Board of Fire Commissioners Weather the Ongoing Snowstorm

While the wintry mix of rain and sleet caused the streets of New Hyde Park to freeze over outside, the and their chiefs hunkered down inside the Jericho Turnpike headquarters Tuesday evening to assess the weather-related damage.

The repeated snow storms have taken their toll on the district. Estate 173 lost a chimney cap to the elements and the board was required to vote "yes" on a motion to purchase a replacement. 

That is just the tip of the iceberg. 

“We are going through a lot of salt,” said Commissioner John Brown.

Minor accidents due to the icy and narrow roads have caused damage to several department vehicles. The board and chiefs determined that most of the damage can be easily buffed out, but the main concern was how to handle the drivers. Drivers involved in accidents are normally placed on an automatic 30-day suspension but there will be exceptions made due to the extenuating circumstances at hand.

The narrow roads are causing calamity for the trucks not only due to the lack of maneuvering space but because the hydrants alongside them are largely buried under the dense snow build-up and digging them out “takes precious time,” according to newly elected Chief John Willers. Although residents tend to make it a priority to dig out the space around their local hydrants, it is not a mandatory practice enforced by the Village code officers.

While digging out the hydrants is an issue, first the firefighters must find them. The Firecom alarm system displays the general locations of hydrants in the vicinity of fires but does not offer a pinpoint. That being the case, the chiefs are in the process of requesting that the Nassau Water District put up tall flag markers at the hydrants to help the responders save time looking for them.

Willers noted that the district spends $800,000 a year on hydrant maintenance and should not have to pay extra for the placement of flag markers.

As the district battles its way through the harsh winter, they also focus on planning the Annual Installation Dinner taking place in April at Bethpage’s Carlyle on the Green. In addition to being a ceremony for installing new officers, “it is a nice little thank you to members who continue to get up in the middle of the night and leave dinners and family behind to go fight fire,” Willers stated.

There will be dinner, dancing and awards given to those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This year, there are three 50-year members being recognized for their service.