On November 7th, 1014, with severe drought conditions and wildland fire progressing from coast to coast, the Greenwood Lake Fire Department, FDNY, and those agencies along the New York – New Jersey border, suddenly found themselves in a large scale battle to save life and property at the Jennings Creek wildland fire.
With calls for help reaching as far as Long Island, it was clear East Meadow volunteers would be one of the first to accept the challenge.
Within hours, East Meadow Chiefs were filled calls from our volunteers requesting to make the 1.5 hour trip.
At 4:30 am on Thursday November 14th, the first line of defense from East Meadow hit the road as Engine 614, two additional vans of firefighters, and Asst Chief Jeffey Rosenthal joined the long Island convoy.
No sooner did they arrive at Jennings Creek, they were pressed into action to protect an iconic three story home just off the lake and in the path of the inferno now threatening this, and several other homes.
Quickly East Meadow firefighters moved into action stretching attack lines up the steep rocky terrain to engage the fire.
The deployment was a success as several homes were saved, including the three story home targeted for the protection with an Engine 4 attack.
Then, on Monday November 18th, requests for additional help came into Long Island. The East Meadow Fire Department again answered the call without hesitation sending Engine 614 with another full crew of 17 firefighters led by 1st Asst Chief Michael Wood.
By the end on the week, the fire destroying more than 5,000 acres, was contained to within 85% as weather some became a favorable factor with heavy rains in the forecast.
Seen on several TV news agencies, were our East Meadow firefighters climbing the steep rocky hills of a 500 foot mountainside to meet up with the fire before it could reach any homes, at times battling the flames, other times assisting in preparing fire breaks in hopes of gaining the upper hand.
Not alone in this battle, the EMFD was part of a contingent from Long Island, as Nassau and Suffolk fire crews joined forces at points in the battle.
It’s been a busy few weeks for East Meadow volunteers with a working house fire, a full involved garage fire with hazardous materials, and a minor house fire resulting in the first engine connecting to a fire hydrant, soon to find the fire was less serious.
Congratulations to all East Meadow’s volunteers from those battling the wildland fire to those who stayed back to handle all our alarms in town.
Your efforts, both home and afar, once again demonstrated the expertise, dedication, and true commitment to protecting lives and saving property.
STORY: John J. O’Brien Sr PHOTOS: Kevin Madigan [email protected]
