Suburban Fire Marshal

2139 hours. The St. James and Nesconset FIre Departments responded to a report of a structure fire at 465 Moriches Road in the St. James Fire District. Arriving units encountered light smoke coming from the building. A quick search led crews to an extinguished mattress fire. FD personnel overhauled and ventilated the building. A Fire Marshal was requested from the Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety. There were no injuries.

1100 hours.  Suffolk police took a report of an overturned kayak on the Nissequogue River with two subjects in the water. Two SCPD boats, Bay Constables from the Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety, a helicopter from SCPD and the Kings Park Fire Department responded. While units were still en-route, a second call was received reporting that the subjects were on shore near 112 Riviera Drive. At that point, most units were cancelled. FD EMS personnel evaluated the subjects and SCPD took the report. 

2044 hours. The St. James Fire Department is dispatched to a report of a traffic collision across from the main house at Lake Avenue and Moriches Road. Units arrived to find a crash involving a car and two motorcycles. All of the injured were transported to the hospital by FD ambulance. None of the injuries appeared life threatening. 

Nesconset Fire Department responds to an automatic fire alarm at the Long Island Bagel Cafe (248 Smithtown Blvd). Units arrive to find smoke in the building. The alarm is re-activated as a structure fire, bringing in units from the Ronkonkoma and St. James FIre Departments. Crews quickly determined that the issue was with a rooftop HVAC unit. The unit was shutdown, the store vented and the Fire Marshal ordered the owner to have the unit repaired. There were no injuries and all units were back in service within 30 minutes.

1831 HRS - Express Drive North west of Blydenburgh Road. Car vs. pole. The driver self extricated and was RMA with the EMS crew from CI-Hauppauge Ambulance. FD units were 3-8-31,32,3-8-14,3-8-11,3-8-9. Fd personnel applied absorbent to some leaking coolant oil from a pole mounted transformer that was thrown into the center of the street. Fd also assisted SCPD and PSE&G with traffic control.

Hauppauge FIre Department extinguishes a vehicle fire on the LIE westbound at exit 57. Chiefs Walker and Martinez operated with engines 1 and 4. There were no injuries.

The Kings Park Fire Department welcomed Daisy Troop 323 to the firehouse this week. The young ladies were given a tour and learned about fire safety. 

0004 hours. The Smithtown Fire Department was called to respond to a reported house fire at 190 Brooksite Drive. Units arrived to find smoke pushing out of a small two story private dwelling. Units made entry and found a clothes dryer burning in the basement. The fire was quickly extinguished, the area was overhauled and the house was ventilated. The incident was placed under control within 30 minutes and all units secured from the scene within an hour. Chief of Department Kevin Fitzpatrick was the incident commander. Fire Marshals from the Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety are investigating. The Hauppauge Fire Department sent a RIT and the St. James Fire Department sent an engine to cover.

2138 Hours. The Ronkonkoma, Nesconset, Lakeland and Farmingville Fire Departments respond to a report of a house on fire on Patricia Lane in Lake Grove. Units arrive to find that there had been a small fire in a bedroom on the upper level of a two story house. The fire involved a battery operated bluetooth speaker, which the homeowner removed from the building. That fire was extinguished on the front lawn and the remaining fire in the bedroom was extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher. The house was ventilated and crews opened the wall in the bedroom and overhauled. The Lake Grove Fire Marshal responded to the scene and determined that the fire started in the Brookstone Big Blue Party Wireless indoor/outdoor speaker. These speakers were recalled in October of 2018 due to fires occurring within the lithium ion batteries. Thankfully the occupants of this house were home. Had they not quickly discovered and extinguished the fire, the damage would have been extensive. The Fire Marshal packaged up the unit and advised the homeowner to contact their insurance company. The Fire Marshal also filed a report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC has twelve fires involving these speakers on file.

If you or someone you know has one of these speakers, stop using them IMMEDIATELY. Remove the batteries from the bottom of the unit, and properly dispose of them. Brookstone is no longer in business so there is no way to return the speaker for a refund. Here is a link to the CPSC Website relating to this recall.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/brookstone-wireless-speakers-recalled-due-to-fire-hazard

Memorial Day is seen as the unofficial start of summer and has become synonymous with trips to the beach and backyard barbecues. Often overlooked is the real reason behind the holiday – honoring the nation’s fallen service members.

With that in mind, here are five interesting facts about Memorial Day:

1. Memorial Day began as a response to the Civil War
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day began as an effort to honor the roughly 620,000 soldiers who died during the Civil War.  There were many unofficial remembrances between 1864 and 1868, when Union General John A. Logan called for the first nationwide Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, which was marked by decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. in 1882 it became known as Memorial Day. In 1967, Federal law declared "Memorial Day" as the official name. In 1971, federal law changed the observance of the holiday to the last Monday in May and extended the honor to all soldiers who have died in American wars.

2. You know where you were born, right? There have been battles for years about the birthplace of Memorial Day. President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, to be the "Birthplace of Memorial Day" in 1966,  according to the Library of Congress. Other localities are known to have celebrated the holiday earlier, and exactly where the first celebration took place remains up for debate.

3. Let there be a speech: The president or vice president customarily steps up to the microphones at Arlington National Cemetery to make a speech honoring the fallen on Memorial Day.  Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division places American flags at all of the graves at Arlington.

 4. Zip it for a minute. It’s the law. Congress passed a law in December of 2000 requiring Americans to pause at 3 p.m.. local time on Memorial Day to remember and honor the fallen.

5. This is why you should wear a poppy on Memorial Day: Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae, who served as a surgeon for an Allied artillery unit during World War I, spotted the bright red flowers poking through battlefields in France and Flanders in 1915.  That inspired him to write the poem, “In Flanders Field.”  Later that year, Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker, Moina Michael, read the poem and wrote her own, “We Shall Keep the Faith” to urge making the poppy a tribute to those who have died in wartime.

One more important bit of information. On Memorial Day, the American flag is to be flown at half-staff until noon and then full staff from noon to sunset. 

1540 hours. The Nissequogue Fire Department responds to 546 Long Beach Road in regards to an activated fire alarm. Units arrive to find heavy smoke in an unoccupied 10,000 square foot private dwelling. Crews forced entry and encountered heavy fire on all floors of the three story building. FD personnel picked up a hydrant on Long Beach Road and dropped a supply line down the street and up the 3-400 foot long driveway. After making an initial push into the house, crews were ordered out when much of the upper floors collapsed. An exterior attack was mounted by members of multiple departments using hand lines and a deck gun. Once the fire was knocked down, crews re-entered the house to complete extinguishment. The fire was placed under control at 1805. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries. Firefighters left the scene at approximately 2130 hours but returned back to extinguish a number of hot spots at approximately 0030 hours on 5/26.

Mutual aid was provided by the following agencies:
Commack Fire Department-Engine to the scene
Hauppauge Fire Department-Engine and Ladder to the scene
Smithtown Fire Department-Engine and Heavy Rescue to the scene
St. James Fire Department-Engine and Ambulance to the scene
Centereach Fire Department-Ladder to the scene
Setauket Fire Department-Engine to cover, then moved up to the scene
Stony Brook Fire Department-Engine and Ambulance to cover, redirected to the scene

Because Long Beach Road is a narrow street and is the only way in and out of Long Beach, all apparatus not being used were parked at Long Beach. 

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Fire Marshals from the Town of Smithtown along with detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad.

Suffolk County Police arrested a woman for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle crash in Central Islip that seriously injured a 5-year-old girl.

 
Sandra Stewart was driving a 2001 Toyota Camry eastbound on Motor Parkway, turning left onto Joshua’s Path, when her vehicle crashed head-on with a 2006 Honda SUV that was travelling westbound on Motor Parkway at approximately 8:53 p.m.
 
Genesis Castro-Aguilar, a 5-year-old passenger in the backseat of the Honda, was transported via Central Islip Hauppauge ambulance to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore and then airlifted to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park for treatment of serious injuries. Stewart was also transported by CIHVAC to Southside Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Honda, Hugo Chavez, 23, of Huntington Station, and four other passengers including his wife and another child, were not injured. 
 
Fourth Squad detectives charged Stewart, 57, of 832 Narragansett Ave., East Patchogue, with Driving While Intoxicated. She is being held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 26.
 
Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.
 
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Hauppauge Fire Department also responded to this incident. 

Information above is via SCPD Press release 19-289999

At 1217 hours today, members of the Holtsville Fire Department responded to an automatic fire alarm at Pride Chemical and Solvent Company at 6 Long Island Avenue. Upon arrival of first due Engine 6, it was discovered that a small explosion involving isopropyl acetate had occurred inside of a tanker, resulting in an activation of the buildings suppression system. Units operated on scene for approximately 90 minutes with mutual aid from Holbrook, Ronkonkoma Medford, Farmingville and Medford ambulance. Fire Marshals from the Town of Brookhaven were called in to handle the investigation and to deal with the haz-mat component.  

0820 hours. Kings Park Fire Department is dispatched to a house fire with a subject trapped within. While en-route, units were advised that all occupants had safely evacuated the building. Units arrived to find an active fire in a one and one half story wood frame structure. Crews hit the hydrant and stretched. Mutual aid was requested from the Northport (ladder), East Northport (RIT), Commack (engine), Smithtown (engine) and St. James (engine and EMS) Fire Departments. The fire was quickly knocked down and the incident was placed under control within 30 minutes. There were no injuries. Fire Marshals from the Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety are investigating along with detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad.

2245 hours. The Hauppauge Fire Department responds with Central Islip Hauppauge Community Ambulance to a traffic collision on Express Driveway South at Lincoln Blvd. Units arrive to find a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a private ambulance. The driver of the car suffered injuries but the EMS personnel on the ambulance were uninjured. There was no patient in the ambulance at the time of the crash.  Hauppauge FD Chief Germaine operated with engine 13 and Rescue 9. Assistant Chief Martinez was also on scene. 

Commack Ambulance and Commack Fire Department respond to a traffic collision in front of 155 Indian Head Road. Units arrive to find a crash involving two vehicles. One of the vehicles, a Prius had left the roadway and was proximately 50 feet into a wooded area. The occupant of the Prius was extricated from the vehicle and transported via ambulance to Southside Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle denied being injured. Commack Ambulance 1st Assistant Chief Mike Hoddinott operated with their fly car, their medic car and ambulances 15, 17 and 20.

Smithtown Fire Department Photo

From the Smithtown FIre Department:

The Chiefs Office regrets to announce the passing of 50 Year Member, Ex-Captain Charles E. Duffy of Engine Co. 5. on Saturday May 18th. Charlie was a pillar of our department and will leave a huge void in our organization. Below is an article which was published in our internal newsletter in February 2018 highlighting Charlie's service to our organization. He will be missed.

Originally published February 2018:

 Charlie Duffy Sr. joined the Smithtown Fire Department on March 10, 1969 with the likes of Father Dan, Tom Delurey and Gerry Homan. Charlie was assigned to the newly formed Engine Company 5 on the West End of town, and for 49 years has been a rock for their membership as well for the Department. From 1971-1972 he served as 2nd Lieutenant, he was elected 1st Lieutenant 1973-1975, and then Captain 1975-1977. As an original member of the Grievance Committee, Charlie has served as Company 5's representative since 1982. He has also, for many years, been a dedicated member of the House Committee always ensuring events run smoothly.

Outside the firehouse, Charlie was a Navy veteran who worked as a Helmsman until he moved to Smithtown in 1967. Working for the Local 1 elevator construction union for 40 years he earned the nickname "Paint Can Charlie" because he always looked so busy. His experience with elevators served him well as to this day he handles all of the departments elevator rescue training and has also taken inventory of all elevators in the fire district to ensure the members are informed on the elevator systems throughout town. Charlie has passed his commitment to service of community and country down to his sons. Charlie Jr. served as a Marine and then upon joining the Department years later rose the ranks to serve as Chief of Department in 2009. His son Kenny is a Captain in the North Naples Fire Department, Florida and many of his grandchildren have been members of our Explorer Post. Charlie and his wife Terry are proud of their five children and seven grandchildren.

Throughout his career, Charlie has earned over ten training certificates to advance his knowledge and to better himself as a firefighter. The fruits of his training were shown on November 19, 1988 when a signal 13 was transmitted at 1321 hrs for an explosion at the Penn Furniture Store located on West Main Street. 4-2-5 was the first engine on scene, with Charlie as Chauffeur, commanded by Lt. George Maier, and with F.F. Tom Duckham and F.F John Vogel as the crew. Upon arrival the building was totally leveled, and Lt. Maier was advised of a severe gas leak from the building.

The members stretched and operated a 1-3/4" line to dissipate the escaping gas and prevent any secondary explosions. The crew’s actions prevented any further explosions and helped to create a safe scene for all the members who responded. For their actions Charlie and the crew of 4-2-5 were awarded a Unit Citation. Among his awards, Charlie has been selected as Company 5 Fireman of the Year twice, in both 1999 and 2006. In each of his nomination letters, then Captain Tim Murphy and then Captain Peter Colletta, described Charlie as an individual always serving with enthusiasm and eager to complete any task asked of him. In 2013, then Chief John Hansen awarded Department Fireman of the Year, which is a very selective award only presented for above and beyond events. His dedication to the department and his brother firefighters made him an easy selection.

In October 2012, Long Island was devastated by Hurricane Sandy and the department accommodated 60 lineman crews from Canada who were tasked with helping to restore electricity to Smithtown. During their stay, the department undertook the huge task of providing food, comfort and a place to sleep for these helpers. Many members gave up their time for days on end to make breakfast, lunch and dinner for all these guests, but one member stood out as he always does and that was Charlie. He was regularly at the firehouse to ensure the lineman felt welcomed and were well fed. The kindness and generosity that Charlie exhibits daily were on display to all who were around. Charlie is a man who would give the shirt off his back and is always there to lend a hand whenever he can and never asks for anything in return. While presenting Charlie’s Department Firefighter of the Year award, Chief Hansen stated that Charlie has trained countless chauffeurs on  many of the departments apparatus as far back as when the department had horses. While said in jest it goes to show the pillar that Charlie has become in our organization

Ex-Captain Duffy was laid to rest on May 22nd. A funeral mass was held at St Patrick's Church followed by a procession past the family home, Engine Co. 5's station on Plymouth Blvd and then the Main Firehouse on Elm Ave. At the Main House an arch was raised and Capt. Duffy was brought past the firehouse for a final time. The procession then continued to the cemetery for burial, where his fellow members gave their final salute. 

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian in Nesconset today.
 Daniel Curcio was driving a commercial truck in reverse in the parking lot of Handy Pantry Shopping Center, located at 279 Smithtown Blvd., when the vehicle struck a man walking through the parking lot at approximately 9:30 a.m.
 
The pedestrian, Albert Geerders, 68, of Ronkonkoma, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Curcio, 30, of Nesconset, was not injured.
 
A vehicle safety check was conducted on scene by the Suffolk County Police Department Motor Carrier Safety Unit. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

All info contained in this article comes via SCPD Press Release.

Nesconset Fire Department responds to a traffic collision with reported ejection and heavy rescue at Moriches Road and Middle Country Road in Lake Grove. Units arrive to find a crash involving two vehicles. There was no ejection and no heavy rescue required. Three victims were transported via ambulance to the hospital. 

May 19-25, 2019, is the 45th annual National EMS Week. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) partners with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to lead annual EMS Week activities. Together, NAEMT and ACEP are working to ensure that the important contributions of EMS practitioners in safeguarding the health, safety and wellbeing of their communities are fully celebrated and recognized.

EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line."  Whether celebrated with a company cookout or a catered lunch; an open house, an awards ceremony or even quiet reflection about what it means to be an EMS practitioner, EMS Week is the perfect time to recognize EMS and all that its practitioners do for our nation.

This year, five days of EMS Week have a theme that represents the diverse nature of EMS.

• Monday - EMS Education Day
• Tuesday - Safety Tuesday
• Wednesday - EMS for Children Day
• Thursday - Stop the Bleed Day
• Friday - EMS Recognition Day

A huge thank you to all of the EMS agencies that serve and protect in the Town of Smithtown and the Village of Lake Grove

Commack Volunteer Ambulance

Central Islip Hauppauge Ambulance

Kings Park Fire Department

Smithtown FIre Department

St. James Fire Department

Nesconset FIre Department

Nissequogue FIre Department

Centereach Fire Department

Ronkonkoma Fire Department

Setauket FIre Department

Together these ten agencies answered 31,635 calls in 2018. Thank you for your service and dedication to your community!