By Mike Ciampo
Long Island, New York is rich in heritage in the volunteer fire service. Fire departments all across “The Island” have a tremendous amount of pride in their departments and often portray that on their apparatus.
The departments are also proactive when it comes to training and many of them compete in firematic competitions that may be unusual for some. These drills involve the use of “hot-rod” converted fire apparatus on a short drag strip to perform ladder raises, hose stretches and bucket brigades. Speed, technique and even daring maneuvers are part of the process and these competitions are known throughout that state as drill teams.
Covering such a large area of real estate, the fire departments are always looking to enhance their capabilities through modern and updated apparatus and equipment while also getting some of the best training available to them. A few organizations are able to help provide those things to the firefighters on the island and surrounding areas.
The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (which is open to all firefighters no matter their rank) and the Islip Town Fire/EMS Museum and Educational Center co-host the Metro Fire/EMS Expo held at the Nassau Coliseum. The Expo not only provides exhibits and vendor displays, it also offers classroom and hands-on training to attendees.
When we talk about training on the island, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation. The organization prides itself in honoring FDNY member “Joey D” with purchasing bail-out ropes for departments who can’t afford them. The foundation provides a unique blend of training, which involves two days of hands-on evolutions in many disciplines and a day of lectures. The foundation usually provides this venue in cooperation with the Suffolk County NY Fire Academy.
The foundation through the generosity of numerous instructors and vendors has been able to branch out. Affordable Drill Towers has been a huge supporter of the foundation and helped create the Lonestar Edition of the training event which is held in Texas.
For more information on training from these organizations, please visit:
- https://www.nysfirechiefs.com
- https://www.joeydfoundation.org
- http://www.isliptownfirefightersmuseum.org
- https://affordabledrilltowers.com
With all these organizations mentioned, one can surely see that bringing quality education and training to firefighters is a mainstay in creating knowledge and pride that exist in their departments. Here’s a sampling of the logos and emblems taken at these venues, that adorn many of the fire apparatus on the island (Photos by Mike Ciampo):
