Wantagh Fire Department
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wantagh Fire Department (WFD) is a volunteer fire department headquartered in Wantagh, New York. As one of the largest fire districts in Nassau County (13 square miles), it is responsible for parts of neighboring Bellmore, Levittown and Seaford hamlets as well as Jones Beach Island. The Wantagh Fire Department has approximately 225 members using 18 pieces of apparatus located throughout 7 Stations.[1]
The Chief of the Department is George Krant.
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[edit] History
In December of 1899 group of 21 residents of the then small community of Wantagh met for the purpose of forming a Fire Department. A Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State on January 2, 1900, thus incorporating "Wantagh Hook and Ladder Company #1. At a meeting held on July 5, 1900, a proposal was made "that a paper be drawn to solicit subscriptions for the purchase of a “truck". A committee to raise funds was appointed, and after a very successful dinner and dance the department had more than enough for a truck.
At the end of 1900 after one year of operation the membership totaled approximately 40 members.The possibility of forming a Fire District was finally realized in 1922 with the formation of the Wantagh Fire District.
In 1953, the Wantagh Fire Department consisted of three firehouses. Headquartered (presently Wantagh Auto Body) on Railroad Avenue facing the Long Island Railroad Tracks, which were not yet elevated. Station 2 was a two car garage on Wantagh Avenue near General Douglas MacArthur High School and Station 3 was a two car garage on Neptune Avenue in Seaford Harbor.As the suburban area developed some New York City firefighters moved to the suburbs and many joined the Wantagh Fire Department.
During the month of August in 1954 a United States Air Force fighter while traveling from Delaware to Massachusetts crashed into the middle of the street on Denver Road in Wantagh. The crash and ensuing fire damaged some 30 homes on Denver Road, Dover Road and Roxbury Avenue.
In 1964, the Jones Beach Boardwalk Restaurant was destroyed by fire. As a result of the restaurant fire, New York State contracted with the Wantagh Fire Department to protect Jones Beach State Park, while the Town of Oyster Bay contracted with the Department to protect Tobay Beach.
On September 18, 1999 the Wantagh Fire Department held its 100th Anniversary Invitational Parade.
FDNY and WFD Firefighter Lee S. Fehling, 28, of Wantagh died in the September 11, 2001 attacks.[2]
[edit] Board of Fire Commissioners
The Board of Fire Commissioners consists of five unpaid elected officials, who serve a five year term. The board meets on a monthly basis to make procedures, policies and oversee the fire district.
- Chairman- Don Snyder
- Commissioner- Craig Craft
- Commissioner- Jay Cohen
- Commissioner- John Gillen
- Commissioner- William K. Field IV
[edit] Stations
- Station 1 - District Headquarters located on 3470 Park Avenue, Wantagh.
- Station 2 - located on 844 Wantagh Avenue, Levittown.
- Station 3 - located on 2529 Neptune Avenue, Seaford.
- Station 4 - located on 1191 Alken Avenue, Seaford.
- Station 5 - located on 2589 Merrick Road, Bellmore.
- Station 6 - Chief's Office and Training Center located on 2995 Jerusalem Avenue, Wantagh.
- Station 7 - District Offices and Dispatch Center located on 2045 Wantagh Ave, Wantagh.
