East Meadow Fire Department - History

History

The East Meadow Volunteer Firemen's Association held its first meeting on August 24, 1922. On May 19, 1927, they suggested that a Tax District be created. On December 27, 1929 a resolution was filed and on January 27, 1930, The Nassau County Board of Supervisors established the East Meadow Fire District. An election was held on February 27, 1930 and five Commissioners were elected.

The East Meadow Fire Department held its first meeting on April on April 3, 1930. The names of 36 members were listed with a notation that 22 were association members. The meeting hall and firehouse was on Maple Avenue, the current site of the Volunteers & Exempt Firemen's Benevolent Association of East Meadow.

Company 1 (now known as Hook & Ladder Company 1) manned the 1917 Mack Ladder truck with a chemical tank that was purchased from the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department.

Company 2 (now known as Engine Company 2) held its first company meeting in January 1931. When the newly purchased 1931 GMC 500 G.P.M. pumper was delivered on March 5, 1931 they were assigned the 1917 Mack and Company 1 got the new pumper.

Arthur Brisbane, the famous publisher, donated his 1920's Peirce Arrow touring car to the fire department. The members converted it to the racing rig shown below and were known as "The Suicide Squad." A member designed the rear wheels skirts. I was used as an emergency vehicle.

A Ford Floodlight truck was purchased in 1936 and refurbished in 1940 as shown below. Members who were Fire Police and Rescue personnel manned it. It also served as an emergency transportation vehicle.

Company 2 was assigned a new 1937 Buffalo 500 G.P.M. Pumper. This truck served in two other companies before it was retired in 1961.

In 1931 the residents approved a $15,000 bond issue that provided for a firehouse on Newbridge Avenue (now East Meadow Avenue) and Park Avenue and one pumper along with other equipment. Upon completion in 1932, Company 2 moved in with the 1917 Mack Ladder truck. Company 1 remained at the Maple Avenue firehouse that was owned by the firemen's Association.

In 1936 the Commissioners purchased land adjacent to the school located off the southeast corner of Front Street and Newbridge Avenue (now East Meadow Avenue) but were unable to get the residents to approve a firehouse. Company 1 moved in with Company 2 and shared the only firehouse owned by the District at that time.

The end of WWII created a building boom and in 1947 an $86,000 bond issue was approved by just 2 votes. In 1948 a 3 bay firehouse was built on the land purchased in 1936. Company 1 moved in with the GMC pumper and the Floodlight that was used as an Emergency and Fire Police Unit. In 1949 a public referendum approved a $20,000 for the purchase of a "quadruple combination fire truck" and improvements to the alarm system. The bond issue to build a firehouse on the land that was donated by Arthur Levitt was defeated.

Hose Company 3 (now known as Engine Company 3) held its first meeting on October 29, 1948 at the Newbridge Avenue firehouse. When the bond issue for their firehouse was defeated, a surplus WWII Quonset hut was purchased and erected at Newbridge Road and Carnation Road in Levittown by volunteers of the department. On July 2, 1951 the firehouse was completed and became the quarters for Company 3.

In 1951 a $114,000 general improvement bond was approved. This provided funds for the following:(1) A firehouse at Carmen Avenue and Salisbury Park Drive in Westbury and improvements to Company 3, (2) additional land and building additions for Company 1 and 2, (3) two Ward La France 750 G.P.M. pumpers, (4) an extension of the alarm system, (5) two way radios for the trucks (6) three salaried maintenance men for the care of the equipment, buildings and alarm system.

In 1952 a one-story addition was erected to the rear wall of the Newbridge Avenue firehouse that was then called Headquarters. This added a bay a commissioner's room.

Company 4 firehouse was erected and the company went into service on January 1, 1953.

The building boom continued with the construction of dwellings and mercantile structures. With the rapid growth the responsibility of the Fire District became greater. Additional and adequate protection had to be provided for the increased population and properties.

The Fire Police and Rescue Company held its first meeting on March 9, 1953. When the famous "White GMC Heavy Rescue Truck" arrived later in the year, the Fire Police became a Squad within the company and manned the floodlight truck with no rescue or first aid duties. Rescue Company 5 has been based at the East Meadow Avenue firehouse since its inception. Fire Police were phased out in the 1960s.

Ladder Company 2 held its first meeting on March 2, 1956 at the Company 3 firehouse and was later assigned the 1950 Ward La France Quard when Company 1 got a new 85' American La France Aerial Ladder Truck.

On April 10, 1956 Engine Company 1 held its first meeting and was stationed at Headquarters with Hook & Ladder Company 1 (formally Company 1) and Rescue Company 5. The 1937 Buffalo was refurbished and assigned to them.

In 1959-60 two bays were added and the upper level was extended. In 1967 another story was added to the rear 1952 addition that became the District Boardroom.

In 1980 an Emergency Squad was created and opened by members of Engine Company 4.

In 1990 a special squad staffed by members of the Fire Department who are Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians was created. Also, a Safety Officers Squad staffed by Ex-Chiefs and Ex-Captains was formed.