Suburban Fire Marshal

10:00 hours The Smithtown Fire Dept color guard was on hand at a ribbon cutting ceremony unveiling newly installed “salute to the veterans wall of fame” at Smithtown High School West on Central Road. This display honors all veterans that attended the school. 
School officials as well as many of the veterans who attended and graduated from the high school were on hand.

2326 hours. Smithtown Fire Department responds to a dumpster fire at 111 Route 347. Units arrived to find the contents of a roll off dumpster burning near an office building. The crews from Engines 2 and 5 extinguished the fire while the crew from Ladder 7 conducted a search of the building to confirm smoke or fire had not extended inside. All units operated under the command of Asst. Chief Duckham for approximately 40 mins.

1529 hours. The Smithtown Fire Department is dispatched to a report of an outside gas leak at 56 Dillmont Drive. Crews responded and found that the valve assembly on a buried propane tank had been struck by a dump truck and was leaking . Chiefs  4-2-31 and 4-2-32 operated with Engine 4-2-5, Rescue 4-2-9, and Fire Police unit 4-2-10 secured the area and attempted to stop the leak. A representative from the propane supplier arrived on scene at which time the  leak was stopped and the tank offloaded. Units operated on scene for approximately 2 hours. There were no injuries. 

Central Islip Hauppauge Ambulance Photo

EMT Steve Zacharevitz was presented with a Suffolk County Prehospital Save Award at the monthly Suffolk REMSCO meeting. 
Steve responded to a reported drowning in July of 2019. As the first provider on scene, he confirmed the patient was in full cardiac arrest and began basic life support techniques in an attempt to revive the patient. With Steve’s efforts, the patient regained a pulse and consciousness by the time the ambulance arrived in scene and was transported to a local hospital.
Congratulations on a job well done!

1229 Hours. Centereach Fire Department is dispatched to a vehicle fire at Middle Country Road and Dietz Avenue in Lake Grove. The Lake Grove Fire Marshal was first in and advised of an active fire in the refuse compartment of a garbage truck on Dietz Ave, just north of Middle Country Road. While the FD was en-route, the Fire Marshal ordered the driver to move the truck to the opposite side of the street as it was parked under utility and electric lines. Engine 6 was first in and stretched on the fire. Engines 7 and 2 followed shortly thereafter and the crews of same assisted with the line and handled overhaul after the garbage was dumped in the street. FD personnel operated for approximately 30 minutes. There were no injuries.

2021 hours. The Smithtown FIre Department is dispatched to a dumpster fire at 24 Croft Lane. Units arrive to find a fire in a manure and hay dumpster in the driveway. The fire was extinguished without incident. Asst Chief 33 operated with two engines and the rescue. 

1836 hours. The Hauppauge Fire Department responds to 730 Veterans Highway in regard to a car fire. Crews find a 2008 Honda Accord burning in the parking lot. The fire was extinguished without incident. he lone female occupant was uninjured.

1234 hours. Ronkonkoma, Lakeland, Nesconset and Farmingville Fire Departments are dispatched to Sams Garage at 105 Portion Road at Ronkonkoma Avenue in regard to a vehicle reportedly on fire in the building. Units were on scene quickly and advised of heavy fire throughout the building. Ronkonkoma firefighters immediately tied into numerous hydrants and deployed multiple master streams. Additional mutual aid was requested from the Selden Fire Department, Holtsville Fire Department, CI-Hauppauge Ambulance from the Holbrook Fire Department for an engine and a quint and the St. James Fire Department for a ladder,  The fire was brought under control within 90 minutes but units remained on scene into the evening. The building was a total loss and had to be torn down to allow the fire department to completely extinguish the fire. Fire Marshals from the Town of Brookhaven and Detectives from Suffolk PD Arson are investigating the causeNewtons Garage was built in 1923 for Sumner Newton and his brother Dick, both sons of E. Hollis Newton. Photos courtesy of T. Murphy Jr, J. Gonzales, the Diaz's, Stringer News, The Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society, Facebook  and Groupme.

0804 hours. Commack FIre Department and CVAC respond to Commack Road in regard to a traffic collision. Units arrive to find that a vehicle hit Deli Beer and Soda at 223 Commack Road. Damage and injuries were minor. 

1425 hours. Dix Hills Fire Department is dispatched to a private residence in regard to a subject in cardiac arrest on the roof of a private dwelling. Units arrived, confirmed the arrest and requested a ladder from the Commack Fire Department to assist. The victim was removed from the roof and transported to the hospital by Dix Hills FD ambulance.

The Central Islip Hauppauge Volunteer Ambulance assisted the Sayville Community Ambulance in a Mass Casualty Exercise with the Long Island Railroad. Members practiced basic skills in triage, treatment, and transport decisions at a large scale emergency.

It is with deepest regret the Centereach Fire Department announces the passing of 60 year Life-Member and Honorary Deputy Chief: Robert Bloom.

Robert Bloom became a member of the Centereach Fire Department on January10th 1959 and was assigned to Engine Company # 2. He was a dedicated member of the Department from the start, serving as a firefighter, radio & telephone operator, was one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians’ in the Department and at one point was qualified to drive all fire apparatus and ambulances.

Bob would go on to serve in multiple officer ranks first becoming a Lieutenant in Company 2 serving from 1962 –1967, followed by Captain in both 1969 & 1970. In 1971 he became a member of Hook & Ladder Company # 1 serving as Lieutenant in 1973, Captain in 1974, and Lieutenant once again in 1975. The Hook & Ladder Company merged with Rescue Company 1 in 1976 to become Emergency Company 1 (now Rescue Co. 4). Bob remained an active firefighter until the late 1980’s before transferring to Fire Police Company.

In 1966 in addition to serving as a line officer in the department Bob was responsible for organizing the Centereach Fireman’s Benevolent Association which he served as President for 28 years through 1994. He was also responsible for organizing multiple Department blood drives. Over the years he received many awards for his years of dedicated service to the Department Including Captains awards & High Point awards from Rescue Company & Fire Police Company. In 1988, Bob received the Department high point award for responding to the most alarms for the department, and in 1984 the Department held its only “roast” in his honor, where he received multiple awards from all the companies, the Chiefs office and front the Fire Commissioners.

In 2001, after over 40 years of service, Robert Bloom was appointed to the rank of Honorary Deputy Chief by a unanimous vote of the members of the Department for his many years of service and dedication.  

At the 2009 Installation Dinner he was honored for 50 active years of service and was the guest of honor of the dinner receiving multiple awards and proclamations’ for his dedicated service. Bob would also receive an award for 55 years of active service at the 2015 dinner.

Bob was an active member for 56 years into his late 90’s remaining a social member at department events. In 2018 the department celebrated his 100th birthday, surprising him with a cake and singing happy birthday after the September department meeting.

At the 2019 installation dinner Bob was awarded the Christian Huber Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime of dedication to our Department and to the community.

We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our dear fellow firefighter, friend and bother Bob, His many years of dedicated service to our community will never be forgotten, and we send our deepest thoughts and sympathies to his friends and family members.

Bob Bloom was predeceased by his wife Muriel. They have three children, Ronald, David and Keith as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren, Rest Easy Chief.

Today Central Islip-Happague Volunteer Ambulance Corps. In conjunction with Central Islip Fire Department and the Ambulance Corps of Islip Township conducted a Multi-Agency Mass Causualty Incident Drill. The drill was a multi vehicle incident which included a school bus on the grounds of the old Central Islip Hospital. The drill started at 0800 hours at the Islip Town Fire Museum with a briefing of the drill and a show and tell of the equipment and training on bleeding control , Communications , rehab and a walk through of equipment. At 11:30 am the hands on portion of the drill took place on the college grounds. Also involved in the drill were Suffolk County Fire / Rescue , Suffolk County EMS and Suffolk County Police Aviation.

0743 hours The Hauppauge FIre Department responds with CIHVAC to a traffic collision at Wheeler Road and Veterans Highway. Units arrived to find a crash involving two vehicles, with the occupant of one trapped within. Heavy Rescue 3-8-9 and Engine 3-8-13 operated at this scene under the command of Assistant Chief Brett Martinez. CI-Hauppague Ambulance and an Ambulance from Brentwood Legion transported both of the female drivers.

0025 hours. CI Fire Department and Central Islip Hauppauge Ambulance were dispatched to a report of a traffic collision on Motor Parkway near Hawthorne Street. Units arrived to find that a passenger vehicle left the roadway, struck a utility pole, coming to rest on its side. All of the occupants had self extricated. CIHVAC handled the transport while CIFD secured the vehicle. The scene was then turned over to SCPD. 

1150 hours, Commack Ambulance was dispatched along with the Commack Fire Department to a traffic collision at the intersection of Burr Road and Larkfield Road. Upon EMS arrival crews found 2 vehicles one of which left the roadway and hit a building.  CVAC crews determined that there were no injuries in this crash. FD personnel secured both vehicles and turned the scene over to SCPD.

2027 hours.  Smithtown Fire Department was activated for wires down call on Terry Road near North Avenue. Crews responded and found a primary power line burned through which caused 3 separate fires along Terry Rd. PSEG responded and had to completely cut power to the area so members could safely extinguish the fires. Units operated on scene for 45 minutes under the command of Chief 4-2-32. As a result of this incident, the St. James Fire Department was called to respond and remove numerous people from stuck elevators at an assisted living facility on Lake Avenue in Nesconset. There were no injuries. 

1530 hours. Commack Ambulance and Commack Fire Department were dispatched to a report of a car into woods on the exit ramp of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway. Units arrived to find that a passenger vehicle left the roadway, coming to rest along the woods line. Commack FD personnel extricated the occupant from the vehicle while EMS personnel stabilized. CVAC then transported the patient to Southside Hospital with minor injuries.

CVAC responded to two motor vehicle accidents today. The first was on Old Commack Rd and Scholar Lane a vehicle struck a pole cracking the pole in half, both occupants of the vehicle had minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries.

The second was on Townline Road and Hubbell Street. Two cars were involved in a motor vehicle accident. A driver from one of the vehicles was taken to the hospital for evaluation of non life threatening injuries. The scene was turned over to SCPD for further investigation.

Information and photos are from the CVAC Faceboook page