vehicle fully involved in flames on the eastbound side of Main Street.
The impact of the crash toppled a LIPA pole a few feet west of where the vehicle stopped. The pole was also on fire.
Responding to the scene were Engines 4-2-1, 4-2-4 and 4-2-5.
Chief Duckham requested a hand line be employed to extinguish the flames. The initial attack moved forward, and then was halted until LIPA arrived on the scene to shut down power.
Power was shut down and the knock down of the fire once again commenced. The fire was fully extinguished and units were up.
At this time at least one confirmed fatality has been reported.
Power has been shut down to sections of Smithtown as a result of the accident.
No cause for the crash has been determined. Suffolk County Police are investigating.
The Fire Chiefs Council of Suffolk County started in 1945 and has been serving the interests of the Fire Service of Suffolk County since its inception
The Council represents the Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and Ex-Chiefs of the 109 Volunteer Fire Departments and Companies from the 10 Townships in Suffolk County.
The Smithtown Fire Department was honored to host the monthly meeting of the Town of Smithtown Chiefs on Wednesday, April 9th. Departments in the Town are Smithtown, St James, Kings Park, Nissequogue, Hauppauge and Nesconset.
Smithtown First Assistant Chief Charles Duffy presided over the meeting attended by close to 50 Chiefs.
On Tuesday morning, April 8, 2008 a signal 23, miscellaneous, propane BBQ, was toned out at 2:48. Third Assistant Chief Sisino (4-2-33) was first on the scene at 5 Wandering Way and observed flames visible from a BBQ pavilion located in the back yard of the property. Responding Engine was 4-2-1 under the command of Captain Oetting Jr.
The initial attack involved the use of a fog pattern from a hand line to cool down four propane tanks stored in a cabinet in the pavilion. The tanks were removed and the line was then employed to attack the remaining fire in the structure. The fire was knocked down and overhaul was preformed.
Significant damage to the pavilion was sustained. Chief Sisino signaled a 5-25, units up, at 4:05.
No injuries were reported. Cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
Smithtown Fire Department alarms for the month of March, 2008 were as follows –
Fire – 46
MVA – 12
Misc. – 19
Ambulance 192
Yearly totals through March
Fire -134
MVA – 36
Misc. – 43
Ambulance – 513
Total Alarms – 726
The Town of Smithtown operates a firefighter hands on training center at Mankuski Park. The grounds are located behind the Senior Citizens Center on Route 25.
On Monday night Engine Company 3 held a ladder drill at the site. In addition to this drill, Companies 1 and 4 held a vehicle heavy rescue drill at Company 4 headquarters.
