The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department recently released its 2004 Alarm and Response Report. The report is a tally of all calls received and responded to by the department throughout the year and includes calls ranging from automatic alarms to reports of house fires, automobile accidents and medical emergencies. The number of calls for calendar year 2004 was 1,996. This surpasses last year's total of 1,975 and is now the second highest number recorded in Syosset history, second only to 1999, when the SFD responded to 2,035 incidents.

It is important to note that the 2003 totals included 100 calls for assistance in a 24-hour during the Great Blackout that darkened a large portion of the country in August of that year. The SFD usually responds to that many calls in two weeks. With that one-day spike removed, the increase in alarms from 2003 to 2004 was roughly 6 percent. Responses by the Syosset Fire Department have increased by almost 500 percent over the last 30 years since modern record keeping began. In the last two decades, the number of responses has virtually doubled.

"This alarm report represents almost 2,000 times last year that our members took time out from their lives and their families to respond to a call for help," said Chief Richard Roseo, chief of department of the Syosset Fire Department. "Our run numbers continue to grow and I want to thank the over 100 men and women of the Syosset Fire Department for all they have done to help their neighbors and their community this past year."

The high number of calls for 2004 is part of a steady trend in increased activity for the SFD over the years. Increases in population and a marked increase in new construction in the area, both residential and commercial, have contributed significantly to this trend over the last several years.

Throughout the year, the department responded to over 1,500 reports of fires and other emergencies. Once again, automatic fire alarms constituted the largest category of responses, accounting for almost 700 alarms. Other noteworthy statistics include a 30 percent increase in reports of carbon monoxide alarms and a 50 percent decrease in reports of brush fires.

In addition, the SFD responded to nearly 500 emergency medical calls last year. "Responses to medical emergencies now constitute one out of every four calls we receive," said Chief Roseo. "With these numbers expected to grow over the next several years, we have instituted an 'EMS-only' membership program for people who would like to focus on helping out in medical emergencies but don't necessarily want to be firefighters." Since its inception, the program has attracted a half-dozen EMS-only members, all of whom were provided with the opportunity to attend an Emergency Medical Technician training course at no charge in exchange for a commitment to volunteer their time.

Noteworthy responses for the year 2004 included a series of six serious house fires in an approximately eight week period from late February through the end of April, including an April 30 house fire on Barry Lane where firefighters rescued 36 cats and dogs. In June, the Syosset community suffered its first fatal fire in several years when, despite a daring rescue by three Syosset firefighters, two elderly occupants of a house on Marlene Drive succumbed to injuries sustained in a particularly intense late evening kitchen fire.

The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1915 and is composed of over 100 men and women from Syosset and surrounding areas. The department serves an approximately 17 square mile district, with the largest response area in Nassau County. The district's fleet has 11 pieces of fire fighting apparatus and four chief's cars.

Membership requirements are as follows: members must be 18 years of age, pass a physical and an agility test, clear an arson check and clear a fire department reference and background check. Once accepted for membership, the Fire District pays for protective equipment, clothing, training etc. New members receive approximately 100 hours of training in their first two years in the department.

For information about becoming a member of the department, contact the office of the chief of department at 921-0728. For fire safety information, contact the Fire Prevention Office at 921-6597.