Great Neck Alert firefighter Tom Jennings and his Memorabilia/Historical Committee are proud of the extensive "museum quality" collection they have gathered at the Alert firehouse. And proud they should be! This collection is as exciting as it is expansive, covering not only the 106 years of the Alert history, but also including much of the history of the Great Neck community.

Mr. Jennings created the committee, and the start of the collection, about 12 years ago, "with the idea in mind of preserving items from our historical past." Up until that point, so many irreplaceable items were lost, many thrown out without thought, often discarded when an estate was settled and an old house cleaned out.

"Indeed, our original incorporation paper was retrieved from a compactor within hours of pickup after the committee was formed," Mr. Jennings told the Great Neck Record. And now, he said, this terrible "bleeding loss" of valuable pieces of history has ended. The showcases in the firehouse have grown in numbers, the items keep coming in as the collection flourishes and grows.

Wonderful bits and pieces of history now keep coming in and the display, says Mr. Jennings, is "the pride of the Alert Fire Company." Of course, they are always on the lookout for appropriate items and anyone who has an addition can call Tom Jennings at the firehouse at 487-1057. He will even come and pick up the memorabilia!

The history-filled showcases now number seven, all nearly filled, some with special sections dedicated to former Alert chiefs and presidents. Another special section honors former Alert Junior Firefighter Jonathan Lee Ielpi (where his badge and shirt are shown) and others who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Yet another special section showcases mementoes and photos from all of the past annual dinners, including a program from a dinner held during World War I, and other display cases are beautifully filled with various old firematic treasures. In addition to the showcases, the stairs at the firehouse are lined with some amazing old firematic items too.

Other items on display from the Alert's rich history include an Alert flag flown on 9/11, as well as a flag that flew over the White House on 9/11. And there is even a flag that once flew over the Alert firehouse during WWII days. There are lanterns from old steamers, lanterns that used to light the way with candles, as well as horns from original Alert fire trucks and more equipment from antique firetrucks. And there are helmets, Alert helmets as well as ones from WWI, WWII and the Korean War; there is even an Austrian fire helmet that is still used today.

Photos and newspaper clippings are carefully saved too. Newspaper clippings from the local papers go back to WWII days. Many photos adorn the firehouse, with an amazing display of photographs of all of the chiefs, from the very beginning until today. Each chief's photo is among the collection all around the walls of the social hall upstairs. There is even the original one of the first chief, from way back in 1901. One very interesting photo is the old Chrysler fire truck, one of a kind, donated by a long-ago Great Neck resident Walter P. Chrysler. Other photos include very interesting shots of the old Alert firehouse and the annual dances, including the very first one.

Some photos, including even the old tin types, are carefully placed in albums. Mr. Jennings says that the photo albums took "countless hours to put together ... but I thoroughly enjoyed it." Once such album is dedicated to 9/11. Members shared their photos of the Twin Towers site. Members also shared their photos of the 100th anniversary festivities, and thus developed an anniversary album.

Film footage has been saved too. With a collection of over 40 old reels, dating from the 1940s to the 1990s, these priceless films are now on videotape. As well, there are also tapes with interviews of many of the older members, some who have since died. Future video sessions are planned.

And going way, way back in time, in years gone by, Teddy Roosevelt used to stop by and visit the Alerts. He donated a shell from a bullet used at San Juan Hill and this sits in one case.

Holding a very special place of honor in the firehouse is a marble sculpture serving as a memorial to 9/11. Made by a local artist, the marble comes from the same quarry as did the building materials for the Twin Towers.

And so, 106 years of history, Alert history and the history of the Great Neck community, is proudly on display at the Alert firehouse. And there's even more still in storage, not yet placed on display. Mr. Jennings reminds everyone that "there's a lot of Great Neck history here ... a lot famous people lived in Great Neck over the years, with people from show biz , politicians ..." The wonderful displays are always visible, Mr. Jennings says, and he even has school groups coming to visit.

" We are proud of our company; we love it," says Mr. Jennings.

The Alert Fire Company is always looking for new members. Alert President John Motchkavitz invites anyone who is interested to call 487-1057 or stop by the Alert firehouse at 555 Middle Neck Road (in the Old Village). "Everyone who joins is an active participant; there is training and a position for everyone," Mr. Motchkavitz assures.