Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello (center) outside the "warehouse" with instructors Mineola Fire Chief Scott Holliday and New Hyde Park ex-Chief John Nykiel.

Nassau County Legislator Rich Nicolello recently joined with First Battalion firefighters at the Nassau County Fire Academy in Bethpage. The First Battalion was hosting a training and coordination exercise with members of the various fire departments comprising the battalion.

The training involved an exercise in which the firefighters had to put out a fire in a warehouse building. Nicolello was provided firefighting gear and was brought inside the building to observe the firefighters in action.

"It was an invaluable learning experience to observe the training and witness the conditions inside the building. It is difficult to describe the nightmarish conditions inside the building to someone who has not experienced it. The thick black smoke makes it impossible to see. You can feel the extreme heat even through the heavy protective gear. Even though you know it is a controlled fire, it is a nightmarish environment," Nicolello said.

The legislator added, "After experiencing the training, I have even greater respect and admiration for our volunteer firefighters. They have the dedication and commitment to spend countless hours in training. More importantly, their willingness to place themselves in dangerous conditions to serve the public takes courage that is nothing short of incredible."