Suburban Fire Marshal

2000 hours. The Smithtown Fire Department is dispatched to an activated fire alarm at 30 Route 111 (Sunrise Assisted Living). Units arrive to find a light smoke condition within the building. FD personnel quickly locate a malfunctioning washing machine in a laundry room on the 2nd floor. The machine was shut down, the building was searched and crews ventilated to clear the smoke. There were no injuries and FD units operated for approximately 30 minutes. 

This coming May 19 through May 25, New York State will celebrate EMS week, acknowledging the dedicated men and women who volunteer and work as EMT’s, Paramedics, and Certified First Responders. This year, the State has challenged us to go “Beyond the Call” and spend more time out in the community. 

To kick off our week-long celebration, Commack Ambulance will join with our colleagues throughout the state by participating in the “EMS on Tour” event. On May 19th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, our volunteers will be traversing the town to visit homes, businesses, shopping centers, parks, and community gatherings to offer demonstrations of our equipment and skills. This is a fantastic opportunity to familiarize yourself with what to do in an emergency, how to summon an ambulance, as well as a great chance to help our younger residents be more comfortable with EMT’s and Paramedics if ever faced with a medical emergency. The ambulances will be open for hands-on exploration so you can see all the materials and cutting-edge equipment available at your side if you should ever need to call for help. 

Beginning May 1 and ending May 12 residents can inquire about sponsoring a stop at their home, business, or any location within the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps response district. We ask that residential stops invite your neighbors and have at least 5 kids (or adults!) who are interested in learning about the ambulance. We’re glad to visit shopping centers, houses of worship, or even parks. Our visit will typically take 15 – 20 minutes.

Click on the Commack Ambulance logo below to be re-directed to the sign up page where you can sponsor a stop at your home, business or elsewhere within the ambulance district.

Click this image to go to the CVAC EMS on Tour sign up page.

1508 hours. The Smithtown Fire Department was dispatched for an MVA with overturn and possible trapped occupant on River Road. First Assistant Chief Diecidue arrived on scene first and confirmed there was an overturned vehicle down an embankment off the road with the driver trapped in the vehicle. Rescue 4-2-9 arrived on scene and members began removing the roof with the aid of the crew of 4-2-4 in order to free the trapped occupant. The patient was extricated shortly after and was transported to the hospital by FD ambulance.

Commack Ambulance Corp received a $2,500.00 grant from Walmart during the re-opening of the Commack Store.

Statement from Walmart:

’Congratulations! The Walmart Community Grants Team and Facility # 5202 are pleased to inform you that your Community Grant application has been selected to receive a $2,500.00 grant. We are thrilled to support your work in our communities and share your desire to provide local impact. 
By receiving this grant, you are part of a long history of Walmart’s commitment to giving back to the communities where we operate. In fact, Mrs. Helen Walton used to say ‘It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.’ “

0044 hours. Dix Hills Fire Department is dispatched to 86 Lauren Avenue in regards to a report of a fire on the roof. FRES takes a second call from the occupant reporting smoke in the house. Units arrive and confirm an active fire in the attic. Lines are stretched and the fire is quickly extinguished. Commack Fire Department and Commack Ambulance were among the mutual aid agencies that responded to the scene.

1625 hours. Kings Park Fire Department responds to and extinguishes a vehicle fire on Main Street near Cedar Road. There were no injuries and the vehicle was a total loss.

1244 hours. The Smithtown Fire Department is dispatched to a traffic collision on Terry Road near Catherine Street. Units arrive to find a multi vehicle crash with one vehicle burning. FD personnel extinguished the fire and EMS personnel tended to the aided. All of the injuries were minor.

The Kings Park Fire Department responds to a report of a vehicle burning on East Main Street. Units arrive to find an involved auto in the street. The fire is extinguished without incident and there are no injuries. The vehicle is a total loss. 

At approximately 5:35 p.m., the Setauket Fire Department was notified of an automatic alarm in a home on Triangle Drive. Chief of Department Paul Rodier arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire. Firefighters quickly went to work to knock down the flames. The fire was quickly brought under control by firefighters from the Setauket Fire Department, with mutual aid from Port Jefferson, Saint James, and Stony Brook. The Terryville Fire Department stood by and covered the Setauket Fire District during the alarm.

Information and photos courtesy of Dennis Whittam.

04-22-2019 0829 hrs Vehicle Fire westbound Long Island Expressway exit ramp at exit 55 and the North Service Road by the state yard. This street sweeper was a total loss. The driver was uninjured. The Central Islip Fire Department Sent an engine to assist. Lieutenant Michael Mendola was the officer in charge for Hauppauge.

Information and photos courtesy of 3-8-40

The New York Blood Drive has teamed up with one of Commack Ambulances Youth Squad Members; Cole Darienzo to host a Bloodstock at 200 Burr Road on Tuesday April 23rd from 3pm-9pm. 

The only difference between a Bloodstock and a Blood Drive is that the entire event is being ran by a young member under the age of 18. 

Cole Darienzo joined the Ambulance Corp in July of 2018 at 16 years old. Cole has been a great asset to the Ambulance Corp. being actively involved in riding on the ambulance, trainings that are held, helping on several committees and currently the Youth Squad Captain all while taking AP classes at Commack High School and maintaining above average grades. 

2305 hours. Lakeland FIre Department responds to 820 Easton Street in regards to a report of a building fire. Units arrive to find an active fire in a structure with autoexposure to a large propane tank and a second structure. Mutual aid is requested from Nesconset FD for a RIT, Ronkonkoma FD for an engine and Holbrook for a ladder. Three hose lines were stretched and operated. Additional mutual aid provided by Central Islip FD (engine to cover), Bohemia FD, Central Islip Hauppauge ambulance and Sayville Community Ambulance. All visible fire was knocked down just before 0030 hours. Suffolk Police Arson Detectives are investigating.

1043 hours. The Commack Fire Department responds to a vehicle fire in the Costco parking lot on Garret Place off Crooked Hill Road. Units arrive to find an active fire in the engine compartment of a passenger vehicle. The fire is extinguished without incident and there were no injuries. 

It is with deep regret the Chiefs Office of the St. James Volunteer Fire Department announces that 45 year member, and Past Chief Richard Hunter has answered his last alarm. We ask that you please keep Richard and his family is your prayers at this most difficult time. 

Memorial services are as follows:

Fives Smithtown Funeral Home
31 Landing Avenue
Smithtown, NY 1187

1318 hours. Ronkonkoma, Nesconset, Lakeland and Farmingville Fire Departments are dispatched to a report of a house fire on Walter Street in the Ronkonkoma Fire District. Units arrive to find a heavy fire condition in a two story wood frame dwelling. Multiple lines are stretched and additional mutual aid is requested from the Holbrook, Bohemia, Selden and Holtsville Fire Departments for manpower and coverage.  One of the occupants of this house is a member of the Ronkonkoma Fire Department. Thankfully no one was injured but the family lost everything. A Gofundme page has been setup  and can be accessed by clicking the link below.

1555hrs The Hauppauge Fire Department responds to a vehicle fire on Express Drive South between Wheeler Road and Roosevelt Boulevard. Engines 4 & 1 operated under the command of Engine 1 Captain Patrick Sieczkowski.
Engine 3 was redirected to an auto accident on the LIE due to someone rubber necking relating to the vehicle fire. The vehicle a 2017 Subaru was heavily damaged but the male operator was uninjured. Fire was possibly caused by a fuel system problem. 
One person was injured at the Mva and transported to the hospital by Central Islip-Hauppauge Ambulance.

Information and photos courtesy of 3-8-40