I would like to take this opportunity to clarify certain misconceptions that appeared in a week-long report that recently appeared in Newsday. The report covered many fire departments in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Certain items in this report, such as response times, preparedness and over-indulgences, have brought into question the operations of fire departments across Long Island. I think that it is unfair to paint the entire fire service of Long Island with this broad brush.

As chief of the Garden City Fire Department, please rest assured that all items appearing in this report do not apply to the Garden City Fire Department. As you may or may not know, Garden City Fire Department is one of two combination departments on Long Island. As a combination fire department we operate utilizing a total of 34 career firefighters who work rotating shifts and 120 volunteer members who respond at a moments notice directly to the emergency scene, where a coordinated effort is implemented to mitigate the situation. This approach allows the Garden City Fire Department to deliver emergency response apparatus and adequate manpower to the scene in less than three minutes. In this report many of the problems with response times were the result of emergency medical needs; the Garden City Fire Department does not operate an emergency medical service. We depend upon the Garden City Police Department, Nassau County ambulances and area volunteer fire departments to provide this service to the village.

All property, real estate, apparatus and equipment used by the Garden City Fire Department are owned by the Village of Garden City. The chiefs and members of the Garden City Fire Department assist the village by making recommendations as to the type of equipment that should be purchased for the best service to the residents and business community. The partnership that has been formed over many years between the village and the Garden City Fire Department ensures that a high level of fire and emergency protection is delivered to the residents in a timely fashion.

I am very proud to serve the residents of Garden City as the chief of the Garden City Fire Department. I am equally proud to stand by every member of the fire department whose tireless efforts and complete dedication allow this department to deliver a level of preparedness and professionalism that is second to none.

To our friends and neighbors, stay healthy and safe and thank you for your continued support.

Edward S. Moran

Chief of Department

Garden City Fire Department