WORKING STRUCTURE FIRE
FRIDAY, APRIL 9TH, 2010
Vigilant Fire Company Lends a Helping Hand to
Their Neighbors to the North
On
Friday, April 9, 2010, at approximately 10:30 in
the morning, the Vigilant Fire Company was
dispatched to respond to 71 Red Brook Road for a
working structure fire, to provide mutual aid to
its neighboring department the Alert Fire Company.
Vigilant units were on the road moments after the
call was received. Vigilant firefighters ascended
the roof and cut ventilation holes to ensure all
of the fire and smoke could be alleviated from the
inside of the house.
Vigilant ambulances also responded along with
Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department. Shortly after
arrival, Vigilant ambulance 8311 transported a
firefighter with minor injuries to North Shore
University Hospital in Manhasset. Units on scene
included Chiefs 838, 8310, Engine 835, Tower
Ladder 8324, Aerial Ladder 8312, Ambulance 831 and
8311. Units remained on scene for approximately
two hours, and assisted with overhaul to ensure no
fire extended behind the walls after it was
extinguished. All units were back in service by 1
PM.
Description by 1st
Asst. Chief Laurence Jacobs.
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WORKING STRUCTURE FIRE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH, 2010
Vigilant Fire
Company Helps Extinguish a Stubborn Winter Blaze
At 6:55 PM on
Thursday, February 18, 2010, the Vigilant Fire
Company was requested
to respond mutual aid for the Alert Fire Company to 6 Wooleys Lane for a
reported apartment fire.
The fire which started on the top floor of the 3 story building had
extended through the roof and required multiple
mutual aid companies from across the North Shore of
Long Island to bring it under control.
3 firefighters
sustained minor injuries while operating at the fire
scene.
They were treated at North Shore Hospital and
released later that evening. No civilians were
hurt.
By 8:20 PM the fire was under control and by 10:30 PM all Vigilant Fire
Company units were back in service.
Always
Vigilant
Immediately
following the fire there was a minor car accident on
Kings Point Road where the
Vigilant ambulance was requested to respond to treat
2 civilians with minor injuries.
They were transported to North Shore Hospital for
evaluation.
Write up by 1st
Assistant Chief Laurence Jacobs. Photos by MLFD LT.
Lee Genser.
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MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2010
In the afternoon on Saturday,
January 9th, 2010, the Vigilant Fire Company was
requested to respond with an Ambulance to Maple
Street, off of Polo Road for a Motor Vehicle
Accident with aided. Vigilant units responded, and
assisted the Alert Fire Company in ensuring all
persons in the vehicles were safely removed.
Vigilant Emergency Medical Technicians evaluated all
people involved in the accident. The vehicle that
had overturned, was penetrated by the fire hydrant,
through the roof of the vehicle upon rollover.
Write up by Firefighter Joe
Oginski. Photos by LT. Joe Kelly, and Fire Medic Hal
Lyman.
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FOUR CAR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
MIDDLE NECK RD C/S ALLENWOOD RD
MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH, 2010
On the evening of Monday, January
4th, 2010 the Vigilant Fire Company received
numerous calls for a multi-car collision at the
intersection of Middle Neck Road and Allenwood Road.
Upon receipt of the call, Vigilant units were on the
road, responding within one minute of the alarm.
Vigilant Chief's responded, followed by Heavy Rescue
834, Ambulance 831, Ambulance 8311, Engine 835, and
Ladder 8312. Great Neck Estates and Kensington
Police Departments additionally responded to assist
at the scene. Upon arrival, it was determined that
after one vehicle attempted to turn from Allenwood
Road onto Middle Neck Road, the second vehicle
collided as it was proceeding ahead. Vigilant units
applied speedy dry, to ensure any chemicals that had
leaked out of the effected vehicles did not endanger
any civilians on the road, as well as transported
multiple aided to North Shore Hospital.
Write up by Firefighter Joe
Oginski.
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ODOR OF NATURAL GAS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30th, 2009
On
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 the
Vigilant Fire Company was dispatched to 10 Ipswich
Avenue, for an odor of Natural Gas. Vigilant units
responded to the call within three minutes of the
alarm being dispatched. Upon arrival, firefighters
searched the entire building, and used natural gas
meters to determine the location of the odor. After
an extensive search was completed, it was found that
a stove burner had been left on. Units requested
National Grid to respond to the scene to ensure
everything was properly secured.
Units were back in service within 30 minutes.
Write up
by Firefighter Joe Oginski, Captain Josh Forst, and
Chief Laurence Jacobs.
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AIRBAGS DRILL W/ MULTIPLE
AMBULANCE CALLS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23rd, 2009
Early in the afternoon on December
23rd, the Vigilant Fire Company began receiving
numerous ambulance calls simultaneously. Vigilant
firefighters were scheduled for a drill on Airbag
operations at Headquarters. Throughout this drill,
Firefighters use airbags in different situations
that may occur in an everyday emergency incident,
such as a person pinned under a train, or a large
vehicle. These airbags have the ability, when
pressurized to stabilize the weight of heavy and
large objects, that aide our firefighters in proper
rescue, and provide a secure environment for them to
work. From the start of the drill at 7pm, through
the completion at 10pm, the Vigilant Fire Company
successfully completed 6 back to back ambulance
calls, providing flawless and quick response to
those in need in Great Neck.
Write up by Firefighter Joe
Oginski.
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R.O.C.O. ROPES TRAINING
FOR VIGILANT FIREFIGHTERS
OCTOBER 24TH, 2009
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
On the weekends of
October 17th and 24th, the
Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company conducted a rope
operations training class for its membership. The 50
hour class, intended to teach firefighters to
access, package, and remove victims from both high
angle and confined space scenarios, was organized
and run through ROCO: a ropes training company based
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Throughout the course
firefighters were trained on various rope
operations, as well as proper removal of victims in
emergency situations. Firefighters received
certification in ROCO.
Write
Up By Firefighter Steven Neuhaus. Photos by
Firefighter Steven Blocker.
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BURNING ODOR
96 CUTTERMILL ROAD
FRIDAY, APRIL 3RD, 2009
At 8:14PM on Friday, April 3rd
2009, the Vigilant Fire Company received a telephone
alarm from the staff at 96 Cuttermill Road reporting
a burning odor on the main floor in the dining room
and kitchen area. Upon arrival, an electrical type
odor was noted upon entering the kitchen.
Firefighters used a Thermal Imaging Camera to
determine that there were two defective lighting
ballasts. Firefighters removed both of these
defective ballasts, and capped remaining wires.
Captain Charry led the investigation and ensured
that there would be no further hazards.
Upon completion of the
investigation, a further odor was noted. After
further investigation, a haze developed and centered
around the grill area. After investigating this
matter firefighters determined that a bag of towels
at the bottom of a steam table was smoldering upon
its removal. The fire in the bag was extinguished by
firefighters. Captain Charry requested the Nassau
County Fire Marshal's office to respond for further
precautions.
Description by Captain
Joshua Charry.
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MUTUAL AID TO GREAT NECK ALERT
FIRE COMPANY
9 ARRANDALE AVE, C/S MIDDLE NECK ROAD
FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2009
At 7:32PM, on Friday March 27th, the Vigilant Fire
Company was dispatched for mutual aid to the Great
Neck Alert Fire Company for a working structure fire
at 9 Arrandale Ave.
Upon arrival, heavy fire was visible from the right
side of the building on the second floor, extending
into the attic of the house. Vigilant firefighters
worked together with the Alert firefighters to
extinguish the fire and overhaul the structure to
ensure there were no pockets of fire remaining
hidden within the walls and ceilings.
During the initial firefighting operations, the
conditions worsened and all units were ordered to
leave the structure immediately due to potential
hazards in the building. After the fire was knocked
down from the exterior and the structure was deemed
safe, Firefighters re-entered the building for
further extinguishment of the fire. The fire
load was so heavy at times, that master streams were
used to assist in extinguishing the fire from
outside the structure. The last units were cleared
at 12:15AM and returned to quarters.
Description by Firefighter
Joe
Oginski, LT Micah Tucker, and Assistant Chief
Mark
Meade.
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MUTUAL AID TO M-LFD - WORKING
STRUCTURE FIRE
5 SCHENCK AVE, C/S SOUTH MIDDLE NECK RD
MARCH 25TH, 2009
At 1:54PM, the Great
Neck Vigilant Fire Company was dispatched to provide
Mutual Aid to the Manhasset Lakeville Fire
Department, for a working structure fire in a large
apartment building at 5 Schenck Ave. Chief of
Department Scott MacDonald was in charge of Vigilant
Fire Company operations, assisting him was 1st
Assistant Chief Mark Meade.. Units were out the door within moments
responding to the scene, and stayed on scene until
5:57PM.
The fire was located on the top floor of the three
story structure. Chief MacDonald additionally
requested tower ladder 8324 to respond to the scene
to assist with the removal of any other possible
victims from the building, along with roof access.
Upon arrival, Vigilant units began assisting
Manhasset Lakeville units make a push into the fire
rooms to extinguish the fire, as well as begin
forcing all doors on the third floor, in an attempt
to extricate any victims that may have been trapped
in their apartments, and bring them to safety.
Firefighters forced well over 20 doors to secure the
building and ensure the safety of all occupants.
After all occupants were confirmed removed,
Firefighters were instructed to ensure there was no
further extension of the fire by opening up all
walls and ceilings in the area of the fire.
The
Manhasset Lakeville Fire Department and Vigilant
Fire Company worked hand and hand, along with many
other departments from Nassau County to extinguish
this fire. The Nassau County Police department,
Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, as
well as the American Red Cross responded to this
large scale incident to assist the community in
their time of need as all the residents of the
building were displaced due to the extensive damage
sustained by the building.
Description By Firefighter
Joe Oginski.
and Assistant Chief
Mark Meade.
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OVEN FIRE
34 GATEWAY DRIVE
FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2009
On Friday, March 27th at 11:26AM, the Vigilant Fire Company responded to 34 Gateway Drive for a report of smoke from the Great Neck Estates Police Department. Units were on the road in minutes responding, and gained entry with the assistance of the Police Department. Upon arrival, units found the contents of the oven to be on fire and uncontained. Firefighters immediately extinguished the Oven Fire, and ensured that no further damage was incurred. All units were back in service within 20 minutes.
Description By Firefighter
Joe Oginski.
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WORKING STRUCTURE FIRE - 1 MIRRIELEES CIRCLE
SUNDAY, OCT. 19TH, 2008
On October 19th, 2008 at 8:45am the emergency phone rang at Vigilant Fire Company headquarters on Cuttermill Road reporting a house fire at 1 Mirrielees Circle in the village of Great Neck Estates.
Within two minutes, Officer Jakowski of the Great Neck Estates Police Department arrived on scene and reported a house fire which was confirmed by 1st Assistant Chief, Mark Meade upon his arrival at 8:49am.
First due engine 835 under the command of Captain Forst assisted by Lieutenant Tucker arrived minutes later, established a water source and the members stretched an 1 3/4" line to the back bedroom where the fire was located.
As this was occurring, Chief Scott MacDonald arrived, took over command, and Chief Meade entered the house to supervise interior firefighting operations.
The fire was knocked down quickly and the Vigilant's assisted by members of the Alert Fire Company and the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department performed overhaul to make sure that the fire was out. While the Vigilant's were operating at the fire, the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department ambulance responded to an ambulance call at the Grace Plaza Nursing Home.
All Vigilant Fire Company units were back in service at 10:28am.
Description by Captain Josh Forst. Photos Taken By Medic Mark Winiarski.
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GREAT NECK VIGILANT TEACHES FIRE PREVENTION ON CW 11 MORNING NEWS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6TH, 2008
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
On Monday, October 6th, 2008, news channel CW11 spent the morning at the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company, learning Fire Prevention. Chief Scott R. MacDonald led CW11 and his crew of firefighters into the "Vigilant Tower", a structure used to demonstrate a real working structure fire. Larry from CW11 wanted to experience how dangerous a situation of this sort can be. On the second floor of the tower, it was setup to be an apartment building, including old furniture, a wooden book case and other bedroom accessories. When Chief MacDonald brought Larry to the bottom of the staircase of the 1st floor, everyone began to feel the heat, and knew that the second floor was going to be much hotter. Upon arrival to the second floor, the fire had already been ignited for only a moment or two. When the door was opened, the fire had radiated off of everything in the room, causing extreme heat, and a lot of fire. Chief MacDonald and the entire Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company had hosted this demonstration to show the public how important fire safety is, and that it could be the difference between life and death. Make sure you check and change the batteries on all of your smoke detectors, and ensure that everything is working properly and is up to date.
Description by FF Joe Oginski.
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MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH AIDED
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22ND, 2008
At 15:03, the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company was dispatched to the location of 83 Old Mill Road for an Auto Accident with 2 vehicles involved. Upon arrival, it was determined that the driver of one vehicle had fallen asleep at the wheel, colliding into a parked vehicle, driving the second vehicle over 10 feet onto the lawn of the residence. Under the command of Chief of Department MacDonald, the scene was immediately enclosed to ensure all personnel and civilians were safe. Ambulance 832 immediately responded to transport one patient to North Shore Hospital in Manhasset. All units were back in service within the hour.
Description by FF Joe Oginski. Photos Taken By Chief Scott MacDonald.
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VIGILANT FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO NUMEROUS CALLS FOR HELP
DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS
On Monday, August 11th, 2008 the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company responded to 20+ Emergency Calls. The Vigilant Fire Company was dispatched to 14 Fire/Rescue Calls, and 6 Ambulance calls. Directed by Chief of Department MacDonald, Vigilant units operated from the morning through the night responding to numerous calls for everything ranging from downed power lines to water leaks due to the severe weather condition. The first call the Vigilant’s were dispatched to was an auto accident at the intersection of Middle Neck Road & Embassy Court, which involved a two car motor vehicle accident, driving one vehicle into the structural housing of the buildings across the street. In addition, all fluids were contained and speedy dry absorbent was applied by firefighters to prevent any injury. Only a few moments later, Vigilant dispatchers received another call, for a downed power line in the vicinity of Allenwood Road & Governors Court. Due to weather conditions, there was severe flooding throughout Great Neck only causing more obstacles for the fire department to overcome. The power line then fell into a large amount of water, at which point firefighters created a safe perimeter around the area to ensure no civilians would be injured. Chief MacDonald then requested for National Grid and Keyspan to respond to the location. After being shut down, firefighters then extinguished the fire due to the downed line. At this point in time Vigilant dispatch notified all units on the road to respond to numerous additional automatic alarms caused by the weather, as well as then proceed to a residence on Hillcrest drive for a severe water leak. After firefighters entered, they shut down gas to the house to prevent any dangerous situation. Units then redirected to a residence on Greenacre Court, and after walking through the residence with a gas meter determined that there was a gas leak, at which point they immediately shut down gas to the home. Keyspan was notified for evaluation. After being directed to more automatic alarms, Vigilant units responded to a commercial store located on Middle Neck Road, for a reported basement fire. Firefighters determined that due to flooding, an electrical motor began to smolder. Power to the building was shut down, the basement was ventilated, and units were back in service within the hour. This was an extremely day for the Vigilant Fire Company, responding to emergency calls day and night, good weather or poor. We are here to serve our community.
Description by FF Joe Oginski. Photos taken by EMT's Steven Shapiro & Sara Neuhaus.
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VIGILANT FIRE COMPANY RESPONDS TO AUTO ACCIDENT WITH AIDED
JUNE 27TH, 2008
On Friday, June 27th, 2008, at 15:43, the Vigilant Fire Company responded to the intersection of Bayview Avenue & Old Mill Road for a report of a 3 car accident, with multiple patients. Vigilant ambulances 831, 832, and 8311 responded to the scene to provide immediate medical attention. Under the command of Chief of Department Scott MacDonald. Vigilant ambulances transported two patients to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. All patients were safely removed from the vehicles involved in the accident, and secured for transport to the hospital. The Alert Fire Company was also on scene to provide Heavy-Rescue, responding with Rescue 828, and assisted the Vigilant Fire Company in removing all patients. All Vigilant units were back in service within the hour.
Description by Joe Oginski. Photos Taken By Chief Scott MacDonald.
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Great Neck Vigilant Recognizes Volunteer for
Long-Term Dedication to Community
Vivian Gloria Meyer-McGrath, a native of Great Neck, has helped so many people in one way or another for some 50 years. She has worn many hats throughout her life - from nurse to CPR instructor to EMT - assisting others makes her feel good. On June 2nd, the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company honored Vivian for her hard work and long-standing commitment to the firehouse by dedicating an ambulance to the 70-year-old EMT.
“We truly appreciate all of Vivian’s efforts through the years. Not only has she been a mentor to many of our fire and medic personnel within Great Neck Vigilant, but she has played an integral role in helping many citizens in our neighborhood,” said Chief Scott R. MacDonald. “The generosity of Vivian’s time and her selfless acts must be commended. It is with great honor that we dedicate an ambulance in her name.”
From 1970 to 1984, Vivian was a CPR instructor at St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center; prior to that period, she was a nurse. Throughout the 1970’s, she had a desire to join her local fire company, but at the time, Long Island fire companies and departments did not accept female volunteers. In 1984, she found out through a local newspaper article that the local fire company was starting to accept women; she immediately applied. Vivian was one of a large group of women to join that inaugural year. “It was hard because we all worked and had families; you had to do the drills. But it was nice at the same time; we had a whole bunch of great women,” recalled Vivian. All of the women had regular daytime jobs at the time. Vivian worked as a manager of the Bank of New York at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
From 1996 to 1999, Vivian served as Board President of Great Neck Vigilant and then in 1999, she became Treasurer-Trustee, a position she would hold for two years.
In 2000, the Nassau Regional EMS Council named Vivian “Basic Life Support Provider of the Year”; in 1997, she was honored by the Kings Point Civic Association; and in 1995, Vivian was recognized by the Superintendent Faculty and Regiment of Mid-shipmen of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
During 2008, Vivian was added to the May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor, in which she was recognized by North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Town Clerk Leslie Gross for her contributions to the Township. Also this year, Vivian received the Nassau County Legislature's "Women Trailblazers" award; annually, the Nassau Legislature recognizes the extraordinary work of women throughout the County.
Vivian believes that people should help other people and get involved. She said, “You must do one thing at a time, and do it well.” Those are words that she says she lives by every day.
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MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 26TH, 2008
On Monday May 26th the officers and members of the Vigilant Engine and Hook & Ladder Company celebrated Memorial Day by participating in the Great Neck Memorial Day Parade. Shortly before 9:00 AM on Monday, the entire company assembled in front of their headquarters on Cutter Mill Road to remember those who have paid the ultimate price in the name of our community, state and country.
Led by Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, the 63 members, 2 antique fire engines, 3 front line fire engines, 1 aerial ladder, 1 tower ladder, 1 heavy rescue, 1 mini-pumper and 3 ALS ambulances paraded down Middle Neck Road from Schenck Avenue to the Village Green in the Old Village. Following a ceremony on the Village Green and a 21 Gun Salute by members of the Kings Point Drill Team, the firefighters continued to All Saints Church for the playing of ‘Taps’ and a final salute to the somber day.
Later the same day members also participated in the Little Neck – Douglaston Memorial Day Parade as has been the tradition for the company. This parade has the largest attendance of any Memorial Day Parade in the country.
While parading the community was still protected by the qualified firefighters and EMTs of Great Neck. During the Great Neck Parade the fire company responded to an automatic alarm at an occupied multiple dwelling on Cutter Mill Road. Although 5 firefighters and 1 engine had to leave the parade to respond, there was only a minor disruption to the parade for the false alarm.
Description By Ex-Captain Laurence Jacobs. Photos Taken By Kings Point Police LT. Banville.
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MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT - CAR VS. POLE
MAY 21ST, 2008
On Wednesday May 21, just before midnight the Vigilant Fire Company was notified of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Mirrielees Road. Upon arrival members found a late model BMW had missed the turn at Cutter Mill Road and stuck a telephone pole. The pole was severely damaged, and power was out in the area. Officers from the Great Neck Estates Police Department were instrumental in helping the accident victim to safety.
Commanded by 1st Assistant Chief Mark D. Meade the members from Ambulance 8311 were able to secure and transport the injured passenger from the vehicle. Firefighters lead by 1st Lieutenant Joe Kelly roped off the effected area and notified LIPA.
All Vigilant Units were back in service just around 12:30 on May 22. LIPA however continued to work through the night to restore power to their effected customers. The intersection remained closed until 2 PM Thursday Afternoon as LIPA worked in the area.
Photos & Description By Ex-Captain Laurence Jacobs.
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