The month of May 2024 without question, will be one of the busiest months in recent years, as the volunteers of the East Meadow Fire Department ran the gamut of all type of fires and other emergencies. All this, amid the extensive work going on with fund drive details, Memorial Day preparations, standbys for the Bethpage Air Show, several extensive extrication trainings and preparation for the upcoming World Cricket games soon to be hosted here in East Meadow.
Busy was an under-statement as East Meadow Chiefs, firefighters, and EMTs responded to more than 155 alarms in 31 days with everything from gas leaks, to car fires, EMS calls, house fires, building fires, elevator emergencies, carbon monoxide emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, mutual aids, and more.
Of the most serious, on May 4th at 5:42am, East Meadow FD Engines 3, Ladder Heavy Rescue 616, and Rescue 5, along with the Nassau County Emergency Service Unit and State Police responded to a motor vehicle accident on the Wantagh State parkway where a vehicle struck the Newbridge Road bridge. One person died in that accident.
Also on May 4th at 6:25pm, The East Meadow FD and Nassau County Police Ambulance Bureau and Emergency Service Units responded to a motor vehicle accident with overturn at the intersection of at Bellmore Ave and Barbara Lane. On person had to be extricated from the overturned vehicle and was transported to NUMC with non life threatening injuries.
On May 5th at 12:12pm, East Meadow volunteers responded to a working house fire on Polo Lane. The fast and large response of fire companies made for a quick knock down of that fire making difference in saving the home.
On May 8th at 2:34 pm, East Meadow FD Engines 1, 2, Heavy Rescue 616, and Rescue 5 responded to an overturned tractor trailer on the Meadowbrook State Parkway at the Stewart Avenue overpass.
On May 10th, Units from Engine 3, Ladder 2, and Rescue 5 responded to another vehicle that struck a bridge, this time at the Hempstead Tpke overpass.
On May 12th Stations 3, 4, and Ladders 1 and 2, were alerted to a House Fire on Rita Drive. First arriving chiefs were confronted with a heavy smoke condition from a dryer fire that has extended into the ceiling. Hose lines were stretched but little water was used as firefighters soon learned the homeowner made valiant effort to hold the fire in check until EMFD arrived.
On May 23rd, while Ladder 1 was out on an elevator emergency, a 2nd emergency was reported in the same development. Members of Ladder 1 then responded to the medical emergency just blocks away and assisted the ambulance crew with a patient in cardiac arrest.
On May 30th, Engines 2, 3, and Ladder 2, responded to a working car fire at 5th street and Newbridge Road. Just 4 hours later Engines 3, 4, Ladder 2 responded and extinguished another working car fire at CVS on Hempstead Tpke.
All this, amid a dozens of other alarms requiring the assistance of East Meadow firefighters and EMTS.
Our volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the month. Nice job to the men and women of the East Meadow Fire Department.
STORY & Story: John J. O’Brien Sr
