Suburban Fire Marshal

1030 hours. While the operator was traveling through Smithtown collecting brush, the boom on a Town Highway Department vehicle became entangled in low hanging wires on Meadow Road near Poplar. Before the driver realized what had happened, the vehicle was forced to a stop by the tension of the wire. The incident resulted in damage to at least two utility poles, and the electrical service being ripped off multiple houses. The driver suffered a head injury and was treated by medical personnel from the Smithtown FIre Department. FD Personnel secured the scene and the truck, while SCPD officers shut down the road until PSEG was able to respond out to clear the truck and the roadway. Meadow Road was closed in both directions for approximately 5 hours.

At first glance this may sound like a dream come true but for a 37 year old Hauppauge man, it was his worst nightmare. An adult male was loading chocolate into a 20,000 gallon cooking tank at the Simply Natural Foods factory (74 Mall Drive) when he lost his footing and fell in. Somehow, he was able to keep his head above the chocolate which was cooking, and scream for help. Other employees called 911 and began trying to remove the victim from the vat. Commack Fire Department and Commack Ambulance arrived to find that the subject was already out of the tank and was being washed down by other employees. EMS personnel evaluated the victim and determined that he sustained a serious arm injury and burns degree burns from the chocolate. The victim was transported to the hospital via Commack Ambulance. Smithtown Fire Marshals were called to the scene and in turn contacted the County Health Department and OSHA. 

1857 hours. Commack Ambulance and Commack Fire Department respond to the vicinity of 74 Schuyler Drive in regards to a motor vehicle crash. Units arrived to find that an adult male was riding a small dune buggy on the PS&G right of way when he lost control, crashed and was thrown approximately 300 feet from the machine. EMS immobilized the subject who was then carried out of the woods in a stokes basket to an ambulance. The victim was transported to the hospital. FD personnel secured the machine and all units cleared from the scene within 30 minutes. 

0024 hours. Ronkonkoma, Farmingville, Lakeland and Nesconset Fire Departments are dispatched to a report of a house fire at 4 Knickerbocker Avenue off Village Street in the Ronkonkoma Fire District. The caller reports that flames were visible and also stated that there was someone trapped within.

Arriving units encounter a heavy fire condition in the attic of a two story wood frame private dwelling. three lines were stretched and two operated. One tower ladder was used to open the roof. Crews had the fire extinguished within 30 minutes and remained on scene mopping up and overhauling for approximately 90 minutes. The Holbrook Fire Department sent a RIT and an ambulance, Centereach FD sent an engine and Selden Fire Department sent an engine to cover. Fire Marshals from the Town of Brookhaven are investigating.  There were no injuries.

2054 hours. Smithtown Fire Department responds to a report of a traffic collision on Middle Country Road and Terry Road. Units arrive to find that a vehicle left the roadway, struck and brought down a utility pole and then came to a stop on Terry Road. Smithtown firefighters secured the vehicle and applied absorbent material to some fluids in the roadway. EMS personnel transported one patient to Stony Brook hospital with minor injuries. 

The pole and wires completely blocked Middle Country Road, forcing Suffolk Police to close the road from John Jones Lane to Route 111 and Terry Road at John Jones Lane. The westbound lanes of Middle Country Road were re-opened at approximately 6AM. One east bound lane was opened shortly thereafter. Terry Road remained closed until just before noon. 

This was the 2nd accident like this in the past month. 

1555 hours. Ronkonkoma FD responds to a report of a traffic collision on Express Drive South near Hawkins Avenue. Units arrive to find a two car collision between a Jeep and a Chevy Avalanche. The Chevy also hit a light pole then came to rest on the lawn of 4949 Express Drive North. FD personnel secured the vehicle while EMS handled patient care.

0146 hours. Central Islip Hauppauge Ambulance responds to a traffic collision on the Long Island Expressway. Units arrive to find a vehicle overturned not he eastbound side of the expressway  between exits 57 and 58. EMS personnel treated and transported one subject with non life threatening injuries. The expressway was closed at exit 57 for approximately one hour while the vehicle was uprighted and removed from the roadway. 

0646 hours. NYS Park Police report seeing an overturned vessel approximately 1000 feet out from field one at Sunken Meadow State Park. The Kings Park, Nesconset, St. James, Northport and Smithtown fire departments were dispatched to the bluff along with Park Rangers from the Department of Public Safety/. Smithtown Bay Constables, SCPD and USCG started boats out to the area as well. Kings Park FD boat 4-1-19 was launched from the Bluff and was on station with the subjects shortly thereafter. Three subjects, all of whom were wearing life jackets, were removed from the water and brought back to the bluff to be evaluated by Kings Park FD EMS. There were no injuries. 

0611 hours. Setauket Fire Department responds to 347 and Nichols Road for a traffic collision. Units arrive to find one fo the vehicles on its side with one subject trapped within. The patient was removed from the vehicle and transported via Setauket FD EMS.

0928 hours. Centereach Fire Department responds to a report of a vehicle vs building at 2100 Middle Country Road. Units arrive to find that a vehicle left the roadway and took out the railing on a handicap ramp. Damage was minor and the driver suffered non life threatening injuries. 

1918 hours. Ronkonkoma Fire Department responds to a traffic collision in front of 236 Smith Avenue off Portion Road. Units arrive to find a vehicle overturned with a subject trapped within.

Kidde would like to ensure all fire extinguishers recalled in 2017 have been replaced. Please check your extinguishers and contact Kidde for a replacement if you have one of the recalled models.

2255 hours. Farmingville Fire Department is dispatched to a report of a house fire at 238 Horseback Road. Units arrive to find an active fire in  the garage attached to a single story private dwelling. Crews forced entry into the garage and the fire was placed under control within 40 minutes. Mutual aid was provided by Centereach, Holtsville, Ronkonkoma, Selden (engine to the scene) and North Patchogue to cover. 

One occupant was treated for smoke inhalation. Fire Marshals from the Town of Brookhaven are investigating.

Fun Fire Fact: 8 Of The Signers of Our Declaration of Independence Were Noted To Be Firefighters.

WATCH: Fireman Ben Franklin: https://youtu.be/HPU0_q5vckA 

WATCH “1776-Who Shall Write Our Declaration Of Independence?” : https://vimeo.com/214099218?ref=em-share … via @BullCitysChief@fireheritageusa

2352 HRS There Hauppauge Fire Department was dispatched along with Central Islip Hauppauge Ambulance to a rather unusual incident in front of 322 Hoffman Lane. A motorist while changing a tire got his fingers of his right hand caught between the wheel and brake pads.

FD personnel in conjunction with police emergency services and ems from CI-Hauppauge Ambulance operated until 0041 hrs at which time the patient was extricated. Numerous pieces of equipment were used including floor jacks, air bags, come along and multiple pieces of cribbing. 

Heavy Rescue 3-8-9, Engine 3-8-13 operated at this incident under the command of 2nd Asst Chief Brett Martinez . Photos by 3-8-40 and Michael Cohen of Engine 3

In the days following the Sunday storm that wreaked havoc on parts of the Smithtown Township (see earlier story), many residents relied on generator power. Unfortunately, many people don't know how to properly use a generator in spite of all of the warnings that come with them.

People unsafely back feed into their panel through an outlet or place the generator in a garage or up against the house. As expected, the fire departments respond to electrical fires in many of these houses as once the local utility restores power, the panels and some of the equipment is blown out.  Having a generator running against the house results in two common responses by the fire departments. The exhaust from the generators melts and ignites the plastic vinyl siding and the exhaust gases enter the structure and poison the occupants with carbon monoxide.

In the incident pictured below on Fern Drive, the occupant had the generator right up against the combustible railing and near the back of the house. Commack FD personnel responded to an automatic alarm at this location and found CO levels well over 400PPM. The occupants inside had no idea that there was a problem. FD personnel ventilated the house and the generator was shut down.

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a crash that killed a motorcyclist on the Long Island Expressway in Lake Ronkonkoma last night.
 
Eric Garrison was operating a 1998 Harley Davidson westbound on the LIE near Exit 60 when the motorcycle veered off the roadway and struck the guardrail at approximately 9:15 p.m.
 
Garrison, 46, of Ronkonkoma, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital by the Ronkonkoma Fire Department where he was pronounced dead. 

0910 hours. The Ronkonkoma Fire Department is dispatched to a report of a vehicle fire at 5th and Lake Prom. Units arrive to find a two car collision with no fire and no injuries. FD personnel secured both vehicles and turned the scene over to SCPD

1702 hours. The Kings Park Fire Department responds to the St. Johnland Road near the Boulevard for a reported traffic collision. Units arrive to find a vehicle that overturned. No extrication was necessary as all of the occupants had self extricated .Multiple patients were transported by ambulance to Stony Brook Hospital. Suffolk Police 4th precinct detectives and crime scene units handled the investigation. The road remained closed for approximately four hours.