It's been a slow start with the Islip Fire Department so far, but on January 4th when I was home thanks to the snow storm, several other members of my fire company came by to help me dig out the driveway and the walkway. When we were all done I headed down to headquarters to participate in the standby. All I ended up doing was watch TV (Ohio State vs. Iowa basketball), have a snack, and help clean up the kitchen. When I was at the January company meeting, I was talking to other members and we agree that Engine Company 2 has the most patriotic members of the four companies: we have two members who will be deployed to Iraq in a few weeks, and there are several military veterans (like me) who served in other conflicts or eras. Over the Martin Luther King Weekend, I was able to go to fire school, where the chief taught us some the proper procedures to take care of Scot packs (masks). We have to know how to check to be certain that the air bottle is full, and make certain that there are no leaks, and that the face piece is in good condition. On Martin Luther King Day itself, I went to Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Bay Shore branch to deposit a check for $84.46 on behalf of the Rescue Squad. But the ATM in at this branch is not reliable, so I had to go to their branch in Central Islip, which is more state of the art and has two machines as opposed to one in Bay Shore. Later in the afternoon, I was able to meet with the Squad’s 1st lieutenant to research a possible fraudulent point of sale (POS) posted to the Squad’s account. After some research on the Internet, we finally concluded that it was a valid charge on behalf of the Squad. Then two days later when I got home I headed to Maxwell’s in town to be at a farewell bash for a fellow Engine 2 member who is being deployed to Iraq. While at Maxwell’s I had a hard cider and some pub grub and watched the Knicks-Grizzlies and Bruins-Canadiens games on TV. Every year all members of the Islip Fire Department are required to take a safety class sponsored by OSHA. The class stresses safety and ways to minimize injuries and death. The Department gave the first of the classes on January 28th, and I managed to attend along with a good number of the other members. After I left the dermatologist's office on January 30th, I headed to the Islip FD main house for coffee, As I was turning into the lot from Smith Avenue, I saw my company's engine being taken out from the barn, and guys responding with their blue lights. I knew we had a call. I got geared up and we headed to Timber Point Road in East Islip (mutual aid) for a smell of gas. There was no fire, but they did have to air out the house. On the morning of February 3rd, I was starting to enjoy my coffee when we got a call for smoke (food on the stove) down near the library. I geared up and got on 3-4-2 but, except for the can man who went inside the house to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, we just went out for a ride. On Sunday morning February 4th, I worked with a few other members of my fire company to do a rig check - all of the equipment on our engine posted at the Main House. With the 3 of us in the group detailed for February, plus another member lending a helping hand, we were done in less than an hour. Since this is a weekly detail for several of us company members, we did the same thing on the 11th at headquarters.
On Monday the 12th I went to the Engine 2 meeting, and also got credit for two calls that were banged out while I was still in transit. Before the meeting began I watched part of the Westminster Dog Show (the hounds part) and saw some gorgeous show dogs – including some breeds I never heard of. But most of the other members wanted to watch the Olympics, so I obliged and switched channels. 5 days later on Saturday I went to the firehouse for coffee like I always do, and then another company member and I worked on checking our 3-4-2 rig. No real changes from last week. In even numbered years we change administrations at the department level (new chief of the department) and at the company level (new captains). In those years the installation dinners are a bit fancier than in the midterm odd numbered years. On February 17th I went to the Huntington Hilton for the 2018 Installation Dinner, and on my way there it started to snow – just flurries then. For the main part the members lined up in the hallway and marched into the main room to the sounds of bagpipes and drums (taped). Then it was a salute to the flag, prayers, and then falling out. I was assigned to table #10. All the other guys were members of my company, but all younger than Eileen. They are all nice people, but I did visit the other side where some of my friends who are closer in age to me were assigned. Like in 2016 there was the photo machine that took 3 pictures in a session. I had two sessions for a total of 6 poses. After dinner there was the Viennese Hour where I had some ice cream, candy and coffee before heading home in more snow. Since every member of the Islip Fire Department is required to have an annual physical, we had the choice of going to their office in West Babylon or having it done at Headquarters. Since the doctor and medical technicians were coming to Islip on the evening of February 21st, I decided to take a half day off and be certain to be on time. I clocked out at 1 PM and walked to Penn, but missed the 1:22. However, I did not want a heart attack or stressing myself out and blaming everyone else for what is going on, so I did not rush across town. I called Ellen and she picked me up in Babylon when I got off of the 1:38 local. When I got home I changed and went to the firehouse to create an interim Squad treasurers report. After going to East Islip Lanes to watch Eileen bowl I headed over to headquarters for the department physical. There were several stations (blood work, breathing, EKG, eyesight checking the heart & lungs), and I was out in less than an hour. In talking with several other members, and one of the doctors, I may be in line for a hip replacement, thanks to the pain at my left femur and pelvis.
March 4th was the annual East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I headed to the firehouse and once there I had my usual coffee, and a roll for a very light lunch. The Department headed to East Islip at around 12:45 and then waited at the Bank of America parking lot, where we always step off form. While waiting we had some pizza (I washed it down with some Poland Spring water). I also got to talk to my old train friend Dana and her husband, and her daughter. She says it’s great working from home but misses the city. Before we stepped off I took some photos with Eileen’s camera, but it seems too complex and several photos did not come out. When the parade was over the Department went back to the firehouse. I did not stay but took some corned beef home to have for lunch the next day. My old friend Tom and his wife Eilish were at the house since they were at the parade with Ellen and Eileen, and in the evening, we were going to have dinner at the Blue Oyster in Islip. It is owned by the daughter and son in law of a member of my fire company. I had lobster bisque and then a lobster burger. Then on March 7th, we go t hit by a nor’easter. The weather was dreary in the morning and by late morning the wind, rain and wet snow started to come down. Since I knew that the LIRR was going to be messed up later in the day, I asked if I could leave early (12:45) and grab the 1:22 home. They said OK, and I used PTO to make up the hours. Anyway, all my loose ends were tied up. When I got home I rested for a little while and then headed to the firehouse, while the snow was coming down. While there I typed and e/mailed the company meeting minutes to the other officers, and then relaxed watched MLB-TV. Then it was a standby, and I did go on two calls (trees and/or wires down) so I got two riding points. The chiefs got us pizza and I enjoyed 4 slices and watched some more TV before heading home to shovel the 3 inches of snow from my driveway. Besides the meetings, I was busy with my fire company’s annual fundraiser – the Wild Game Dinner. We have been holding it at the West Islip firehouse since their meeting room is much larger (we got 305 people to come on March 24th). As part of the staff, I wound up doing several jobs/details: kitchen, setting up cheese & crackers plates, setting up kielbasa/salami plates, KP, sweeping out the bathroom, helping to sweep the meeting room floor, and taking trash out to our rack truck. The Company did order Chinese cuisine from the Long River Restaurant, so I was not super hungry when the courses were served. But I did try venison kielbasa and salami, buffalo shepherd’s pie, and quail. I passed on the black bear empanadas and rabbit Marsala since I was full (I had enjoyed rabbit, as well as black bear, before).
Since all organizations need money, on April 7th at around 4:30 I headed to the firehouse since that was the night for the Rescue Squad’s fundraiser – Psychic Jeffrey Wands was to conduct his sessions. I generally manned the ticket table by the door and was able to take a few pix with my cell phone. At the end of his talks and interactions I was able to shake hands with him and thank him for coming, and that I listen to him on Friday mornings on WALK-FM. Interesting that most of the attendees were women. After helping with the cleanup, I headed home around 11 PM.
During May my group in Engine 2 has the rig check detail of our North House apparatus. I did not get a chance to take part over the first weekend since it was on a Friday evening. But I did take part on May 12th, helping them run through the check list of items like Scott packs, pikes, fire extinguishers, hoses, and tools. A few items were missing so we reported it. Then the next day we had fire school at headquarters. A member of my company who is also a retired FDNY officer showed us how to work the "deck gun" - setting it up and aiming it at a fire. Our 1st lieutenant also went over hose laws with us. In mid-May there was some fire department activity: on May 19th I went out for a ride to an automatic alarm around the block from headquarters, and the next day another member of my company and I checked the equipment on our engine stationed at the North House, before I headed on to the main house for band practice, where only 8 guys showed up. On Monday and Tuesday I had the department and then the Rescue Squad meetings. Over the Memorial Day Weekend I worked with other members of my fire company to wax down our two engines, as well as the heavy rescue truck. Much of the real dirty work was done by the younger members. But I did help wash the chief's car. On Memorial Day itself I was up early from habit and after a shower, headed to the firehouse. The parade itself stepped off from Saxon Avenue at 10:30 and when ended at Town Hall. There were ceremonies and speeches from Town and County leaders, as well as the officers from my American Legion Post. After the services I walked over to the post for a snack (pizza and a hot dog) before walking back to the firehouse to go home.
There was fire school on June 10th morning, where the Chief took us to various commercial structures on Main Street and we all discussed how to fight fires in these types of structures. All but one have extensions and drops down from the main roof to the extensions. All would be dangerous to fight should a fire break out there. And the next day I went to my company meeting. I went to the monthly department meeting on June 18th, and while I was there the chief asked me if I would take the minutes for the meeting as the regular secretary was away. I said of course and did my best (using the growth mindset) and was able to take good notes and clearly read the prior month's minutes and the communications. Several other members congratulated me for a good job. On June 30 I was the Growers Market with Ellen and Eileen and while there I saw the chief’s car speeding west on Main Street. When I pulled into the driveway I heard the sirens from the alarms poles, so I went back to the firehouse and geared up for a structure fire on Willowbrook Court. I rode on the hook & ladder truck (#3-4-5) and ending up helping to pack hose, since we got there a bit late and I am an exterior firefighter. But I got a riding point.
Besides giving blood at the firehouse, I did attend my fire company's monthly meeting on July 9th. Pretty much the usual stuff, and we enjoyed sausages and peppers after the meeting. There was some fire department activity for me over the last weeks. On July 13th I was at the firehouse having coffee and as I was about to leave, we got an alarm for a brush fire on Utica Street, so I geared up. There were younger guys on the engine, so I really just went out for the ride, but I did help hook up the hydrant when we came back to re-fill the tank on the engine. Then after I put my gear away, I dropped my cellphone on the concrete floor, and the screen shattered – and the phone would no longer operate properly. Then the next day I went to the firehouse for coffee again and also went on a fire call – a motor or vehicle accident on Sunrise Highway. It was basically fender benders, but we still rolled, and the chiefs sent us back not long after we got to the scene. With no rest for the weary, on Sunday the 15th we had a call for a medical emergency at a firefighter’s house – a member of my company cut his hand and bled a bit. Mostly other Engine 2 guys there, but we did get two from the other company. After the ambulance left, some of us went back to the North House where we all signed in, and they had beer, while I had water. No more calls for me until the next Sunday, for a Delta medical call on Robbins Avenue – bleeding. I got there and met the 2nd Assistant Chief, and it turns out that the patient was having blood in his stools thanks to eating lots of hot wings at an eating contest at Dang BBQ. The crew transported him, and I went back to the Main House to sign in.
August is my group’s turn to do the rig check on the Company’s headquarters rig. I got there on Sunday morning and started at around 8:45. Two of the other members were working or away, so the 4th member was supposed to come down at 8:30 but was sleeping in after a night at a country music concert. But I got most of the equipment accounted for, with some help form the 1st lieutenant and some probies. I also got a point for the Hook & Ladder Company’s fire school. On August 8th I clocked in early, took 30 minutes for lunch, so I could clock out at 3:30 to get the 4:03 train home and go with the Islip FD to Yaphank for hands on training. Once there, I helped out at the hydrant, feed the hose line at the front of the building, and helped pack hose at the end (joys of being an exterior firefighter). My Nova Southern University tee shirt got super dirty thanks to the dirt on the hoses, as I had taken off my turnout coat since it was super-hot. I presume that it will get clean in a washing machine (it did). But I always have the NBA Store, Stony Brook, St. Joseph’s College, and the Internet to buy a replacement. 3 days later I returned to the firehouse at around 8:30 to have coffee and work on the rig check for our headquarters engine 3-4-2. One of the members of my group was already there and had started the check. I helped him with the rest of the truck, and a third member also pitched in. Just before we were completely done, we got an automatic alarm for the Northwell Imaging Office building on Main at South Bay Avenue. Three of us rolled on the other engine company’s rig to the scene, and the employees were waiting outside. The other two crew members went inside (interior firefighters) while I waited outside to be certain nobody stile the rig (nobody tried to), and I got to talk with the employees, including one whom I see regularly at St. Mary’s. On the morning of August 18th, I was up early from habit, and then a general alarm came over my pager for mutual aid to Exchange Ambulance for a cardiac arrest on Utica Street. I dressed and headed up to Utica Street and when I arrived, the family members told me that she had passed and there was nothing anyone else could do. I said that I was sorry to learn that and left for the North House to sign in. The next day I worked with the other guys in my group to check the equipment on our engine parked at headquarters. We got done fairly quickly and only had to arrange to have a spare air bottle re-filled. In August my company meeting is usually away from headquarters. We have had it at a marina, and also officers’ homes. This year it was at the home of our 1st lieutenant in Islip Terrace, so at 4 PM on the 25th I went to the LT’s house in Islip Terrace for the Engine 2 company meeting. Not a lot of guys showed up. But that meant more ribs, filet mignon, shrimp, and lobster for me. While there I learned that Senator John McCain passed away from brain cancer at the age of 81. RIP Senator. Like the prior week, I also had to help with the rig check on our engine stationed at the main house. Three of us got it done quite quickly on the morning of the 25th. There was more fire department activity in that there was fire school on August 27th, and then the Rescue Squad meeting on Tuesday the 28th. Before the meeting I got to ride on the engine to an automatic alarm.
Sadly, while I was at fire school on September 9th, the chief got a call that a former member of my company passed away in North Carolina at the age of 84. On the 13th I went to his wake at the local funeral home, and while I was too late to participate in the firematic service, I was able to sign the book and acknowledge the widow and one of the sons, who was also a member of Engine 2. The annual Islip Fire Department Picnic was held on September 15th at the Islip Town Beach. The chiefs asked members to help set up, so in the morning I joined several other members to do that. Then after that I came home to shower. Ellen did not want to go, so Eileen and I went down there to enjoy some pasta, shellfish, and BBQ chicken, and she got to say hello to several other Islip FD members and their families. We both had a good time. When we got home from the home coming events I headed over to the Jon Thomas Inn in Brightwaters to join several other Engine 2 members for dinner. They had gone fishing and since I don’t get along with open water, I just joined them for dinner. I had some Wicked Tea (spiked iced tea), potato soup, and a shepherd’s pie. There were also family style appetizers, so I was not able to finish the shepherd’s pie and took it home as a doggie bag (Sunday’s lunch).
In October, besides the meetings, I was able to participate in a mega millions poll with several other department members. The first drawing was on October 19, and nobody won anything. So it’s a second poll for the October 23 drawing. I managed to join the department on October 21 for a trip to the fire academy in Yaphank. Since I am an exterior firefighter, I did not go into the building to participate in any searches but did help fill the air bottles. There was no water used in the drill, we did not have to pack hose. On Monday we had fire-school in town, and the Chief showed us the layouts of several commercial buildings on Main Street near the firehouse. While I probably will not be climbing a ladder to the roofs of any buildings, it is still good to know what is out there. The day after that, the 23rd, was the rescue squad meeting. Not a lot of guys showed up, but we did conduct business and I got to watch Game 1 of the World Series.
On November 3rd, my company had its hose test with the North House engine. It was also my group's turn to do the rig check on that truck. I was the only one who showed up but I was able to do almost all of the rig check by myself during the hose test. We did the hose test on our main house engine on November 10th, so after my fire house coffee, I went to the Denver Avenue Track to participate. I helped packing hose but also did part of the rig check on our North House engine. I was off on November 14th and in the evening I went to the firehouse to join other firefighters who were going out to the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank for some hands-on training. Since my back and side still hurt, I helped the Fire Police Company members with re-filling air bottles.
On November 19th, it was the fire department meeting, and also uniform inspection. I did not wear it but brought it with me to change into. But the inspection was over when I got to the firehouse at 20:10. So all I did was go into the chiefs’ office and get a new belt. The Islip Fire Department played Hauppauge Fire Department on Thanksgiving morning (we used to play East Islip Fire Department) again, this time at Hauppauge High School. I met the players there and brought my camera, so I recorded part of the game, as well as the 4-legged fan base (only one dog made it). Since it was so frigid and I had to do some errands for Ellen, I left during the 2nd half, when Islip was leading 3-1 (they ended up winning 3-2). Since there are no field goals, safeties, or conversions, touchdowns count as one point.
On Monday evening (November 26th) I went to fire school and it was packed. The next day I was at the Rescue Squad meeting where we talked business and enjoyed some odd styles of pizza from Café Americano.
On December 1st, I was up early from habit and went to the firehouse for coffee and then upstairs to help other Engine 2 members make the donuts for the kids’ Christmas party.
On December 13th when I got home, I went to the fire house for the chief’s election. Even though I voted via absentee ballot, I showed up anyway to congratulate the winners (who ran unopposed), use the computer, get free eats, watch the Chiefs/Rams football game. And practice what I have been reading from Olivia’s book.
I was able to have both Ellen and Eileen accompany me to the Engine 2 Christmas Party at Shandon Court in East Islip on December 15. They had a good time until the DJ started to play shitty dance "music" which I feel is basically noise. Several other members left early because of it. But overall, we had a good time. On Monday it was the department meeting, and since it's also the Christmas Party, very little business was conducted, but we did have some great eats like good seafood and steak. I did not over indulge, despite what people in the other engine company may have said. After dinner I watched part of the Saints-Panthers game on Monday Night Football. Then the next evening it was the Rescue Squad meeting. Thee was minimal business conducted since it was the annual Christmas party. This evening it was good Italian cuisine. I also got to watch basketball on TV: Nets vs. Lakers, Connecticut vs. Drexel, and Women’s basketball – Mississippi State vs. Oregon.