When we look back at 2021, we will always remember the resurgence of the Covid-19 Pandemic, its Delta variant in the early part of the year, and the more contagious Omicron variant at the end and now into 2022.
2021 was likely the busiest combined effort of EMS and Fire responses in our Department’s history.
It would be a year with more serious fires than most years.
In the 12 months from January 1 to December 31st the E.M.F.D. responded to nearly 1,500 emergencies.
Fire crews trained hard all year, and it showed, with several good stops on fires that could have been much more devastating.
In total, the E.M.F.D. responded to (8) Signal 10s (Working Fires), and (5) Signal 98’s (Visible Fire/Smoke prompting the order for 1st pumper on scene to connect to a hydrant and stretch attack hose lines. The most concernable fires included a Fire in the stores on Carman Avenue. Once E.M.F.D. volunteers cut through the heavy smoke, the fire was located in a laundromat where it was quickly confined before destroying the entire row of attached stores.
On May 6, 2021, E.M.F.D. volunteers were alerted to a house fire on Seventh Street. As first due East Meadow fire companies were arriving on scene, propane tanks began to exploded. A close call for the members on scene. All came home safely.
The balance of fires were in the homes of our neighbors. It can be said that, in each fire, although damage was significant in the room(s) of origin, the quick response and aggressive attack made a difference at each fire. There were firefighter injuries along the way, with all being minor in nature. Thank you to all E.M.F.D. volunteers for all your hard work in this midst of a Pandemic in keeping our community safe…
STORY: John J. O’Brien Sr
