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Crime & Safety

A Busy Month for the Port Washington Fire Department

PWFD's Chief Cole says summer's end saw "one of, if not the busiest 10-day period" in the department's history.

For Chief Geoffrey P. Cole, safety always remains at the forefront.

“The number of personnel that goes out the door, I want that to be the number that comes back,” he said. “The number of injuries usually reflects preparedness.”

As he sat at his desk at fire department Headquarters, located on Port Washington Boulevard, Cole recalled the department’s busiest 10-day period in history, at least that anyone can remember. There was an undeniable passion as he spoke: this 10-day period was a record-breaking one full of of hurricane action, tornado warnings, fallen trees and working fires. And there was no doubt that the PWFD was well-prepared for every fire, fallen limb and emergency.

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The PWFD responded to 271 calls, 48 of which were ambulance calls, from Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. That included calls during the threatening yet short-staying Hurricane Irene, as well as six working fires within a four-day period.

“It’s one of, if not the busiest 10-day period in our history,” Cole said. “The community should be very proud of the fire and police services we have in this community.”

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Those 10 days have put the PWFD on track to possibly experience a record-breaking year, as far as total calls. In 2010, the PWFD responded to 3,100 calls, according to the chief. The department typically averages about 250 calls per month, Cole said. But just between Sept. 7-12, the PWFD received 64 calls, he pointed out – that’s 64 calls in five days. Chief Cole estimated that the PWFD would tally about 3,300 calls at the end of this year.

The Port Washington Fire Department is made up of four companies: Atlantic Hook & Ladder, Protection Engine, Flower Hill Hose and Fire Medic companies. The all-volunteer department has been serving Port Washington for more than 100 years, since 1907.

The PWFD diligently prepared for and weathered Hurricane Irene, during which many department firefighters were on standby for nearly 48 hours – from 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, into Monday, Aug. 29. Then, while many residents remained without power, the department responded to six “well-involved structural fires in four days,” the chief said. Those fires wound up causing $8.5 million in damage, Cole said.

Four of the fires were confirmed electrical fires, he said, while one fire was due to unattended cooking and the other is still under investigation. None of the fires were suspicious, Cole noted.

The first two working fires took place on Wednesday, Aug. 31, both at 200 Port Washington Blvd but in separate buildings. Then, on Friday, Sept. 2, a fire destroyed a house on Sousa Drive in Sands Point. That fire was reported at 10:07 p.m., Chief Cole said. About three hours later, at 1:17 a.m. the next morning, Sept. 3, another fire was called in at 3 Oak Tree Lane.

Several surrounding fire departments were on standby and called in for mutual aid in Port Washington during the fires, Cole explained, and other departments responded to the Oak Tree Lane fire, as the PWFD was still taking care of the scene at Sousa Drive.

“That night, we had three engines and a ladder standing by. There were no Port units at the Oak Tree Lane fire,” Cole pointed out.

Later that weekend, on Sunday, Sept. 4, the PWFD responded to two more working fires, one at Warwick Place and a fire at Shorewood Drive in Sands Point.

"It was unbelievable to see so many people show up in under five minutes ready to lay down their lives for me," said one woman, whose house had caught fire, but wished to remain anonymous.

"It's just a testament to how these people are public servants," she added, noting that the fire at her home occurred just days before Sept. 11, when New Yorkers are especially cognizant of the efforts of first respondant. 

Those departments that assisted in Port Washington during the working fires were the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department; the Plandome Fire Department; the Roslyn Fire Department, both Rescue and Highlands; Great Neck Vigilant Fire Co., Great Neck Alert Fire Co., the Albertson Fire Department, the Williston Park Fire Department, the Westbury Fire Department, the Carle Place Fire Department and the Glenwood Fire Co.

The Nassau County fire marshal responded to all of the fires to investigate, Chief Cole added.

The PWFD consists of 315 volunteer members, the chief said. There were 70 PWFD firefighters who reported for the fires at 200 Port Washington Blvd.; 85 members who reported for the Sousa Drive fire; 60 firefighters total at the Oak Tree Lane fire, none of them PWFD members; 64 PWFD members who reported for the Warwick Place fire, and 51 firefighters who reported to the Shorewood Drive fire.

All PWFD officers and members “did a fantastic job,” Cole said. “There were no deaths or injuries during the entire [10-day] period, and no reportable fire department injuries.”

And there were many hazards to address, the chief added. “Everything was done safely,” he said.

When it comes to fire safety in the home, Chief Cole recommends exercising “common sense.”

“Take walk through your house,” he said, and make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are charged, 100-percent battery operated and no more than five years old.

Make sure that outlets are not overloaded, no cords are placed under carpets or rugs, and there are no combustibles near oil burners, he said. Detectors should be checked at least two times a year, he added. “It’s general common sense,” the chief said.

The PWFD is always looking for new members to join its volunteer ranks. Those interested should visit www.pwfd.com for more information.

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