Firefighters Battle Three-Alarm Fire in Port Washington

Mimi January 13, 2013 at 05:10 am

Justanotherdaysoundinglikeajackassagain...

NYB January 13, 2013 at 09:05 am

One would think that Patch would aspire to be a civic-minded organization, since, if nothing else, it's insular and territorial nature demands and depends on the support of the community, yet, the editors allow it to become the mouthpiece of the disgruntled fringe, the rally-point for the disaffected single-issue nuisances of this community. It's time to clean this place up.
Is the PWFD perfect? No. Is the Nassau Fire Service perfect? No. But you couldn't even imagine the sordid, complex and technical natures of the various problems at play, and how many good people are hard at work to do the best solve and work around those problems with the resources that are available. Bring a legitimate complaint to the table, or for the love of God stop whining.

jonathan winant January 13, 2013 at 09:32 am

The real truth is that after living in Nassau County for fifty years I know what Volunteer fireman and woman means. First in districts there is a few fire personnel who are paid so that someone minds the fort. Next these volunteer individuals go through fire trainning and give up their time to rush out and do something many do not do. These non-paid people save ot try to save lives and property by risking their own lives.
Try to leave Thanksgiving dinner or leave in the middle of the night in all kinds of weather. I hope many do not have to call the fire dept. for help. Praise to those who volunteered and went through the trainning.

jonathan winant January 13, 2013 at 09:38 am

By the way if you ever heard how much fire fighting equipment costs you would be more then shocked. Bigger buildings means bigger equipment is needed. More traffic brought about more auto accidents. Consider the area covered by the P. W. fire dept. is enofrmous. Another thought who fights a fire when the fire dept. resources are already fighting a previous fire? How many volunteers are available at one time many of those individuals have jobs or events takng them out of the P. W. area. These are not people who sit at the fire house until duty calls (un like N.Y.C. fire fighters) The fire Dept is also trainned for medical emergencies.

Cari Gatto Huszar January 13, 2013 at 01:37 pm

I agree that these comments are not supportive of our community but I do think the Patch needs to allow free speech, however irritating that may be for those of us who love and support the community.

Christian Hehn January 13, 2013 at 01:59 pm

First off if your going the basting the Port Washington volunteer Fire Department ... Instead of hiding behind some stupid ignorant name.. be a man use your real name.. People don't understand thee Volunteer Fire Department until you REALLY need them. Karma is a bitch .... Thank you to the rest of you who support us.

Nassau Taxpayer January 13, 2013 at 02:19 pm

Good points to consider in light of ToNH's ill-considered and ill-advised Main Street overlay mixed-use/up-zoning decision. Was there any PWFD evaluation, let alone endorsement?

Dina Scobbo January 13, 2013 at 03:36 pm

Sounds like ":justanotherday" is a bitter person. Probably one who could not become a Firemen due to his hostile attitude and his lack of intelligence. Our Town has grown, bigger houses, bigger buildings. Better equipment is needed. These men and women VOLUNTEER there time to help our Community and not just when their is a fire call. They get up and leave their families to help the Community, they leave in the middle of the night, they leave in weather you wouldn't even think of going out in. I'm sure your one of those people who complain about EVERYTHING, well just think of this. If we had a paid F.D. what would our taxes be. And please if you ever need help from the PWFD because your house is on fire, don't call. Stay in your house and burn, because people like YOU belong in hell anyhow.

Dina Scobbo January 13, 2013 at 03:37 pm

Thank you for your support.....

Steven Grodensky January 13, 2013 at 03:53 pm

How can anyone bash a volunteer fire department? They don't know you yet they show up, try and save your property and sometimes your life. They don't ask for thanks, tips, accolades, etc. they get dirty, they get hurt, sometimes they pay the ultimate price; for you, for me, for our businesses. Justanotherday and anyone else who feels these men and women mail it in should ask them how they feel this morning. Sore, tired, stinking like amoke... Unless you're willing to put on all that equipment and put yourself in a potentially life threatening situation you probably ought to keep your mouth shut and walk away from your computer. Hopefully your house will never burn, because you'll need the help of those you so vehemently criticize. Nice way to say thank you...

Michael Neil January 13, 2013 at 04:04 pm

I'm glad that we have these dedicated members of the community that so selflessly put a great deal of their time into training for and responding to emergencies of all kinds. I know a few of them personally, and they're outstanding individuals, contributing to the good and safety of the
community. We're lucky to have them, not just in Port Washington, but all over the island, providing such essential services and backing up their neighboring communities when needed.

Lynn Keating, Acupuncturist January 13, 2013 at 04:11 pm

I, for one, am thankful to know there are so many brave men and women - in this town and neighboring towns - who choose to respond and not only give up their own time but risk their lives to help those in our community. I do not know how a thank you is not the first word out of peoples mouths for these volunteers. I hope they all know how much they are appreciated by those of us who have had to call them, may have to call them and even those of us who may never need their services but are grateful to know so many people have volunteered their time to learn the skills we may need to save our lives/homes/businesses. And,many prayers and thoughts to the family involved in this fire and all those who came to their aid.

Dawn Andrew January 13, 2013 at 04:55 pm

I agree with Lynn. I am thankful for our volunteers who do an amazing job.

Robert J. Pape, Jr. January 13, 2013 at 05:55 pm

Well said Lynn.

ja barbour January 13, 2013 at 06:26 pm

Once upon a time, the fire departments in towns across america were private enterprises. you had to pay into them for them to respond at all. two houses could be burning side by side and the FD would only put out the paying house. the govt pulled them out of privitized status to save communities and lives. that we have FD's at all in this country is a great privilege. thanks to all the volunteers who form a network across our nation and who participate in all kinds of disasters from home fires to wild fires, and any other situations where their equipment is required.

ja barbour January 13, 2013 at 06:53 pm

fyi: http://portwashington.patch.com/listings/port-washington-fire-department

sadeto January 13, 2013 at 07:49 pm

There are still private firefighting outfits that only protect the houses of customers. they work for the insurance industry now:
http://harpers.org/archive/2009/10/too-big-to-burn/

jonathan winant January 13, 2013 at 08:01 pm

Poft Washington is damn lucky to have the type of fire dept we have point blank!
My observation is that we do not have excesively lavish fire houses which cost taxpayers dearly. We have a mostly volunteer fire dept. which does not cost us dearly. We have a great network of fire departments which aid each other when needed. The increase in size of Port Washington and the more commercial businesses we have makes the fire fighters volunteer job more difficult. After taking a fire fighting course at the very same facility which trains many fire fighters from Nassau County I gainned considerably ore respect for what they do. Maybe sme of those who bashed the department need to ride along with the fire fighters on a call in the middle of a winters night when roads are barely passable and the water from the hoses start to freeze on impact. Then think how you would feel if your house was on fire and the fire department informed you they did not have the fire fighters to help you and your on your own. From a car or brush fire to a fully engulfed home or business praise those doing the job you do n ot have the gutts to do.

NYB January 13, 2013 at 08:48 pm

Free speech is not the few harassing the many. Even in a public forum (which this isn't) responsibility should rule the day. Just because you can incite people to anger doesn't mean that you should, and certainly no news organization is obligated to approve of or facilitate the voicing of baseless nonsensical claims by a fringe element of malcontents. Furthermore, journalists have an obligation to filter from their news space claims that have no merit and serve only to draw attention to the author. It's called responsible journalism, not censorship.

ja barbour January 13, 2013 at 10:57 pm

I am sort of glad about negative comments. I find it refreshing that so many who respect the fire fighters have been motivated to speak out publicly in support. I would not have posted anything here, or read additional responses without negative nelly post. This is our community, disgruntled's and not. We are all "we." The Patch belongs equally to all of us. We don't have to like or agree with each other. If the Patch had to filter based on a preference, they would have to settle on a preference for editing. They will never please us all in doing this. We will never all agree. It is a sticky wicket indeed.

justanotherday January 13, 2013 at 11:52 pm

The PWFD/PWPD do nothing! Have any of you not read the article about the $500G grant received by the PWFD? I wonder if the firefighters who were hired were there or being paid through this grant to sit at home! I say get rid of the volunteer fire department. All they do is watch tv and drink.

Mimi January 14, 2013 at 12:12 am

Justanotherdaysoundinglikeajackassonceagain!!

sadeto January 14, 2013 at 12:43 am

You have got to be the stupidest person to post a comment on this site, and that is quite an accomplishment.

J. January 14, 2013 at 12:49 am

Just another day just sitting in your house making ignorant comments that show your maturity level. I triple dog dare you to actually show up at one of the firehouses in PW and hang out for a week. See what really happens. Doubt you have it in you though.

NYB January 14, 2013 at 03:09 am

Patch has become the vehicle of the destruction of Port Washington...this is really pathetic.

NYB January 14, 2013 at 03:11 am

The ink on the check isn't dry, the people aren't even hired yet and this guy already has a problem with the way they operate. Bring a legitimate complaint to the table or just go away.

NYB January 14, 2013 at 03:16 am

There is a difference between making reasoned arguments based in fact and just throwing out any old senseless accusation just to cause discord. Day's gripes aren't based in any cognizable reality about the way things happen. It's as if I came on here and lambasted Patch for having white supremacist affiliations just to anger the community, opposing opinions are one thing and that's fine but nonsensical accusations and factually baseless complaints have but one purpose, to create animosity, and as journalists, Patch should weed those things out when a user utilizes their access to the comments to post nothing but nonsense.

Sandy January 14, 2013 at 03:32 am

As the mother of a proxy in the PWFD, I can tell you that a lot of time, training and hard work goes into being part of our volunteer department. In NYC, these departments make a very nice salary. Our department does the same job because they want to serve the community. Many of them are paid met and law enforcement or fire dept in the city during the day and take this on in their "free time.". They are the salt of the earth and they love the community and what they do. Please respect their work and support them. They are family and amazingly compassionate individuals.
Sandy Jo Becker Hyman

Adina Genn (Editor) January 14, 2013 at 03:46 am

We're closing comments now. Thank you to the Port Washington Fire Department for their service to the community.

Adina Genn (Editor) January 14, 2013 at 03:48 am

Thank you also to the community for showing their support to the PWFD.