"The Harbor House" Station No. 3

What a great Eagle Scout Project!

Thank you to the Seaford Middle School Service Club for the care packages! They were appreciated by the members!

RIP FF Jared Lloyd

The SHS 9/11 Memorial Committee has been able to fulfill its mission to "ALWAYS REMEMBER" the five Seaford H.S. alumni and all others who passed away on Septemb...er 11th. In recognition of the twenty years since September 11, 2001 the SHS 9/11 Memorial Committee is offering this limited edition commemorative coin for $20 each. To order, please contact Phil Nicola at [email protected] See more

The Wantagh Fire Department is currently conducting their annual Fund Drive. You should have received a color flyer mailed to your home or business. We apprecia...te the support from those of you who have already responded and ask those considering their donation to be as generous as you can. Due to Covid-19 safety concerns we were not allowed to do our walk last year and we will likely not be doing so this year. Keeping us all safe and healthy continues to be our priority. The annual Fund Drive helps us to provide scholarships for deserving students within the community and support local school children in their fundraising efforts as well. It also allows us to maintain membership in various associations which help keep our membership up to date in the latest legal, training and continuing education efforts so that we can continue to provide the finest services to our community. Please consider donating through the mail or by using the donate now tab on our website, which is www.wantaghfd.com Both of these methods are contact-free and in consideration of your health and ours. As part of our commitment to our residents we ask that you use the tear off portion of the Fund Drive flyer or contact us tab on the website to notify us of any special concerns that may exist at your home; ie: oxygen in use, handicapped or elderly residents, etc. Please feel free to visit our website or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to learn more about your Volunteer Fire Department. As always, we thank you for your support and we are always here when you need us.

A well deserved honor. The Harbor House congratulates Captain Lincke!

Will see you all Saturday!

Need a Christmas tree? Please support our neighbors to the East, the Seaford Fire Department is selling trees every weekend until the 20th!

The Harbor House showing up strong

The Officers and members of The Harbor House Station #3 wish to congratulate Ex-Chief Joseph Gross III ( Jg III )on receiving the Town of Hempstead Firematic Award tonight. A well deserved honor to a dedicated member of Station 3 and the Wantagh Fire Department.

The Wantagh FD responded to a car fire northbound on the Wantagh Parkway, approximately 1 mile south of Merrick Rd at about 1030pm on Saturday September 12, 202...0. First Assistant Chief Tom Bloomfield and the Safety Officer were first to arrive and found the car fully involved. Third Assistant Chief Bill Stevens was also on scene. Engine 5, led by Captain Alex Errico, arrived and the crew began to attack the fire and was assisted by firefighters from Engine 3, under the command of Captain Phil Schaaf. Due to the nature and extent of the fire, crews used foam to smother the flames, which resulted in the roadway becoming slippery. A NY State Department of Transportation crew responded and applied sand to the roadway, rendering it safe. Crews were on scene for approximately and one and a half hours and there were no injuries reported. Kevin Regan, PIO

As we all recover from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isiais, we wanted to assure you that the Wantagh FD remains fully operational as we have been throughout ...the storm. Volunteers responded to over 130 calls for assistance for assignments ranging from downed wires, trees, power outages, and auto accidents., all while many of our members and their families were left with trees down and no power themselves. Fortunately, there were no serious incidents. As repair crews from utility companies work to restore power to our area and remove trees and tree limbs which are blocking roadways, we would like to remind everyone to stay away from any downed wires and that all wires should be considered live. Contact PSEG LI by texting out to PSEGLI (773454) or by calling 1-800-490-0075 or through their social media page. We are aware that many have been experiencing difficulty in contacting PSEG and have been told that they are working on that. In addition, if you have questions about the electrical service to your home you can contact a licensed electrician for advice. If using an emergency generator for power, please follow all safety instructions that were provided by the manufacturer. Portable generators that are hooked up in an unsafe manner can result in a house fire. In addition, when using a portable generator, please ensure that it is in a well-ventilated area AWAY from the house. If it is too close to the house dangerous Carbon Monoxide (which is colorless and odorless) from the exhaust can enter the home and cause illness and even death if undetected. In addition, residents should use caution while driving on area roadways, especially at night, while there are widespread power outages due to hazards which may be present such as trees or wires across the road. In addition, due to the heat and sun, when working or spending time outdoors, it is advisable to take frequent breaks, seek shade when possible and remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Kevin Regan, PIO See more

The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the area. This means that Tropical Storm winds from 35-40 MPH and gusts in excess of 60 MPH e...xpected in the next 24-48 hours. In addition, heavy rains are forecast for Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning with the potential of 2-4 inches expected. Localized street flooding and downed wires are expected as a result of the storm. In addition, a storm surge of 1-3 feet is expected and rough seas and RIP currents will remain throughout the period. Residents should prepare by ensuring that they have an adequate supply of food, water and prescription medication in the event of a prolonged power failure. Make sure portable electronic devices are fully charged and have flashlights ready with a supply of extra batteries. Vehicles should be topped off with gasoline and if you are planning to use an emergency generator you should have an adequate fuel supply and follow all safety regulations. Monitor local news media or the National Weather Service for an up to the minute forecast. In the event of a power outage Text OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or call 1-800-490-0075. In the event of a Fire or Emergency you can contact the Wantagh FD at 785-0180 or call 911. Kevin Regan, PIO

All units from the Harbor House operated at this Brush Fire. Great work by all members involved.

As we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic together and ease towards the other side of the plateau and eventual reopening, we want to take a moment to thank... the front-line workers which we have been working shoulder to shoulder with: the medical professionals, police officers and emergency medical technicians and paramedics who staff the ambulances, but also the many other essential workers who often go unrecognized during times like these. We salute the teachers and all school workers who are working tirelessly to try to maintain a sense of normal, during a time that is anything but normal in our children’s lives, and we salute the children for doing all they can to follow the suggestions of the government and medical experts and keep up with their schoolwork during these unprecedented times. We appreciate the efforts of all IT professionals who are working hard to keep us connected during this time of social distancing. We thank the mail carriers, delivery people and truck drivers who continue to do their job bringing us our mail, essentials and other goods. We recognize the restaurant workers and supermarket workers who are doing their best to help keep us fed and our pantries filled. We appreciate the efforts of clergy who are doing everything they can to bring a sense of worship and community to the faithful through unconventional means. Finally, we are grateful for all those that have recovered and we pause to mourn those that have died. We also recognize those in the funeral industry who have been dealing with the enormous task of helping families in their time of grief, without being able to provide the services they normally do. So many of these unsung heroes who are doing these things, and so much more, despite the added risk to their health. Throughout this pandemic, the Wantagh FD has received several donations from some generous people which we gratefully acknowledge. As previously mentioned on our Facebook page we received a donation of masks from MadMen Barbershop on Merrick Rd. in Wantagh. The Lee Road School has donated sandwiches several times for the duty crews of our ambulance which continues to stand by, 24/7, for all calls for assistance. Ridgewood Tavern recently donated food for a crew from Ladder 1 after they assisted the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce. McDonald ’s and other fast food restaurants are offering free or discounted food to medical professionals and first responders as a sign of their appreciation. Although this is not a complete list we felt it was important to express our thanks at this time. As time goes on, many people have asked: what can we do to help in terms of supporting others during this difficult time. Many of our great local restaurants are open and offering takeout and/or delivery. Many of these are the same establishments that you patronize normally, so if you can, support them now! Rebuilding the local economy is important and helping to keep these local establishments open helps keep people we’ve come to know working, and, in turn, keeps our community great and when you do please be as generous as you can for the staff that brings the food to your car. Sadly, there are also many in our community who are unemployed or have had their normal work schedules cut. If you can help them, or an organization that helps feed the needy such as a local food bank, please donate. If you’d like to donate to the Wantagh FD, it is not too late to donate to our annual Fund Drive which was in progress at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. You can still donate by mailing your contribution to PO Box 154 Wantagh, NY 11793, or by visiting www.wantaghfd.com and clicking on the donate now tab. No one knows exactly what lies ahead, but as in past challenges which we have all faced, we are stronger when we face them together. The members of the Wantagh FD remain steadfast in their commitment to serve and we thank everyone for their continued support. Kevin Regan, PIO See more

While news coming from government officials and experts regarding the effectiveness of social distancing is encouraging we would like to remind everyone that we... are far from done in terms of continuing to work together to fight the pandemic. It is premature to talk about reopening and we all must continue to be cautious and responsible in our actions. Sadly, this includes socializing with non-family members and non-household members during the Easter and Passover Holidays. There will be a time, hopefully in the not to distant future, to celebrate. The Wantagh FD continues to meet the needs of our community as well as prepare for future seasons. Our fire/rescue boat, Marine One, has been readied and placed into service after being stored and serviced over the winter months. As the fishing and boating season begins we would like to remind everyone to exercise additional caution while on the water. The water may be more crowded than usual as people take to the water, especially while schools and many businesses are closed and people continue to work from home. Water safety during normal times is important. It is even more critical now as various rescue and medical resources are stretched thin. In terms of being safe and responsible we would like offer a few other observations and important reminders: 1. SLOW DOWN roadway traffic is much lighter than normal; however, many have observed that people are driving very fast and often tailgating. First Responders are busy enough handling the many emergencies related to Coronavirus. We don’t need any additional work. 2. USE EXTREME CAUTION with fire/cigarette butts. There currently is a high potential for brush fires due to high winds, dry and dense undergrowth and low humidity. When grilling outside using either a charcoal grill or gas fired grill, NEVER leave the grill/open flame unattended and make sure it is clean, free from spider webs/dust and in proper working order ESPECIALLY before using for the first time. 3. Gloves/Masks/Wipes - please dispose of these items properly. Sanitation personnel and other workers should not have to clean up after you and you risk infecting others by leaving these items in shopping carts, on the ground, etc. 4. Maintain social distancing of at least 6’ when you go to the supermarket, for takeout food, the gas station, etc. whether you are wearing a mask or not. This is for your protection as well as those around you. 5. Be patient store clerks, supermarket workers, delivery people, truck drivers, utility workers and many others are working very hard to keep our lives as normal as possible, often placing themselves in danger of being exposed. We hope all of you are safe and continue follow the guidelines set forth by our elected officials. As always, we are here if you need us. Kevin Regan, PIO

At approximately 2:40 pm on Thursday April 9, 2020 the Wantagh FD responded to a call for wires down in the vicinity of 1860 Dover Rd. Upon arrival Chief of Dep...artment Ken Kelly reported live wires down across a fence and a shed between two houses. There was also a power outage in the area. First Assistant Chief Tom Bloomfield, Engines 1, 3 and 8 responded along with Ladder 1 while Engine 5 remained in quarters. Engine 1 hooked up to a hydrant and the crew stretched 1 hose line and stood by until the power was cut. Chief Kelly requested PSE & G Long Island to respond to shut the power in order to extinguish the fire. There was a crew from PSEG at the scene in approximately 45 minutes and power was cut to the live wires, allowing the fire to be extinguished. All units were on scene for approximately 1 hour and there were no injuries reported. The cause of the wires down was likely the heavy rain and high winds which we experienced overnight and throughout the day on Thursday. Wind gusts of up to 40 mph are predicted again tomorrow and we would like to remind everyone that if you experience any wires down near your home you should consider them to be live and stay away. If they are arcing or there is any fire visible notify the FD immediately. PSEG Long Island can be contacted at 1-800-490-0075 to report wires down. Photos by Bill VanLeer Kevin Regan, PIO

Thank you to everyone serving on the front lines of this war.

Recent announcements by the President and Governor regarding the Coronavirus situation indicate that this week will likely be a very difficult week as we approa...ch or are at the plateau. New York and Long Island continue to be one of the hardest hit areas in the United states. The timing also coincides with Passover and Holy Week, which are among the holiest times in the year for Jewish people and Christians. In addition, the weather forecast for the next few days indicates warmer temperatures and sunny skies. While it is difficult not to be with family and friends to celebrate holidays, especially when the weather is nice, it is critically important that we continue to isolate at home with immediate family. We urge everyone to continue to stay home and not go out of their homes or leave their property unless absolutely necessary. While going to the supermarket for food may be considered necessary, going to the park or Jones Beach is not. If you must go out, please take all necessary precautions including gloves and a mask to protect yourself and your family. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands and any items that you my have purchased at the grocery store if possible before entering your home. On Sunday Governor Cuomo mentioned that the death toll has decreased slightly. Although it is too early to tell if that is a positive sign regarding the effectiveness of social distancing and isolation, now is not the time to test that theory. We continue to be ready to answer Fire/Rescue and EMS calls and remain committed to our mission of service to our great community. If we all do what we can we will win this fight. Kevin Regan, PIO See more

Thank you for doing your part!

To Our Fellow Residents: The Wantagh Fire Department continues to closely monitor the latest information regarding the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak and wanted... to share information to better protect you, your family and our First Responders. We encourage all residents who are experiencing symptoms of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 to follow the CDC guidelines. Unless you are in severe distress, it is recommended that you stay home and self-quarantine. If you must go to the hospital and are able to travel by automobile, please do so. Transportation by ambulance will NOT get you seen by hospital personnel faster. If you are already quarantined (mandatory or self-imposed) in your home due to possible or confirmed Coronavirus/COVID-19 exposure, please notify the dispatcher when you call. We also ask that you place a sign/note on your door alerting our first responders to take additional precautions. If you see an ambulance or fire truck in your neighborhood, we ask that you please refrain from coming out of your home. This is for your Safety in order to minimize the potential transfer of the virus. We are taking these actions in order to protect our crews so that they can continue to meet the emergency needs of our community. If our First Responders are unnecessarily or accidentally exposed, they will have to be quarantined. If this were to happen, they would no longer be available to serve the community. In the event that we must respond to assist you, our members will be wearing protective equipment and practice social distancing while surveying your status from 6 feet away prior to patient treatment. In addition, surgical mask will be placed on you for further protection. The men and women of our department VOLUNTEER to serve our community. Please help us assist you by abiding by the guidelines that are being provided by Federal, State and local government. If we all work together, we will get through this. Thank you for your cooperation and stay healthy. Lisa Lang-Gross Social Media Liasion

Help is needed in Port Washington.