On Saturday, Sept. 17, the officers and members of the Syosset Fire Department's (SFD) Hook & Ladder Company held dedication ceremonies for their fleet of emergency response apparatus, including the brand new, state-of-the-art Pierce heavy rescue truck, unit 588. They also dedicated their 2001 American-La France 93-foot Tower Ladder truck, unit 582. The dedication ceremony and a traditional fire service 'wet-down' were held at the SFD's Headquarters on Cold Spring Road.

Unit 588 is a state-of-the-art 2005 Pierce heavy rescue truck which, when fully loaded with lifesaving tools and equipment, weighs 20 tons. Heavy rescue 588 responds to structure fires; automobile accidents, especially those requiring extrication of the victim from the vehicle; special rescue situations and various other emergencies. Its design and construction took three years and was overseen by a dedicated group of officers and members from the Hook & Ladder Company, with the assistance of fire apparatus design consultant Bill Peters. It was purchased from Firematic Supply of Yaphank, the Pierce dealer for Long Island, and was manufactured at the Pierce plant in Wisconsin.

In addition to bringing a tremendous amount of tools to an emergency scene, such as multiple sets of hydraulic cutters and spreaders used to cut up cars and other special rescue tools, this newest member of the SFD fleet also includes features designed to increase the safety of the firefighters riding inside the truck. These include a rollover protection system comprised of a number of airbags in the crew compartment and a system of seatbelts that automatically tighten if the vehicle becomes involved in an accident. With enough on board power to supply an average home, 588 is also capable of providing firefighters with daylight conditions for extended operations in remote or poorly lit locations.

The new heavy rescue rig was dedicated to all the members of the Hook & Ladder Company who have passed on. The Company also dedicated its Tower Ladder, unit 582, to four very special Hook & Ladder members who have passed on in recent years. Frank Odwazny, Paul Behr, Henry Marzola and Joseph Hendrickson, Sr. gave over a century and a half of service to the Syosset community and their fellow members of the Hook & Ladder Co. Members of their families were on hand as a plaque bearing the names of these four men, affixed to the side of the Tower Ladder's cab, was unveiled.

"These were four very special men and leaders in this company, this department and this community", said chief of department and Hook & Ladder Co. member Chief Christian Pieper. "We are honored to dedicate these rigs to them and all the other Hook & Ladder members who have come before us. We hope that their spirits will watch over us and guide us as we continue to respond to our neighbors' calls for assistance at all hours of the day and night."

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. In 2004, the SFD responded to a total of 1,996 alarms. The District's fleet has 11 pieces of firefighting and emergency medical apparatus and four chief's cars.

For information about becoming a member of the Syosset Fire Department, contact the Chief's Office at 921-0728, ext. 4502. For fire safety information, contact the Fire Prevention Office at 921-6597. Also, visit the Syosset Fire Department on the web at syossetfd.org.