On October 29, 2024 at 9:37 AM, East Meadow Fire Communications alerted all 7 companies to a “Bedroom Fire” on Cadillac Drive.
By 09:39 Chief James Walsh and 3rd Asst Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal were enroute.
At 09:40 Asst Chief Rosenthal arrived on the scene announcing smoking showing at the front door. Chief Walsh arrived at the same time radioing a Signal 98, then immediately upgrading the alarm to a Signal 10 (Re-alert for a Working Fire, Initiates an automatic mutual aid plan).
As Chief Rosenthal geared up for the firefight, Chief Walsh immediately began his sized up of the fire, soon radioing that an occupant was trapped inside.
In the minutes that followed, all East Meadow Fire Companies were on the road.
Chief Walsh, making his way up the stairs to the 2nd floor came upon a resident at the top of the stairs. He brought her down to the first floor where he was met by a fully equipped Chief Rosenthal, and the two brought the resident out to safety.
First Due Engine 614 now arrived on the scene, connected to a fire hydrant and rushed (2) attack hose lines to the front door as Ladder 619 arrived, followed by the balance of East Meadow’s first alarm assignment.
Within 10 minutes of the hose stretch all visible fire had been knocked down, as more fire apparatus and crews flooded the street.
The fire was confined to one bedroom, with residual smoke damage on the 2nd floor.
The resident was transported to the Nassau University Medical Center where she was undergoing treatment for smoke inhalation and lacerations.
Mutual Aid responses came from the Levittown FD, North Bellmore FD, and North Merrick FD.
The cause of the fire was place into the hands of the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate.
If not for the quick response of our Chiefs and volunteers, this fire could have had a different outcome.
In all, 51 East Meadow volunteers responded to the fire, with another 15 volunteers from the mutual aid response who either reported to the fire as a Rapid Intervention Team, or covered the empty East Meadow Stations.
There were no EMFD injuries.
STORY: John J. O’Brien Sr PHOTOS: Kevin Madigan
