Levittown Fire Department is hosting its annual Fund Drive. Earlier this year, the department sent a mailer to every residence within the district requesting a donation. For those residents who decided to donate at that time, we are very grateful for your continued support. In the weeks ahead, you may see uniformed Levittown Firefighters/Fire Medics walking throughout the Levittown Fire District requesting donations from those who may not yet have had an opportunity to donate. To those who donate, we also say thank you. However, please rest assured that donating is completely voluntary. While residents are under absolutely no obligation to donate, support of the Volunteer Levittown Firefighters/ Fire medics is always appreciated.

During the past year, Levittown Fire Department responded to 1,176 alarms, including 580 requests for Emergency Rescue Services. Levittown Fire Department volunteers responded to resident's calls for help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no matter what the weather. The volunteer Levittown Firefighters /Fire Medics are some of the best-trained individuals in the country. Firefighters attend numerous classes and spend an enormous amount of time training to be prepared for those Fire and Hazmat emergencies. Fire Medics are New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians, who must complete six months of initial training, plus three months of refresher training every three years, to ensure that they can provide the best level of care possible. In addition to the time spent training and responding to alarms, these members also must attend multiple meetings a month, participate in department and company committees, march in parades etc. Members also annually teach life-saving fire prevention classes to the students at our local schools, host Fire Department Night at Levittown Fire Department Headquarters and collect food during the Holidays for the Senior Citizens Food Bank and Adopt-a-Family programs.

Residents in Nassau and Suffolk Counties are no doubt aware of the recent articles in Newsday that have detailed abuses by some of the fire agencies on Long Island. Please be aware that Levittown Fire Department and district are taking an aggressive approach to ensure that we are in compliance with all New York State laws and regulations. Despite the rising cost of just about everything, the five publicly elected, volunteer Levittown Fire District Commissioners, with support from the volunteer fire chiefs, have worked very hard to provide the best equipment for firefighters and medics, the best care for district residents, while still holding the line on taxes. Your tax dollars pay for vehicles, equipment purchases, equipment repairs, the cost of utilities (gas, electric, water, fuel for vehicles, hydrants, telephone, etc.) insurances and the salaries for a handful of district employees. However, time spent by Firefighters and Fire Medics in support of our community is voluntary.

If you have any questions at all, or if you would like to donate your time and become a Levittown Fire Department Firefighter or Fire Medic, please feel fee to phone 731-5800 and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

You know that when you are having one of the worst days of your life, the Levittown Fire Department is just a phone call away to help. Thank you once again for your continued support.

Mark Janovsky

Chief of Department

Levittown Fire Department