Atlantic Steamer Divers Complete Training

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Atlantic Steamer Divers Complete Training

Written by Frank Ozol, ASFC ex-chief Friday, 19 October 2012 00:00

The long weekend of September 20-23 was certainly an arduous one for members of Atlantic Steamer Fire Company’s (ASFC) Dive/ Water Rescue Team. Six divers earned certification as Public Safety Diver (PSD). PSD is a basic certification needed for rescue diving within a public safety (in this case, fire department) dive team.

The training took place at beaches in Oyster Bay and Glen Cove and at the Atlantic Steamer Marine Facility at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. Danny Rivera and Chris Zino are in charge of diver training for the fire company. Both are master scuba diver trainers and PSD instructors.

Atlantic Steamer divers use their training to rescue a diver in distress, as part of a drill. Photos by Frank Maiorana, Jr. A PSD requires exceptional advanced diving skills and training and needs specialized equipment.

Four “tenders” were also trained and certified. All six divers were cross-trained, as well. A tender is a diver’s on-land partner and guides the diver through the search and rescue and is responsible for the diver’s safety. Atlantic Steamer has six additional divers and 10 tenders that have started this lengthy and dangerous training.

The ASFC is the only fire department dive team on the north shore of Nassau County. When necessary the fire company’s specially-equipped dive truck is prepared to be dispatched to lend mutual-aid assistance to neighboring fire departments. ASFC has been adding more state-of-the-art equipment for its divers and has members of the fire company trained to man its fire/rescue boat, as well as two waverunners and other rescue equipment stored at its marine facility located at the Western Waterfront.

Members of the team that participated that weekend were: Divers: co-captains Danny Rivera and Chris Zino, Chief Doug Schadler, 1st Assistant Chief Rob Waller, Jr., Pablo Fernandez, Jeff Adami, Chris Montell and Jay Valdes. The tenders were: ex-chief Frank Ozol, Ron Bagan, Ray Norton and Tom Martinovic.

If you would like to become “one of Oyster Bay’s bravest,” contact Chief Doug Schadler at 922-5414. After initial training as a firefighter and/or EMT, you could become a PSD or a boat team member. All training is provided by the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company.

News

Successful ArtWalk Stroll

Wednesday, 19 June 2013 00:00

With notices now coming in, the first ArtWalk on June 2, was a success. Walter Imperatore, co-chair of the Marketing Committee of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of commerce offered, “We were generally happy with the results. Jim Perna of Long Island Picture Frame, who’s running this event for the chamber, said that he saw an increase in the number of people on the streets. That being said, we were looking to attract more people.”

ArtWalk also gave several artists the opportunity to share their talent with the public as the Arts & Antiques Walk planned for this summer’s Sundays debuted. It is intended to bring people to the hamlet by adding “eye candy” to the streetscape and Julie and David Heiss of the Madd Potter agreed it did.

Sports

Boys Lacrosse Wins County Championship

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

County title is a first for Quakers and their program

With fans wildly cheering from the sidelines, the Friends Academy Boys Varsity Lacrosse team kept rival Cold Spring Harbor at bay before ultimately beating them 9-4 to capture their first ever Class C Nassau County Championship.

Coach Brian Crocco credits the team’s offensive balance with their success in the championship game and throughout the 14-2 season. “What we have found all season is that while we do have a few serious impact players who contribute quite a bit to our offensive success, what has been most remarkable is that we have shared the scoring well, especially in big games. During the championship game, we had seven different goal scorers contribute for the win — two seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores. We have six guys with at least 20 points each this season, so in crucial situations we have found that any number of guys can make a play.”