On the morning of Wednesday December 16th 2009 the Islip Fire Department was activated by Suffolk County Fire Rescue to respond for a report of a motor vehicle accident with heavy rescue on the corner of Saxon Ave and Moffitt Blvd. Islip FD rescue units responded immediatly after the activation due to a progressive daytime EMS program in place that houses a pre-established Advanced Life Support ambulance crew at fire headquarters ready to respond between 6am and 6pm.

First arriving unit was EMT Jared Gunst acting as first responder 3-4-75 who notified Islip Dispatch that he had a two vehicle accident with one patient unresponsive and still within the vehicle. Ambulance 3-4-3 arrived soon after who immediatly assisted in a rapid extrication of the male for immediate transport to Southside Hospital. The patient was in critical condition with a serious head injury.

The patient was quickly transported to southside hospital with two Islip FD ALS providers on board. From the time that the department was notified until the time the patient arrived at the hospital was only 14 minutes. This quick response is vital for the safety of the residents of Islip.

Units on alarm 3-4-3, 3-4-7, 3-4-14, 3-4-75, 3-4-30, 3-4-31, 3-4-32. The Islip Exchange ambulance as well as the Islip Town tactical medic unit were also on scene to assist. Chief of Department Joseph S. Marino was the officer in charge of the alarm.

****The Suffolk County Police 3rd squad is currently investigating this accident and ask that anyone with information please call the third squad at 631-854-8352.****

(Photos By Karen Bouse)

JG

On September 14, 2009, Engine Company No. 2 celebrated Honorary Chief Richard “Coach” Eccleston’s 60 years of service to the Islip Fire Department. Firefighter Eccleston has been a dedicated member of the Islip Fire Department since first joining the rolls on September 21, 1949. He was previously awarded Honorary Chief status upon achieving 50 years of service in 1999. Coach was presented with numerous proclamations and plaques and his wife Shirley received a bouquet of roses from the officer’s of Engine Company No. 2.
 
(Photos by Tom Kaminski)

Members of the Islip Fire Department's Tactical Rescue Team and Rescue Squad supported the annual Maggie Fischer Great South Bay Coss Bay Swim on July 24. Islip contributed by providing Marine Unit 3-4-26 and it four-man crew. A total of 86 swimmers completed the 6.2 mile swim, which runs across the bay between the Fire Island Lighthouse Dock and ending at Walker Beach Park in Brightwaters. While deployed unit 3-4-26 and its crew recovered two swimmers who were in distress and returned them safely to shore.

(Photos by John DeGarmo)

On the morning of June 2009, Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services activated the Islip Fire Department for a report of a residential structure fire at 2687 Union Blvd. As part of a progressive daytime mutual aid policy, the East Islip Fire Department was immediatly alerted to send one engine to the scene. Islip Town Fire Marshall 3-0-41 was the first to arrive on scene and immediatly contacted Islip dispatch and declared a working fire. Under the direction of Captain Pizzo Engine 3-4-1, which was the first due, picked up a hydrant and stretched two attack lines. Upon arrival the fire was well advanced and already self venting out of the 2nd floor window on the Exposure 2 side of the house. Engine crews were met with heavy fire conditions on the 2nd floor which eventually extended up to the 3rd floor. Chief Joseph S. Marino established Islip command and requested a 3rd assignment via mutual aid procedures. This called in Islip Terrace for a truck, East Islip for another engine and a truck, Bay Shore for an engine and truck and West Islip for an engine to standby at the scene. The fire in the three-story Victorian-type structure was quickly extinguished by the Islip and mutual aid crews.

The Islip Exchange Ambulance under the direction of 2nd Asst Chief Stu Cohen established a rehab area and assisted on the scene. Additional ambulances were provided by the Bay Shore Brightwaters rescue ambulance and the Sayville Comunity Ambulance. An East Islip firefighter was transported for evaluation. One female occupant of the house was transported for burns prior to arrival. Islip units responding included Cheifs 3-4-30 and 3-4-32, Engines 3-4-1 and Engine 3-4-9, Fire Police 3-4-8 and 3-4-10.

(Photos by Tracy Tursellino)

On May 13, while visiting the 106th Rescue Wing facilities at Gabreski Airport, in Westhampton Beach, the Islip Fire Department fell victim to a hijacking. Several members of the Engine Company No. 2 had traveled to the facility aboard Engine 3-4-7, to welcome Firefighter Matt Infante home from a five-month deployment to Afghanistan. Matt is a member of the Engine Company No. 2, a flight engineer with 106th and a New York City firefighter. Although the operator had left his engine in the relative safety of the Gabreski Airport Fire Department’s parking lot, the crew returned to find that their beloved Pierce Dash pumper had been stolen. Following a brief search, the crew discovered that the engine had in fact been hijacked by the Gabreski Airport Fire Department, who had in fact tried to hide it amongst their own apparatus. After some fast talking by Captain Joe Ferrari and a promise by the operator that he would never leave his engine in a “no parking” zone again, 3-4-7 was returned to the Islip crew.

(photos by Tom Kaminski)

On April 20, 2009, the Islip Fire Department welcomed its newest Honorary Chief, when it presented ex-Captain Forrest P. “Tick” Clock Sr. with a new gold badge and title at its regular monthly meeting. Following the meeting a dinner was served in his honor. Along with the department members, his immediate family was in attendance.

 
The Islip Fire Department honors those members who have completed 50 Years of service to the community by awarding the rank of Honorary Chief. Forrest Clock joined the ranks of the Islip Fire Department on April 6, 1959 and became a member of Hook & Ladder Company No. 1. He served as 2nd Lieutenant of the Hook & Ladder Company from 1973-1975, 1st Lieutenant from 1975-1977 and finally Captain from 1977-1979.
 
The Clock family has long been associated with the history of Islip and especially the Fire Department. In fact, Forrest’s Grandfather was a founding member and the first meeting of the Islip Fire Brigade was held in George W. Clock’s house on May 4, 1880. The Officers and members of the Islip Fire Department salute Forrest P. Clock’s for his 50 years of service as well as his family for their support during that time.
 
(Photos by Tom Kaminski)

Just after 0700 hours, on the morning of Saturday, February 21, 2009, the Islip FD recieved a phone alarm for a residential structure fire in the vacinity of Commack Road and the Eastbound Sunrise Highway Service Road. Additional calls received both by Islip and the Islip Terrace Fire Department, reported a garage on fire. Upon the arrival of Engine 3-4-7, Captain Joseph Ferarri transmitted a working fire and corrected the address to 138 Wilson Boulevard. Because it had received calls, the Islip Terrace FD also dispatched units for this alarm.

Engine 3-4-7 secured a hydrant and supplied water to Islip Terrace's engine. Next to arrive was Ladder 3-4-11 and its crew provided a forcabe entry team and laddered the roof. Upon arrival, 1st Assistant Chief Richard Patch established Islip command with Captain Ferarri as the operations officer. Units were met with a well advanced attic fire in an L-shaped single-story, cinder block garage. In short order the fire self vented through the roof. The majority of the fire was in the cockloft. Due to the quick response of Islip and Islip Terrace crews the main portion of the garage was saved and the fire was contained to the cockloft. Islip units made quick work of the fire and overhaul began.

Mutual Aid was provided to the scene by East Islip with a tower Ladder, Bay Shore with an engine that stood by at Islip's headquarters and Exchange Ambulance which provided EMS staging.  Suffolk Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) Coordinator 3-0-5 also assisted at the scene. The Islip Town Fire Marshals office and Suffolk County Police Arson Squad are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Islip units on scene included Chief 3-4-31, Engines 3-4-1 and 3-4-7, Ladder 3-4-11, Truck 3-4-5, Fire Police 3-4-8 and 3-4-10.

TK

(Photos By Jared Gunst)

On the evening of Friday February 20, 2009, the Islip FD responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident on the Southern State Parkway in the vacinity of the Commack Road overpass. Units were advised that the patient was reported to have serious personal injuries and that Suffolk County Police Aviation Bureau was on standby in the event that a MEDEVAC was required. Upon arrival Chief Joseph S. Marino found a 22 year old male critically injured after being struck by a vehicle on the parkway.

Ambulance 3-4-6 arrived and its crew began to treat the male for a major head injury. Islip crews also responded to assist with traffic control. The patient was quickly moved to Exchange Ambulance's unit 3-27-20 and transported to Southside Hospital with Islip FD EMS on board assisting. Unfortuantely, the patient expired at the hospital.

****Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is asked to please contact the New York State Police****

TK

On the morning of Monday January 19th 2009, just around 4 AM the Bay Shore FD was  alerted to another report of a trailer fire in the same trailer park. This fire was reported in an unoccupied trailer located at number 2 Grove Avenue off Mobile Drive. Chief Boucher of Bay Shore again confirmed a working fire and established command.

The Islip FD was immediatly mutual aided to the scene, again for a FAST team. Chief Richard Patch as well as Ladder 3-4-11 quickly answered the mutual aid call. The crew from Islip stood fast while Bay Shore worked the fire.

Islip Firefighter Matt Infante and six others aboard a USAF HH-60G rescue helicopter escaped injury when their helicopter went down near Kabul, Afghanistan, on January 16, 2008. Matt recently deployed to Afghanistan as part of the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing. The Chief’s Office of the Islip Fire Department is happy to report that Matt and his crew are all doing well and looking forward to getting back into the air. Firefighter Infante, who made previous deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, is currently serving as an HH-60G Flight Engineer and in civilian life is a member of the New York City Fire Department.

Just around noon on Saturday January 17th 2009 the Bay Shore FD was activated for a report of a trailer fire at 2 Robin Lane off Mobile Court. Chief Boucher of Bay Shore established command and confirmed a working fire in a trailer with exposure problems. The Islip Fire Dept was immediately called in for a F.A.S.T. team to the scene.
 
Chief Patch along with engine 3-4-1 and Truck 3-4-11 both responded immediately to assist. Bay Shore crews did a fantastic job of stopping this fire from spreading. Islip crews stood by as the F.A.S.T. team as well as assisted with fire ops. Chief Patch was the officer in charge of Islip units on the alarm.
(Photos By Jared Gunst)

On the evening of Christmas Eve, The Islip FD responded to a report of a child with burns from hot water. The crew of the Islip Fire Department Rescue Squad quickly took prehospital care on the child who was suffering from partial and full thickness burns (1st and 2nd degree) as a result from a hot water spill. The child was transported via ambulance to the grounds of the Commack Road Elementary School where a helicopter was waiting from the Suffolk County Police Department to expedite the transport to the Burn Unit at Stony Brook University Hospital.

The Aviation Division the Suffolk County Police Department provides an invaluable service to the residents of Suffolk County and is routinely called upon by the fire service for assistance on a wide array of emergencies.

(Photos By Jared Gunst)

On December 11, 2008 the Ex-Chiefs Association of the Islip Fire Department presented the Islip High School with a check in the amount of $1000.00. The money will benefit needy families at Christmas time and will be used to purchase gift cards for the families of students in the Islip School District.

On the afternoon of Wednesday December 3rd 2008, the Islip FD responded for a report of a vehicle fire on the corner of Buffalo Ave and Orleans St. Ex-Chief Richard Ackerson Sr. was the first to arrive who confirmed an involved auto. Neighbors reported that they were unsure if the vehicle was occupied so Ex-Chief Ackerson took out the drivers window to check for possible victims. Chief Patch then arrived on the scene to assist with a scan for any victims in the car, which proved negative. The vehicles engine compartment was involved which extended to the brush around it.

Engine 3-4-2 was first due who picked up a hydrant and stretched out 2 booster lines. The fire was quickly knocked down only extending to a small area of brush around it.  Islip crews opened up and secured the vehicles. There were no injuries reported at the scene. SCPD notified Islip FD personell that the vehicle was reportedly stolen. Suffolk Arson Squad was requested to the scene for an investigation.

****Anyone who may have info about this incident is asked to call the Suffolk County Arson Squad at 631-852-6150.****

(Photos By Jared Gunst)

On the afternoon of November 5th 2008 the Islip FD was activated to investigate a leaking propane tank at 4 W. Hemlock St, Powerhouse Seal and Coating. Chief Patch was the officer in charge who found an activly leaking 1000 gallon propane tank in the rear of the structure. Incoming Islip engines were instructed to pick up hydrants and lay in with protection lines. Multiple homes and business' were evacuated until the leak could be contained. Islip Fire Police and SCPD closed down Route-111 in both directions near the scene. The leak was contained in under 30 minutes and the area was deemed safe once again. The Islip Town Fire Marshalls office responded along with Islip Town Haz-Mat to ascess the tank. Units on alarm - Chiefs 3-4-31, 3-4-32, Engines 3-4-1, 3-4-2, 3-4-9, Truck 3-4-5, Fire Police 3-4-10