On August 16 the Islip Fire Department’s Wolves Drill Team won the New York State Motorized Drill in Main Transit, New York and became the State Champions. Beating the New Hyde Park Termites by just 1.5 points, the Wolves turned in their best times of the year in five events including B Ladder, B Hose, C Hose, Motor Pump and Buckets. The win marks the second time in six years that the Wolves have taken the title and the sixth in the team's history. Islip first participated in drill competitions as early as 1886 but the team's modern history is traced to 1946 when it was formally organized. The Wolves won their first State Championship in 1947 and five more titles followed in 1959, 1961, 1965 and 2003. The Islip Fire Department celebrated the team's victory on August 18 with a parade that circled Islip Town Hall and ran through the hamlet.   Wolves Results NYS Motorized Drill B Ladder           5.03 seconds     1st Place           5 points C Hose             12.45 seconds   2nd Place          4 points B Hose             7.87 seconds     1st Place           5 points Efficiency          9.42 seconds     3rd Place*         2.5 points Motor Pump      5.80 seconds     1st Place           5 points Buckets            21.26 seconds   2nd Place          4 points Overall Score                           1st Place          25.5 points                     * Tied with Westbury Turtles

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Special Thanks to our friends from the West Sayville Flying Dutchmen drill team for creating this video.

On the afternoon of July 19th at approximately 1430 hours, the Islip FD and Exchange Ambulance of the Islips were activated for an MVA with a report of a subject trapped at the intersection of Spur Drive South and Saxon Avenue. Chief Joseph S. Marino was the first to arrive who found a 1 vehicle MVA involving a car into a tree with a female trapped.

Rescue 3-4-14 arrived soon after and began extrication while ems stabilized the patient. The patient was removed within 15 minutes by removing the passenger door. Exchange EMS transported the patient to Southside Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Chief Joseph S. Marino was the officer in Charge.
(Photos by Jared Gunst)

On the evening of June 8th at 18:51 hours the Islip FD was activated for a reported commercial structure fire across from 72 Brook St between Commack Rd and Milton St. Chief Joseph S Marino quickly responded and was notified by Suffolk County Fire-Com Dispatch, that multiple calls were coming in reporting a fire at Eddies Deli at 74 Brook St. Fire-Com also advised Chief Marino that the neighboring structure is being threatend by fire as well. Chief Marino was the first to arrive and advised dispatch of a 15x25 structure with fire in the rear and heavy smoke showing throughout. Chief Marino immediatly requested a reactivation for a working structure fire. Chief Marino also requested a second assignment mutual aid response, bringing mutual aid to the scene for two truck companies, one engine company and one ambulance from neighboring departments Asst. Chiefs Patch and Asst. Chief Stenger arrived soon after who geared up and went to work as operations officers. Engine 347 was the first to arrive who picked up a hydrant down the street and layed in with attack lines. Truck crews began to open up to ventilate the structure. Apon forcing entry to the door on the 2-3 corner the fire flashed over with heavy fire now impinging on the structure next to the fire building. Chief Marino then requested an upgrade to a third assignment mutual aid response, advising that additional companies are needed to check for fire extension of the secondary strucutre. The crew of Engine 347 made entry with a 2 and 1/2 inch handline. A second line was stretched to the front of the structure to back up the primary line. Islip crews made quick work of the fire saving the secondary structure while containing the fire to only the deli. Searches were conducted throughout both structures and proved negative as all occupants were able to exit without assistance. The fire was quickly knocked down and ventilation and overhaul began. Fire damage to the deli was extensive however the secondary strucure sustained only some fire damage as the fire that extended to the dwelling was contained to the exterior. LIPA and Keyspan utilities were requested by Islip command to cut the utilities to the structures Mutual Aid was provided at the scene by the East Islip FD with 2 engines and 1 truck, Bay Shore FD for 2 Engines and 1 truck, Islip Terrace for 1 engine and 1 tuck, Exchange Ambulance for 2 ambulances and 1 MCI truck, East Brentwood FD for 1 Ambulance and Sayville Community Ambulance for 1 Ambulance. The Islip FD had a very large response which included Engine 3-4-1, Ambulance 3-4-3, Truck 3-4-5, Enine 3-4-7, Fire Police Unit 3-4-8, Fire Police Unit 3-4-10, Ladder 3-4-11, Chiefs 3-4-30, 3-4-31, and 3-4-32. Fire coordinators 3-0-3 and 3-0-5 assisted with command at the scene. The SCPD arson squad and Islip Town Fire Marshals office are currently investigating the cause of the fire believed to be related to a lightning strike. Two Islip firefighters were transported to the hospital from the scene, one for burns to the knees and one for heat exaustion. Both firefighters were treated and released. (Photos By Jared Gunst)JM

At 0151 hours on June 6th 2008, the Islip FD recieved a direct call for a report of a fire in appartment 1R at 40 Manitton Ct between Nassau Ave and Islip Ave. Chiefs Marino and Patch quickly went enroute and were notified by Suffolk FRES Dispatch that multiple calls were coming in for this fire as well as reports of occupants trapped. Soon after SCPD arrived on the scene and reported a working fire. Chief Joseph S Marino arrived on the scene declaring a working fire in an OMD as well as he established Islip command in the parking lot of the Ocanee diner. Immediatly a 2nd assignment mutual aid plan was requested bringing mutual aid to the scene for two truck companies, one engine company and one ambulance from neighboring departments. Chief Patch assumed the duty of Islip Operations officer who made entry to the fire appartment. He was met with a mattress and box spring involved with extention onto the wall. Engine 3-4-1 was the first engine to arrive who picked up a hydrant on Islip Avenue and laying in 1 attack line to the 2nd floor bedroom. The crew from 3-4-1 made quick work of the fire saving the main portion of the appartment as well as saved all neighboring appartments. Primary searches were quickly conducted and found to be negative. Truck company crews utalized ground ladders to ascend to the roof and check for extention. Islip crews opened up the wall in the fire room finding that no extention traveled into the wall. The fire was quickly placed under control. Mutual aid companies were quickly released from the scene and put back into service. Mutual Aid was provided by the Islip Terrace Fire Department for 1 Truck, East Islip Fire Department for 1 engine, Bay Shore Fire Department for 1 Truck, and the Exchange Ambulance for 1 Ambulance. The Islip town Fire Marshalls office as well as the LIPA responded for assistance at the scene. Suffolk County Fire Coordinator FC-3 also responded and assisted Islip command. Units on the alarm were Engines 3-4-1, 3-4-7, 3-4-9, Ladder 3-4-11, Fire Police Units 3-4-8 and 3-4-10, Chiefs 3-4-30, 3-4-31, East Islip Engine 3-5-1, Chief 3-5-31, Bay Shore Ladder 3-1-4, Chiefs 3-1-30, 3-1-31, 3-1-32, Islip Terrace Ladder 3-6-6, as well as Exchange Ambulance chief 3-27-30 and ambulance 3-27-17. (Photos By Jared Gunst)

The Islip Fire Department held its annual Memorial Day Services on the apron of its headquarters at 28 Monell Avenue on Monday May 26. The service honored the memory of Chaplain Stanley Macholz and Senior Privilege Member Claire Kube who both passed away during 2007. (Photos by Michael Maio)

On the afternoon of Saturday, May 24th at 15:07 hours the Islip FD received a call reporting a shed on fire in the vicinity of Grant Avenue and Union Blvd. Responding chiefs were advised that a second call reported a fire involving a detached multi-car garage. Chief Patch (3-4-31), who was the first to arrive was met with heavy smoke showing from a four-bay, 45 x 15 foot detached garage to the rear of 90 Grant Avenue. Upon arrival Chief Marino (3-4-30) established Islip command in front of the building and upgraded the alarm to a working fire and requested a "Single Assigment" mutual aid response, which brings in one Engine and one Ambulance from neighboring departments. Islip crews forced entry to the structure while first due engine 3-4-1 secured a hydrant. Two hand lines were placed into operation and engine crews made quick work of the fire, while the truck crews ventilated the roof. The fire which was contained to the cockloft area over a single bay of the garage and although one car was in the garage, damage to the vehicle was minimal. Mutual aid response included a single ambulance provided by Exchange Ambulance of the Islips and one engine supplied by the East Islip Fire Department. The fire was declared under control within approximately 30 minutes. Islip units were assisted by fire coordinators 3-0-5 (Robert Hulse) and FC-35 (Paul Lobell). Islip units were clear from the scene within the hour. Chief Joseph S. Marino was in command of the alarm and 1st Chief Richard Patch assumed the duties of Operations Officer. - TK (Photos By Jared Gunst)

The Islip Fire Department held its 127th Annual Dinner and Installation of Officers on Saturday May 17, 2008. The event was held at The Bayview House at Captain Bill's in Bay Shore, New York. (Photos by Tom Kaminski)

The Islip Fire Department marked Honorary Chief William "Ike" Pletka's 60 years of service during its monthly meeting on April 21 by presenting him with his service stripes. Ike, who is a member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 joined the Islip Fire Department on April 5, 1948. He was awarded Honorary Chief status upon celebrating his 50th Anniversary in 1998. (Photo by Tom Kaminski)

On the evening of May 4th at 21:25 hours the Islip FD was activated for a residential structure fire at 82 Whitman Avenue with a cross street of Harvard Street. Suffolk County Fire Rescue Communications reported that the occupant stated house was on fire and further advised all occupants were out of the house. Chief Joseph Marino arriving first was met with a two-story wood frame Cape Cod style, two-family dwelling with fire self venting from the second floor window. Chief Marino requested the alarm to be upgraded to a working fire and requested a second assignment mutual aid response, which brings requests two truck companies, one engine company and one ambulance from neighboring departments. Captain Joseph Ferrari led first due Engine 3-4-9, to first secure a water source and then stretched two handlines to the second floor. Islip crews were met with a well advanced fire on the second floor of the house Truck companies opened up the walk to ensure fire had not extended into hidden areas. Overhaul crews went to work to open up and check for extension beyond the fire floor,but found that the fire had been contained to a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom all on the second floor. Mutual aid was provided by the Brentwood FD for one ladder truck, designated as a F.A.S.T. Team, the Bay Shore Fire Department for one Engine, as well as the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips for one ambulance to standby at the scene. The Islip FD response included three engines, two trucks, a fire police unit and two chiefs with 1st Assistant Chief Richard Patch serving as the Interior Operations Officer. The Islip Fire Marshalls office is currently investigating the fire which was believed to be started by an unattended candle on the second floor. - TK (Photos By Jared Gunst)

Armed Forces Day (May 17) is a time that was set aside in 1949 to thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. This year the Islip Fire Department salutes Firefighter Tyree Bacon who is presently serving in Iraq as a member of the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at Kirkuk Regional Air Base around 150 miles north of Baghdad. Master Sgt Bacon is the third member of the Islip Fire Department to be called to active duty for our country since the terror attacks of 2001. Ty, who is a member of the Islip Fire Department’s Hook & Ladder Company No. 1, is assigned to the Emergency Services Flight of the Air Force Reserve Command’s 514th Civil Engineer Squadron at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter with the East Islip Fire Department.

On the evening of Monday April 28th the Islip FD started the 1st of a multi day drill in a vacant dwelling on the corner of Hemlock St and Wilson Blvd. The house was donated for training because there will be 2 new houses constructed on the property. Units 3-4-9, 3-4-5, and 3-4-8 operated. The drill involved smoking out the 2 story private dwelling and sending crews in to rescue fallen firefighers as part of Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST) training. This FAST Teams are also known as Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT). Multiple evolutions were conducted and Islip firefighters will now be more prepared in the event of a real firefighting emergency. Islip units will revisit the donated house for additional training before it is demolished. (Photos By Jared Gunst)

At 19:20 hours on Thursday April 24th an Islip firefighter pulled up on an MVA that involved a car which had gone through a fence and struck a tree at the intersections of Saxon Avenue and Spur Drive South. He immediately advised Islip FD dispatch of the alarm. Chief Joseph Marino arrived on the scene along with Engine 3-4-7 and ambulance 3-4-3 to assist. One female was assesed at the scene and refused medical treatment. Islip crews secured the fence and were released at 19:44 hours. - TK (Photos By Jared Gunst)

On the evening of April 24th at 23:10 hours the Bay Shore FD was activated for a reported structure fire across from 1364 5th Ave near the intersection with Joseph Street. Bay Shore Chief 3-1-30 arrived and was met with heavy fire through the roof of a vacant two-story private dwelling. At 23:15 hours the Islip FD was activated to provide one engine to standby at Bay Shore FD headquarters. At 23:29 engine 3-4-7 was redirected by the authority of Bay Shore Command to the scene to act as the Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST). Chiefs 3-4-30 and 3-4-31 also responded. All Islip units were returned to service by 00:30 hours. (Photos By Jared Gunst)

The Tactical Rescue team thanked Ms. Jenna Young for her assistance with the design of the team's new patch at its monthly meeting on April 8, 2008. Team Captain Frank Slavik presented Jenna with a mounted patch as well as a certificate of appreciation for her efforts. (Photo by Tom Kaminski)

Throughout the first three months of 2008, the Islip Fire Department has responded to 328 alarms comprising 136 fires and 192 EMS (or rescue) calls. March has thus far been the busiest month for 2008, with a total of 132 alarms. Included are 18 mutual aid calls in support of our neighboring departments. The alarms break down as follows: Brush Fire (Signal 12) - 3 Structure Fire (Signal 13) - 3 Vehicle Fire (Signal 14) - 2 Rescue/EMS (Signal 16) - 66 Miscellaneous Alarm (Signal 23) - 40 Mutual Aids (Signal 24) Structure Fire (Signal 24/13) - 10 Motor Vehicle Accident (Signal 24/16MVA) - 1 Rescue/EMS (Signal 24/16) - 6 Water Rescue (Signal 24/23) - 1