It has come to the attention of the Smithtown Fire Department that a fundraising firm is telephoning Smithtown residents to solicit funds for an organization named “Firefighters Support Foundation”. The organization is claiming that they are calling on behalf of the Smithtown Fire Department. These calls are not authorized by the Department, nor does the Department endorse or support the work of the Firefighters Support Foundation.
Jeff Bressler, Public Information Officer for the Smithtown Fire Department wants to let residents know that “the Department holds an annual direct mail campaign requesting support from those residents who wish to assist us. It is certainly optional and we never follow-up the mail request with phone calls or door to door visits. We are upset that an organization we do not endorse or recognize has taken it up upon themselves to use our name. We are actively involved in finding the mechanism to have these solicitations cease.”
If community residents receive these calls, it would be appreciated if they can be relayed to the Department at 631-265-1503.
Firefighters know the importance of home fire safety. That’s why the men and women of the Smithtown Fire Department encourage participation in the annual home fire safety program called:
Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery!
Sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer brand batteries, the program urges you to adopt a simple lifesaving habit: Change all of your Smoke Alarm batteries when you change your clocks ahead on March 8th.
Protecting your home is simple: Change, Check, Count and Clean!™
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Former Chief of Department and member of the Board of Fire Commissioners Richard Keller was honored on November 16th by the Fire Chief’s Council of Suffolk County as the “Chief of the Year”.
On hand to share the evening with Dick were members of the Chief’s staff, Engine Company 5, and Board of Fire Commissioners.
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The Smithtown Fire Department has a weeklong opportunity to drill in a house on Summerset. The cape is scheduled for demolition in a few weeks. The property owner is building a new home and has graciously allowed the Department to use the house for training.
On Sunday, November 16th a morning drill was held on the property. Under the command of Second Assistant Chief John Hansen, firefighters did evolutions on search and rescue, ladder operations, purging walls for escape and overhaul.
Additional drills will concentrate on Rapid Intervention and roof ventilation.
Photos by Ex-Chief Crafts and PIO Bressler.
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The Smithtown Fire Department toned out a signal 13 (structural fire) on Saturday, November 1st at 2:28 am at 30 Helen Avenue. Upon arrival fire was seen at the rear of the one family residence. Chief of Department Thomas Duckman dispatched a signal 13/35 (working fire) calling for all available Smithtown FD manpower and apparatus.
Smithtown began attacking the stubborn fire and called for mutual aid from Nesconset, Hauppauge and Kings Park.
The origin of the fire is still under investigation by the Smithtown Fire Marshals.
More Photo’s in the Photo Bucket
http://photobucket.com/SmithtownFD
A signal 23 miscellaneous water rescue was toned out to the Smithtown Fire Department at 17:12:48 (5:12:48pm). It was reported by a fisherman that two occupants of a canoe were trapped in the Nissequogue River during low tide 150 yards across from the Smithtown Landing Country Club.
Upon arrival, Smithtown Chief of Department Thomas Duckham made verbal contact with the canoers. They appeared to have been trapped on the river for several hours.
Chief Duckham requested Smithtown Hook and Ladder 4-2-7, Rescue 4-2-9 and three ambulances to respond to the scene. He also requested mutual aid from Kings Park and Nesconset to respond with water rescue rafts.
Firefighters from Kings Park and Nesconset attempted a raft rescue but were stymied by heavy mud created by the low tide. One Nesconset firefighter was able to advance to the victims.
Chief Duckham then contacted Suffolk County Police Department Aviation to dispatch a helicopter to survey the situation. PD dropped blankets to the victims and provided aerial light and observation at the scene.
Chief Duckham requested Smithtown dispatch contact Suffolk County Fire and Emergency Services to locate a hovercraft in County capable of navigating the river at low tide. The West Islip Fire Department then dispatched their rescue hovercraft.
Launched at the Kings Park boat launch, the hovercraft navigated the river utilizing a light path from Suffolk PD’s helicopter.
Once on the scene West Islip facilitated the rescue bringing one victim to shore at a time. The two canoers were transported to St. Catherine of Sienna Medical Center, while the firefighter from Nesconset received medical attention at the Stony Brook University Medical Center. No current information on their condition.
The operation was concluded at 8:30pm.
Families from across Smithtown visited Fire Headquarters to learn about fire
safety and prevention at the Departments annual Fire Prevention Day held on
Sunday, October 19th.
Visitors learned about -
Fire Behavior
Motor Vehicle Accidents and Rescue
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Sunday’s Probationary School concentrated on hose handling. Firefighters were taught the techniques for using the two types of hose the Department pulls to fight fires. Probationary firefighters drilled with both 1 ¾” and 2 ½” (also called a deuce and a half) hose lines.
Last Sunday’s Probationary School class drilled in the skills needed for forced entry. The training involved the use of forced entry power and hand tools. The different types of doors and locks that would be encountered when emergency building entry is required were reviewed.
The class also did a hands-on drill learning and practicing forced entry skills.
More photo’s at http://photobucket.com/SmithtownFD
At 17:31 (5:31pm) on Monday, June 16, 2008 a signal 23, Miscellaneous, gas leak was toned out to the Smithtown Fire Department. Arriving at the scene were Chief of Department Duckham (4-2-30), 1st Assistant Chief Duffy (4-2-31) 2nd Assistant Chief Hanson (4-2-32) and 3rd Assistant Chief Sisino (4-2-33) along with Engines 4-2-1, 4-2-4, 4-2-5, Rescue 4-2-9 and Ambulance 4-2-64.
Upon arrival Chiefs witnessed a 100lb propane tank leaking after its valve was dislodged located on the side of a home on Tanglewood Drive and Estate Road.
Two 1 ¼” lines were stretched from Engine 4-2-4 and a fog pattern stream was employed on the leaking tank. Residents in the primary home as well as homes around the four exposures of the house were temporarily evacuated.
The valve to the tank was re-secured, gas readings were negative and all units were up at 18:30 (6:30pm)
When heavy rains and winds strike like the storm we had last week, an unfortunate outcome in many instances is downed power lines and wires. These can be some of the most dangerous calls the Smithtown Fire Department responds to.
Please follow these rules if you are outside and encounter downed wires -
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Smithtown Fire Department Engine 4-2-1 was dispatched on a mutual aid call last week to Kings Park. The Kings Park Fire Department called for assistance to battle a mulch fire on Old Northport Road and Towline Road.
4-2-1 took photos from the camera on their rig. In addition to the mulch fire additional 4-2-1 photo’s can be found in our Photo Bucket at http://photobucket.com/SmithtownFD
The Smithtown Fire Department alerts the community to the recall of Master Craft Pressure Washers.
Smithtown Fire Department alarms for the month of April, 2008 were as follows –
Fire – 51
MVA – 18
Misc. – 20
Ambulance 173
Yearly totals through April
Fire -185
MVA – 36
Misc. – 63
Ambulance – 686
Total Alarms – 970
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
