Daylight Savings Time ends on November 6th 2011, the West Sayville Fire Department wants to remind you to change your batteries in your smoke detector.

Every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires.  Over half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am, when residents are typically sleeping. Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames.  Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious.  The majority of fire victims die or are injured from exposure to smoke and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, not actual burns.  In addition, smoke obscures vision, decreasing your ability to escape.

Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents, allowing crucial time to escape.  The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home that has working smoke alarms.

Dial "911" only for life-threatening emergencies. Do not dial "911" for information.
Dial "852-COPS"  for non-emergency police calls in Suffolk County.

Residents should be advised to be prepared with flashlights, drinking water, and non-perishable food supplies; fill bathtubs with water in case of water supply disruptions (to flush toilets), and secure their properties (tie down loose items). 

All south of Sunrise Hwy should be prepared to evacuate to centers that will be advertised if necessary (pack a few essentials).  A portable radio with replacement batteries would also be a good idea.

Despite a five point deficit after the opening contest and a preceding string of second and third place tournament finishes following a win at the season’s opener, the West Sayville Fire Department Flying Dutchmen Drill Team demonstrated their prowess for winning by rebounding to capture an unprecedented eleventh New York State Motorized Championship title on August 20, 2011 at Central Islip (Click here for full press release)

On August 1st at 10:30 hrs the West Sayville Fire Department was activated for a reported structure fire at #30 Tyler Avenue located just blocks from their headquarters. Upon arrival of Chief of Department Joseph Schroeder smoke was visible from the second floor of the residence. Apparently a contractor was working on the structure when he accidentally cut through an electrical component starting the fire. First arriving engines were directed to lay 5” supply lines to the fire building and hand lines were deployed to the second floor under the direction of Assistant Chief Robert Doucet. Automatic Mutual Aid was already enroute from the Sayville FD as per pre planned  protocol. High heat and humidity weather conditions necessitated numerous mutual aids from the Bohemia, East Islip, Holbrook, Bayport and Islip Terrace Fire Departments. Lakeland Fire department was requested to stand by at West Sayville‘s main. With conditions deteriorating rapidly inside, interior attack lines were ordered out of the building.  West Sayville’s Tower Ladder 5 was set up directly in front of the location and provided a master stream directly into the second floor fire location making for a quick knock down of the main body of fire. Hand lines were then able to re-enter the building to attack the remaining fire. Numerous firefighters were rehabbed by the Sayville Community Ambulance Company with one West Sayville firefighter being transported to Southside Hospital for observation. Suffolk County Police Arson was requested to the scene as is standard practice with incidents similar to this. National Grid and LIPA were also requested to the scene to shut power to the location. (Pictures) (Story & photos by Ex-Chief H. D'Onofrio)

On June 25th 2011 the West Sayville Fire Department was activated for a boat fire at the West Sayville Boat Basin at the end of Atlantic Ave. Upon arrival of 2nd Assistant Chief Lucus Domingo it was confirmed that there was a boat in the water with a fully involved cabin fire. Command was established by Chief of Department Joseph Schroeder and the first due engine stretched a 1 3/4 and started to extinguished the fire. Once the fire was knocked down several inspection holes were cut. Portable pumps were used to remove the water that was used to ensure the boat did not sink from the weight. Assistance was provided by Sayville FD (boat), Bohemia FD and the Sayville Community Ambulance.

The perennial season opening firematic competitive drill has typically been hosted by the Lindenhurst Fire Department. This year was no different with the host conducting its fifty-first running of the Long Island Invitational Parade and Drill on Saturday, June 4, at the department’s training facility off of Wellwood Avenue. Also unchanged, so it seems, was the winner of the annual tournament which turned out to be the Flying Dutchmen drill team of the West Sayville Fire Department, their fifth consecutive year of doing so.  The experienced team piled up thirty-two points in the eight contests competed against twenty-one other volunteer fire departments from throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties giving them an easy twelve point edge over the second place Yellow Hornets from Hempstead. (Read More)

The West Sayville Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 139 Rollstone Avenue, West Sayville, at approximately 10:15 pm on Sunday, May 29, 2011.  The fire was discovered by residents who had just returned home from an evening out.  Upon arrival Chief Schroeder found the homeowner armed with a fire extinguisher and attempting to locate the family dog, which was still on the second floor of the house (the dog soon exited the building by the front door).  Upon entry to the building I found the first floor charged with smoke and heat and fire consuming the interior staircase to the basement. See full story and pictures here

On Sunday May 29th, West Sayville FD beat The Sayville FD in the annual Memorial Day softball game by the score of 27 - 5. This is the 5th meeting between the two teams. West Sayville is leading the series 3 - 2. This year the game was played at the Broadway Ave fields in Sayville. (in the picture is both West Sayville and Sayville FDs)

On Friday, May 6th at 14;19 hours the West Sayville Fire Department was dispatched to a report of an overturned gasoline tanker on the Sunrise Highway Service Road, Eastbound at Locust Avenue in Oakdale. First arriving Assistant Chief Robert Doucet, verified an overturned 9000 gallon gasoline tanker, leaking heavy amounts of gasoline. West Sayville Engines 3-10-1 and 3-10-8 were ordered to pick up nearby hydrants to secure a water supply. Heavy Rescue 3-10-3 was directed to start laying down speedy dry in an attempt to slow down the flow of gasoline into the sewers. See full story and pictures here.

The West Sayville Fire Department Flying Dutchmen Racing Team has been selected by the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame to receive their "Special Recognition Award" for 2011. The Flying Dutchmen were selected for their impressive 10 State Championship wins. The team has won the State Tournament in 1975, 1977, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009. This is the most State Championship wins by any Fire Department Drill Team. The award will be present at the annual Induction Ceremonies & Dinner on May 3rd 2011.

On March 5th 2011 WSFD was activated for a MVA Heavy Rescue near the intersection of Montauk Hwy and Oakdale Bohemia Road. Upon arrival of 1st assistant Chief Doucet it was confirmed that one vehicle was on its side with the occupant still inside. Suffolk County Police ESU was on scene and began extrication of the occupant. Rescue 3 arrived on scene shortly after and assisted SCPD in removal of the roof. The occupant was removed and was transported by Sayville community Ambulance to a near by hospital. See pictures here

On February 20th 2011 at approximately 8:35am the West Sayville Fire Department was activated for a structure fire on Van Bomel Blvd in Oakdale. Upon arrival of 3rd assistant Chief Gray it was confirmed that there was fire that had extended from the fireplace into the walls. Upon arrival of the engine crews a 1" 3/4 line was stretched and the truck crews began to open the walls. The fire had worked its way from the first floor to an attic area above the garage. The fire was quickly extinguished but due to the fact the fire had traveled in the walls extensive overhaul was done.Assistance was provided by Bohemia, East Islip and Sayville Fire Department. Sayville Community Ambulance was also on Scene. See additional pictures

On February 19th 2011 at approximately 1:35am the West Sayville Fire Department was activated for a structure fire in the vicinity of Cherry ave and Easy St. Upon arrival of Chief Schroeder it was confirmed that the fire was in a trailer that was park in a work area in the field next to the FAA fields. The fire was quickly extinguish and all units were back within an hour.

On February 15th 2011 the West Sayville Fire Department welcomed Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy to our Headquarters to deliver his 2011 State of the County Address. This marks the first time that the address was given from a fire department in Suffolk County. In attendance were Elected Official, various News outlets and approximately 300 residents of Suffolk County.

A local rest home resident familiar to most members of the community was reported missing on Sunday, February 13, 2011.  The elderly man had been missing since approximately 5 pm on Saturday, February 12, 2011.  A silver alert was issued by the Suffolk County Police at approximately 12:30 pm on Sunday. Due to his frequent travels across vast areas of the region, it was possible that the missing man could be almost anywhere.  When a member of the West Sayville Fire Department notified Chief Schroeder of the alert, he issued a notice to Department members to be on the lookout.  

Following a lead offered by the missing person's family, the West Sayville Fire Department was activated at, 4:07 pm to search the heavily wooded area of the former FAA property between Cherry Avenue and Locust Avenue, now maintained by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.  Under the direction of Chief Schroeder, elements of the Department began searching the area of approximately 79 acres with four-wheel-drive vehicles.  Due to the heavy snow cover still present in that area, mutual aid assistance was requested from the Sayville Fire Department for their six-wheel-drive GI brush truck.  As Suffolk County PD was arranging for K-9 and Aviation units to provide assistance, one of West Sayville's crews found the missing person - sitting under a tree and in good spirits.  The somewhat dazed man stated that he had fallen and could not get up so he dragged himself under a tree where there was no snow.  Due to the duration of time that he had been exposed to the elements, the crew requested EMS be dispatched for assistance.  The patient was removed from the wooded area by the West Sayville Brush Unit and care was transferred to Community Ambulance Company.  It appeared that since he was dressed in many layers of warm clothing hypothermia might have been averted.  Members of Community Ambulance transported him to an area hospital for evaluation.  At approximately 7:30 pm the Department was notified by family members that the missing person was at home and resting comfortably.

Congratulations to the new Chief of Department Joseph Schroeder. Chief Schroeder was sworn in on Jan. 7th 2011. The Chief has been an active member of the West Sayville Fire Department for the past 21 years. In that time he has served as Engine Company 1 Lieutenant, Captain and Department Training Officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The West Sayville Junior Fire Department hosted it first ever breakfast with Santa this past Sunday. If you were looking to beat the long lines at the mall for a visit with Santa, then the breakfast was the way to go and you also got great pancakes. Click here for additional story and pictures.

On Dec. 16th 2010 at approx. 3:26 pm once again West Sayville got called to Dowling College Dorms for a fire in the laundry room. Upon arrival of 2nd assistant Chief Doucet he transmitted smoke showing which activated the automatic mutual aid. The fire was contained to the laundry room. Assistance was provided by Bayport, Bohemia and East Islip fire departments. One patient was transport by Sayville Community ambulance for smoke inhalation.

On Dec. 6th 2010 WSFD was activated for a MVA Heavy Rescue at the intersection of Sunrise Hwy. and Smithtown Ave. Upon arrival of 3rd assistant Chief Domingo it was confirm that the Driver's side door had to be opened using the Hurst tool. The driver was removed and transported to the hospital by Sayville Community Ambulance. See pictures here

The West Sayville Junior Fire Dept took 2nd place at this years Annual Bohemia FD Holiday Parade. This year the Juniors modeled their float after the Christmas song Grandma got run over by a Reindeer. The Juniors and members of the fire dept put in countless hours working on the float. Their hard work and dedication paid off.

The West Sayville FD responded to a report of a vehicle fire on the Sunrise Highway service road at Sycamore Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 14:14hrs. Upon arrival of Ass't Chief Robert Doucet it was discovered to be a Gershow Flatbed with numerous scrap vehicles on the trailer. At least three of the vehicles were on fire initially. See pictures and full story here

WSFD was activated for a structure fire at approx. 9:00 pm on Nov. 7th 2010. Upon arrival, the first chief confirmed that the house was fully involved with extension to the garage and two cars in the driveway. Assistance was provided from the Bayport, Bohemia, East Islip and Sayville fire departments and Sayville Community Ambulance. See pictures here

West Sayville volunteer firefighters and their families gathered mid-afternoon on Saturday, October 2, 2010 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the West Sayville-Oakdale Fire District’s Station 1 on Montauk Highway in Oakdale. Read More