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BRUSH FIRE ON THE LIRR TRACKS

JANUARY 28TH, 2008

 

On Monday, January 28, 2008, at 3:30 PM, the Vigilant Fire Company was notified to respond to the vicinity of Bond Street and North Station Plaza, near the Long Island Railroad Station (LIRR) for a reported brush fire. First responding was Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, 1st Assistant Chief Meade, and 2nd Assistant Chief Pierce. Chief MacDonald, Chief Meade, and Chief Pierce searched the area for any signs of fire, which turned up negative. Manhasset-Lakeville Deputy Chief Pitzer who was in the area, contacted Chief MacDonald, and notified him that the correct location was in the vicinity of 104 Grace Avenue, an area often affected by such brush fires, often caused by sparks from the 3rd rail which ignite dry leaves in the area.

 

Chief MacDonald notified responding, Engine 835, which was already en route, Ambulances 832 and 8311, Engine 8316 and Rescue 834 to respond to that location. 

 

Upon arrival, Chief Meade notified units that the brush fire was on the train tracks, and that a booster line – a 1” diameter exterior firefighting hose – should be stretched from Engine 835 to attempt to extinguish the flames.  Careful coordination by the ever astute Vigilant dispatchers with Chief MacDonald, the LIRR Movement Bureau, the Nassau County and MTA Police Departments facilitated a quick knock down of this potentially dangerous fire.

 

Although the residents who live adjacent to the LIRR tracks were in no immediate danger, had the flames spread beyond their backyards, certainly their homes could have become involved in the flames, which would have caused a great amount of damage.

 

The eleven pieces of fire apparatus and 26 members of the Vigilant Fire Company once again came together to ensure that the residents of Great Neck were protected against the fiery beast.  By 4:47 PM all units were back in quarters ready to respond again.

 

Description By FF Lavi Hematian and Ex-Captain Laurence Jacobs. Photos & Video Taken By Joe Oginski.

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GREAT NECK VIGILANT FIRE COMPANY GIVES AID TO THEIR BROTHERS
ON THEIR SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN BORDERS

JANUARY 23RD, 2008

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at approximately 4:30 PM the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company was called to respond to their South for mutual aid to the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department at the scene of a house fire.  Deputy Chief Pitzer of the M-LFD requested a Firefighter Assistance Team (FAST) and ambulance to respond to the house across from 111 Udall Drive in the Spiny Hill section of Great Neck.

The house fire which appeared to start at the electrical service in the basement was kept under control by the quick action of the M-LFD members from Companies 2 and 4.  Who were assigned on the initial alarm.  The remainder of their fire companies and ambulance unit, were requested to the scene as well.  Thankfully, there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians and the FAST team and ambulance provided by the Vigilant Fire Company, commanded by Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, were not put to use.  Apparatus from Port Washington and Williston Park Fire Departments was requested to standby in the area to respond to any additional alarms.

Just before 11:30 PM the Vigilant Fire Company was request to respond full mutual aid to their North, to the United States Merchant Marine Academy where the Alert Fire Company was called to respond to a building fire. On the initial assignment Alert Deputy Chief Reicherter transmitted the Signal ‘10’ and requested full mutual aid from the Vigilant Fire Company.  Additionally, a FAST team and 3rd Ambulance from Manhasset-Lakeville was requested to respond to the scene.

Vigilant Fire Company Tower Ladder 8324, Engine 835, Rescue 834, and Aerial Ladder 8312 and Ambulance 831 and 8311 responded to the scene with Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, 1st Assistant Meade, 2nd Assistant Pierce, 1st Lieutenant Kelly and 2nd Lieutenant Tucker and approximately 20 firefighters.  The fire started in the boathouse of the USMMA on Kings Point adjacent to the Long Island Sound did some serious damage to the structure.  Chief Reicherter reported a fire through the roof on arrival.  Thankfully, no members or civilians were injured.

Description By Ex-Captain Laurence Jacobs.
Photos Taken By Alert Jr. Ex-Capt. Joe Oginski, Vigilant FF Aaron Benelyahoo, USMM Williamson, & USMM Dennison.

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CAR OVER WALL

JANUARY 10TH, 2008

 

On Thursday, January 10, 2008, at 12:22 PM as many in Great Neck were starting their lunch breaks, the Vigilant Fire Company was called to respond to a car over a wall at the corner of Cuttermill Road and Gussak Plaza.

 

At 12:26 PM just 4 minutes after the transmission of the initial alarm Rescue 834 and Ambulance 831 arrived on scene to find an elderly woman trapped inside a Mercedes-Benz which had driven over a retaining wall between the Bank of America drive through and the parking lot on Gussak Plaza, the car came to rest on top of another car.  Engine 835 was the next unit on scene and stretched a precautionary hose line to extinguish any flames that might erupt. 

 

Commanded by Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, members secured the vehicle to ensure that it was stabilized, and used careful extrication techniques to remove the victim.  Assistant Foreman Brian J. Morris and A-EMT David Weiss used a ground ladder to extricate the victim from the car.  She was removed in less than 15 minutes from the transmission of the alarm. 2 tow trucks from Fagan’s Towing were used to stabilize the vehicles until the area was deemed safe by Chief MacDonald.

 

Only seven minutes after the transmission of the alarm for this unusual incident the Vigilant Fire Company was called upon to respond for Emergency Medical Assistance on East Shore Road, where there was a reported sick person who could not move.

 

In spite of the request by the Nassau County Police Department for their Emergency Services Unit to respond, the Vigilant Fire Company under the expert leadership of Chief MacDonald was able to handle this rare call seamlessly.  The nearly 20 members and 5 pieces of apparatus from the Vigilant Fire Company came together to ensure that once again the residents of Great Neck were well taken care of in their time of need.  All units were back in service by 1:45 PM. 

 

Description By Ex-Captain Laurence Jacobs. Photos Taken By FF Daniel Ismaili.

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GREAT NECK VIGILANT FIRE COMPANY GIVES AID TO THEIR BROTHERS
ON THEIR SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN BORDERS

JANUARY 23RD, 2008

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at approximately 4:30 PM the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company was called to respond to their South for mutual aid to the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department at the scene of a house fire.  Deputy Chief Pitzer of the M-LFD requested a Firefighter Assistance Team (FAST) and ambulance to respond to the house across from 111 Udall Drive in the Spiny Hill section of Great Neck.

The house fire which appeared to start at the electrical service in the basement was kept under control by the quick action of the M-LFD members from Companies 2 and 4.  Who were assigned on the initial alarm.  The remainder of their fire companies and ambulance unit, were requested to the scene as well.  Thankfully, there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians and the FAST team and ambulance provided by the Vigilant Fire Company, commanded by Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, were not put to use.  Apparatus from Port Washington and Williston Park Fire Departments was requested to standby in the area to respond to any additional alarms.

Just before 11:30 PM the Vigilant Fire Company was request to respond full mutual aid to their North, to the United States Merchant Marine Academy where the Alert Fire Company was called to respond to a building fire. On the initial assignment Alert Deputy Chief Reicherter transmitted the Signal ‘10’ and requested full mutual aid from the Vigilant Fire Company.  Additionally, a FAST team and 3rd Ambulance from Manhasset-Lakeville was requested to respond to the scene.

Vigilant Fire Company Tower Ladder 8324, Engine 835, Rescue 834, and Aerial Ladder 8312 and Ambulance 831 and 8311 responded to the scene with Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, 1st Assistant Meade, 2nd Assistant Pierce, 1st Lieutenant Kelly and 2nd Lieutenant Tucker and approximately 20 firefighters.  The fire started in the boathouse of the USMMA on Kings Point adjacent to the Long Island Sound did some serious damage to the structure.  Chief Reicherter reported a fire through the roof on arrival.  Thankfully, no members or civilians were injured.

Description By Ex-Captain Laurence Jacobs.
Photos Taken By Alert Jr. Ex-Capt. Joe Oginski, Vigilant FF Aaron Benelyahoo, USMM Williamson, & USMM Dennison.

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MULTIPLE ALARMS ON A STORMY SUNDAY FOR GREAT NECKS BRAVEST

On Sunday, December 23rd at 6:42 PM the Vigilant Fire Company was notified to respond to a report a transformer explosion and wires burning in the vicinity of Bayview Avenue and Hillcrest Drive in the Village of Great Neck Estates.  The first unit on the scene was 2nd Assistant Chief Joel Pierce. Chief Pierce reported to the responding units that there was a primary wire burning overhead, and requested an immediate response from LIPA.

Chief of Department Scott MacDonald, Engine 835 and Ambulance 8311 responded moments after the initial alarm was transmitted.  

Firefighters commanded by Chief MacDonald and lead by Captain Joshua Charry and 2nd Lieutenant Micah Tucker roped off the affected area.  With the gracious assistance from the Great Neck Estates and Kensington Police Departments the area was held secure and awaited the arrival of LIPA.

As units were going back in service from the call on Bayview Avenue they were advised of another hazardous condition at 9 Cuttermill Road.  Upon arrival a primary wire was seen arcing.  The area was roped off and LIPA was notified for a response.

At 8:57 PM the Vigilant Fire Company was notified for a wire arcing on Stoner Avenue at Bond Street.  The affected pole and area was roped off and LIPA was notified.

At 9:53 PM the Vigilant Fire Company was notified for a wire burning in the roadway at Bayview Avenue and Hillcrest Drive.  Upon arrival Chief MacDonald requested an ETA for LIPA from the original request at 6:43 PM.  Vigilant Dispatch was advised by LIPA that the original request was put in their computers wrong, with the wrong address, and the wrong priority level.  Dispatch advised LIPA that this called needed to be the highest priority since the burning wire had now fallen off the pole, was encroaching on a house and was creating a 1 foot deep crater in the middle of Bayview Avenue.

By 10:20 PM the wire had stopped burning, the scene was returned to the expert control of the Great Neck Estates and Kensington Police Departments who again awaited the arrival of LIPA, and now the arrival of the Nassau County Highway Department to repair the road.

By 10:30 PM all Vigilant Fire units were back in quarters ready for their next assignment. By 1 AM on Monday the wire had been repaired and the road was passable again.

Description By Ex-Captain Laurence Jacobs.

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