Center Moriches Firefighters Return from Sandy Deployment ...

 
By Ex Chief Bill Renzetti
November 20, 2012
 

On Sunday November 18th eight firefighters from the Center Moriches Fire Department were deployed to the City of Long Beach, in Nassau County New York. This deployment was part of a massive ongoing mobilization of firefighters from across the northeast to help struggling fire departments in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Center Moriches firefighters left 06:00am on Sunday with a Tower Ladder and spent 24 hours stationed at Long Beach Fire Station No. 2 on West Park Ave & Indiana Avenue in the City of Long Beach. Center Moriches Firefighters worked alongside other firefighters from Levittown and Mineola who were also assigned to cover the Long Beach Community.

Long Beach is located on the westernmost outer barrier islands off Long Island's South Shore in Nassau County.

Many of the 30,000 plus residents of Long Beach lost their homes or the contents of their homes due to the flooding from the storm surge of Hurricane Sandy.

The entire city of Long Beach is still under a mandatory evacuation except during daylight hours when people could sort through their belongings. Hundreds of residents are still without power.

The City of Long Beach fire department lost all of their fire apparatus during the storm. At the peak of the storm, members of Long Beach Fire Department Station 2 had to retreat to the second floor of the firehouse after the first floor was flooded with over 3 feet of water. They watched out the windows as their personal cars floated down the street.

Most of the 165 volunteer members of the Long Beach Fire Department have been displaced since Hurricane Sandy. They are trying to take care of their own homes and families during this difficult time. Almost every volunteer firefighter from Long Beach Station 2 had their home damaged or destroyed.

As a tribute to ALL Long Beach Firefighters every fire company that stayed at the Long Beach Fire Department Station 2 signed "The Wall" in the bunk room with words of encouragement and support.

It was our honor to help these brave people in their time of need …
 
Center Moriches Firefighters Deployed to the City Of Long Beach Fire Department Located In Nassau County.
Center Moriches Firefighters Deployed to the City Of Long Beach Fire Department Located In Nassau County.
 
Center Moriches Firefighters met up with firefighter’s from the Huntington Township at the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa. The convoy of fire trucks made a stop at the Island Park FD to drop off the Huntington firefighters before heading into Long Beach.
Center Moriches Firefighters met up with firefighter’s from the Huntington Township at the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa. The convoy of fire trucks made a stop at the Island Park FD to drop off the Huntington firefighters before heading into Long Beach.
 
Island Park Fire Department was another FD devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Relief crews have been covering the local community and the Fire Department since the storm.
Island Park Fire Department was another FD devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Relief crews have been covering the local community and the Fire Department since the storm.
 
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As firefighters from Center Moriches entered the City of Long Beach it didn’t take long to see the damage caused by the storm
As firefighters from Center Moriches entered the City of Long Beach it didn’t take long to see the damage caused by the storm
 
House after house residents were piling up personal belongings outside their homes for garbage trucks to take away.
House after house residents were piling up personal belongings outside their homes for garbage trucks to take away.
 
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A command board was used to keep track the companies filling in at the Long Beach Fire Department Station No. 2
A command board was used to keep track the companies filling in at the Long Beach Fire Department Station No. 2
 
Hot meals were served at the firehouse every day to the firefighters and police officers covering the Long Beach area. NY State troopers were also called in to assist the LBPD since their fleet of police cars were destroyed in the storm.
Hot meals were served at the firehouse every day to the firefighters and police officers covering the Long Beach area. NY State troopers were also called in to assist the LBPD since their fleet of police cars were destroyed in the storm.
 
Many fire companies have stayed at the Long Beach Fire Department No. 2. Over the past several weeks “THE WALL” as it has become known is an area in the meeting hall where these companies have left words of encouragement and support. This will no doubt become a special part of history with the City of Long Beach Fire Department.
Many fire companies have stayed at the Long Beach Fire Department No. 2. Over the past several weeks “THE WALL” as it has become known is an area in the meeting hall where these companies have left words of encouragement and support. This will no doubt become a special part of history with the City of Long Beach Fire Department.
 
"THE WALL" grows each day as new companies are rotated in.
"THE WALL" grows each day as new companies are rotated in.
 
The meeting hall of the Long Beach Fire Department was turned into a bunk room housing over 25 firefighters every night
The meeting hall of the Long Beach Fire Department was turned into a bunk room housing over 25 firefighters every night
 
The red arrow points to the high water mark on the inside of the bay doors of the firehouse. The 1st floor of Station 2 had close to 4 feet of water in it
The red arrow points to the high water mark on the inside of the bay doors of the firehouse. The 1st floor of Station 2 had close to 4 feet of water in it
 
In the days since Hurricane Sandy hundreds of flood-damaged vehicles line the streets of Long Beach
In the days since Hurricane Sandy hundreds of flood-damaged vehicles line the streets of Long Beach
 
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A temporary fix to the dunes: a line of sand has been added in front of dunes until more permanent repairs can be made
A temporary fix to the dunes: a line of sand has been added in front of dunes until more permanent repairs can be made
 
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During some down time, firefighters from Center Moriches had the chance to see the damage first hand at the beach and boardwalk area.
During some down time, firefighters from Center Moriches had the chance to see the damage first hand at the beach and boardwalk area.
 
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Long Beach has a boardwalk that stretches over two miles along the Atlantic Ocean; this is what the boardwalk looked like before Hurricane Sandy.
Long Beach has a boardwalk that stretches over two miles along the Atlantic Ocean; this is what the boardwalk looked like before Hurricane Sandy.
 
After Hurricane Sandy, nearly the entire length of the boardwalk has been destroyed or sustained serious damage.
After Hurricane Sandy, nearly the entire length of the boardwalk has been destroyed or sustained serious damage.
 
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Due to problems with the city’s sewer systems portable bathrooms can be found on every other corner throughout the city
Due to problems with the city’s sewer systems portable bathrooms can be found on every other corner throughout the city
 
Firefighters respond to the scene of a commercial structure fire at a local Laundromat on East Park Ave off of Long Beach Blvd. While the tower ladder was being set up, Center Moriches firefighters were sent to the second floor to check for fire extension in the above offices.
Firefighters respond to the scene of a commercial structure fire at a local Laundromat on East Park Ave off of Long Beach Blvd. While the tower ladder was being set up, Center Moriches firefighters were sent to the second floor to check for fire extension in the above offices.
 
Engine crews found clothes burning in a dryer. The burning clothes were removed and extinguished. All units were back in service within ½ hour
Engine crews found clothes burning in a dryer. The burning clothes were removed and extinguished. All units were back in service within ½ hour
 
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Center Moriches FD 75’ Mack Aerialscope was envied by many firefighters on it's journey to assist the LBFD in there time of need.
Center Moriches FD 75’ Mack Aerialscope was envied by many firefighters on it's journey to assist the LBFD in there time of need.
 
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Center Moriches firefighters responding to the call for a smell of smoke in the area had to walk down the block with their tools to get to the area due to the amount of debris piled up in the roadway
Center Moriches firefighters responding to the call for a smell of smoke in the area had to walk down the block with their tools to get to the area due to the amount of debris piled up in the roadway
 
Large mountains of sand line East Broadway by Long Beach Boulevard. The sand which was collected off the streets of Long Beach will eventually be used to replenish the dunes alone the beach.
Large mountains of sand line East Broadway by Long Beach Boulevard. The sand which was collected off the streets of Long Beach will eventually be used to replenish the dunes alone the beach.
 
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Hurricane Sandy covered the streets in 2 to 3 feet of sand throughout the city
Hurricane Sandy covered the streets in 2 to 3 feet of sand throughout the city
 
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Long Beach engine sits on the side of the road across from the firehouse, out of service due to flood damage.
Long Beach engine sits on the side of the road across from the firehouse, out of service due to flood damage.
 
Center Moriches Fire Department Tower Ladder and its crew proudly serve the residents of the City of Long Beach.
Center Moriches Fire Department Tower Ladder and its crew proudly serve the residents of the City of Long Beach.
 
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Almost every volunteer firefighter from the City of Long Beach Fire Department had their home damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Since that time hundreds of firefighters from around the country have answered the call for help … We do it because it’s who we are, and what we do, and what we are made of. The Center Moriches Firefighters were honored to stand at your side.
Almost every volunteer firefighter from the City of Long Beach Fire Department had their home damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Since that time hundreds of firefighters from around the country have answered the call for help … We do it because it’s who we are, and what we do, and what we are made of. The Center Moriches Firefighters were honored to stand at your side.