Sorry I'm late with updating the monthly news about the Company, but people that know me well know that I don't function too well during the summer. Especially when the temperature hovers around the 90's.
Well July has come and gone. The Company worked the Dee 's annual 4 th of July sale and the Department hosted the Nassau County Parade. Former Chiefs “Rube” Pfirman (Hose Company 1) came in from California , Bill Telford (South Side Hose Company 2) came up from Florida and Jimmy Conklin (Columbia Engine Company 1) up from Tennessee . It was really nice to see them again. “Rube” being the senior Chief led the 1 st Division and I had the honor to lead the 2 nd Division. Also during July Ex-Captain Jim Garvey and Barbara became Grandparents for the 3 rd time. Number two son Bill and wife Gina had a baby boy named William. Dad Bill being a football coach, I'm sure went out and bought young William a set of shoulder pads and a football helmet.
July also brought the Company three water rescues to the City of Long Beach . We've had more workouts with Marine 6 this year, then in all the years we've had it (Dec. 1992). Along with the water rescues, we participated in the County Wide disaster drill. Hopefully we'll never have to use the real one.
The Company annual picnic was held on July 30 th . and all attending had a great time. Chris “Rocky” Marciano ran it this year and I think he'll be asked to do it again. Great job ...Rock.
August meeting came and Nick “Soggy” Greco got himself off probation. Nick can now say “good bye” to his Probie shield, and congratulations on getting off probation.
The N.Y.State parade was held on Sunday, August 21 st . in Baldwin . The Department had a nice turn out of over 100 members, but Freeport turned out over 200 so I guess no need to say which Department won the parade. We did take the second place trophy and the OFD band came in first again. All in all the OFD had nothing to be ashamed of. The Department picnic was held immediately after the parade at our Firemen's Field. From what I heard all had a great time. Food was good and plentiful and there were a lot of activities to keep the kids busy. I wanted to go myself with the grandkids, but company came so I had to stay home and entertain.
Still no word on a new 2462, but I understand from talking to one of the Fire Commissioners that they are actively working on it along with our Captain. And mentioning the Captain, he doesn't have too many days left to be a bachelor. By the time the next news letter comes out JT and Tara will be Mr. and Mrs. John Madden, so at this time I want to wish them the VERY BEST for a long and happy marriage.
Caught a Mutual Aid to Hewlett FD the other night. Hewlett requested our Chuck Wagon (246-30) for refreshments at an apartment house fire. That was the original purpose of us putting together a wagon to serve refreshments at major or working fires. Well we loaded the wagon up with plenty of water bottles, ice, hamburgers and hamburger rolls and set off for Hewlett. Pete Chiovitt behind the wheel of 24-PC towing 246-30. Pete did a great job getting us there thru those narrow roads of the Hewlett's and we spent about 1 ½ hours over there serving ice water to the “brothers.” We didn't have to get the grill fired up as Hewlett had food back at there fire house.
The original “Chuck Wagon” was put together by John Moisuk , Henry Emilo and the Captain at that time Bob Heintz back in 1974. (Pictures of the original wagon are in the picture section of this web page.) The original wagon got a lot of work out with John Moisuk pulling it to calls with his station wagon. The present wagon was purchased when Bill Leahy was Captain twenty years later in 1994. It hasn't gone to too many fires, but sure does get a workout every year supporting The Dees' sales and Christmas week.
That's all for this month, so until my next…
Stay Well and Stay Safe and remember
“When you train, train like your life depends on it , because it just might”.
Sincerely,
Ex-Chief Bob Jacoby
OFDChief77@aol.com
Oceanside Hose Company no. 1
49 Evergreen Ave.
Oceanside , NY 11572
(516) 766-9708
