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RESOURCES
Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce offers links and info. Kings Park Cares - Community Rallies to Send Relief to WTC Volunteers
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September 19, 2001 After the walls of the World Trade Center, and the hearts of people all over the world, crashed to the ground on September 11, Long Island Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel proved that their compassion doesn't end at the county line. Some of the quickest to respond to the need for assistance in this monumental tragedy, Suffolk County law enforcement and emergency services volunteers offered both equipment and manpower to the rescue and recovery efforts. An estimated 1000 volunteer fire fighters and EMS workers from virtually all of Suffolk's districts Suffolk County's Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Dave Fischler said that the county has a total of 109 fire departments and 27 emergency medical services agencies. Of that total, 81 fire departments were involved in the rescue efforts in some way and 12 of the EMS agencies also participated. In addition Of the equipment and experts contributing to the effort many related to technical rescue operations including people trained in building collapse, and trench rescue. They also sent in light trucks for use by the Police Department and the FBI to control intersections and lights on the southern tip of Manhattan. Fischler said the personnel were involved in first aid and technical issues. EMS volunteers were sent to a staging area in Queens and some of the fire apparatus went to the site. On the first day they mostly covered for the fire houses in Queens whose own personnel were called to service in Manhattan. "We have had a commitment since this started that we have had a presence on the site," said Fischler. "We have two people assigned to the command center and people assigned to the fire and police command post." Fischler said there were no injuries reported to the teams assisting in the rescue efforts and no significant damage to any of the equipment. Melville Fire Chief James Milazzo said his department sent an ambulance and a ladder truck to the scene along with the personnel to man the equipment. The Melville Volunteer Fire Department has 105 members of which 15 are also New York City Firemen. The department is coordinating its efforts with the NYC Office of Emergency Management. "Thankfully, none of our people were injured," said Milazzo. "And we were still completely functional for emergencies here." The East Farmingdale Fire Department volunteers served their neighbors during the first two days after the initial collapse and fire as well. East Farmingdale's light truck and its tactical rescue team served in three shifts of six people per crew. The department consists of 125 members, including EMS services. "In the beginning all we had [to protect breathing] was the small white mask," said Chief James Napolitano, himself a recently retired New York City policeman. "The asbestos and concrete dust was choking. By the second day we got better masks, but we will be keeping an eye on everyone to make sure there are no long term Although there were no specific injuries or deaths to the East Farmingdale contingent, they have nonetheless been direct witnesses to the overwhelming sorrow of individuals who have lost loved ones in the tragedy. The district is the location of acres upon acres of cemeteries, including both military and religious cemeteries, and attending a funeral is now a daily procedure for members of this department. They bring two ladder trucks with a flag draped between them to honor the processions. On Wednesday alone they attended three funerals. Napolitano said none of his members has expressed a specific need for emotional assistance in the aftermath of the disaster, but added that they have all been made aware of counseling centers set up by the county. The counseling centers are in Melville, Holbrook, and Center Moriches. "The only difference between Nassau and Suffolk and the city firemen now is that we don't get a salary," said Napolitano. "We have to do all of the same things they do." Even so, their dedication keeps them on the job. The volunteers have to be restrained from additional service at this point, given orders not to go in to Manhattan because the effort has been reorganized to include iron workers and construction workers. Napolitano said, "Everyone still wants to go in and help. I have to hold them back." Click
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Rushed to the Rescue