Melville Volunteer Fire Department

Melville Volunteer Fire Department The Melville Volunteer Fire Department is a group of men and women who volunteer to provide fire and emergency medical services 24-hours a day.

The Melville Volunteer Fire Department is a group of men and women who volunteer to provide fire and emergency medical services to the community 24-hours a day, every day. The area we protect is a political subdivision known as the Melville Fire District, which is governed by a Board of Fire Commissioners. The Melville Fire District is 15 square miles located in the middle of Long Island, NY and includes over 7,100 homes and 1,100 businesses. Located on the crossroads of the Long Island Expressway, Route 110 and the Northern State Parkway, we have over 250,000 people passing through the district each day. We respond to over 3,200 calls for help each year. The Melville Volunteer Fire Department was formed in 1947 when some local residents recognized the need for fire protection. We are now composed of three companies, a Rescue Squad and Fire Police Unit. We have over 120 members including some who respond strictly to medical emergencies. We sponsor Explorer Post #250 for youths 14 to 18 years old to get them involved with the fire department at an early age encouraging future membership. We are led by a Chief and three Assistant Chiefs who are elected by the members. The members of each Company, the Rescue Squad and the Fire Police Unit elect their own Captains and Lieutenants. Starting in 1960 we had the distinction of having a physician responding to calls with us. Over the years we have led the way in training and state of the art equipment, always striving to provide a better service to the community. In 1972 Melville was the first department in Suffolk County to purchase a Hurst Rescue Tool - soon to become known as “The Jaws of Life“. Originally designed to extricate race car drivers from crashes, this tool consisted of hydraulically powered spreader arms and a cutting attachment. Instead of a hand pump like the Porta-Power, this tool was powered by a five-horse power, gasoline engine. With a little practice, Melville’s members found that this tool made the old extrication tools and techniques obsolete. Word of the new tool spread throughout the county and we found ourselves being called for mutual aid whenever extrication was needed. The familiar pulsating sound of the two-cycle engine let everyone know that it was a “Tool Job”. This tool and its imitators have become standard equipment on all rescue vehicles world wide. In 1973 we were the first fire department in Suffolk County to participate in the Cardiac Emergency Technician program with our neighbors in Nassau County. By doing this, we progressed from simply maintaining a patient’s condition to actively improving it prior to arrival at the hospital by providing advanced care. This was often referred to as “bringing the hospital to the patient”. This program has since evolved into the A-EMT program that has helped save countless lives and had a tremendous impact on patients and their families. In addition to responding to emergencies, our members spend many hours training for every possible type of emergency. Training classes include all aspects of fire fighting, emergency medicine and rescue. In addition to our in-house training program, our members travel around the county and around the country seeking out seminars and training programs that will further their capabilities. We also spend much time educating the public through our fire safety programs, open house and first aid classes. It’s a sure sign that school is in session when the firehouse starts filling with children learning about Stop, Drop and Roll, Operation E.D.I.T.H. and other fire safety information. When we take a break from responding to and preparing for emergencies, we have sponsored championship softball and record setting fire department racing teams. Through our growth and the many changes over the years one thing has not changed - We are still dedicated to the protection of life and property and providing a service to the community that is unmatched.

The Melville Fire Department reflects on September 11th 2001 on this 25th Anniversary. We will never forget those who we...
09/11/2026

The Melville Fire Department reflects on September 11th 2001 on this 25th Anniversary.

We will never forget those who we lost that day, and those we have lost since due to related medical conditions.

In the late evening hours of August 12th Melville Fire department was notified for a motor vehicle accident with entrapm...
08/13/2026

In the late evening hours of August 12th Melville Fire department was notified for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Upon arrival, Chief Barclay stated one person was confirmed trapped and the vehicle was against a telephone pole. Crews from 2-5-12 and 2-5-7 arrived and quickly extricated the patient. All units were back in service within an hour.

On the evening of August 10th, the Melville Fire Department was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident involving two ve...
08/11/2026

On the evening of August 10th, the Melville Fire Department was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles that were actively on fire.

Upon arrival, Chief Kaplan confirmed two fully involved vehicle fires. Engines 2-5-4 and 2-5-7 quickly deployed hand-lines, extinguishing both vehicles.

All units were back in service within one hour.

smoke_showing_media

On the evening of August 9th, the Melville Fire Department was notified for a barbecue fire that had possibly extended t...
08/11/2026

On the evening of August 9th, the Melville Fire Department was notified for a barbecue fire that had possibly extended to the residence.

Upon arrival, Chief Tavares confirmed that there was no exposure issue to the residence. However, an active propane tank was on fire. Chief Kaplan requested the Hicksville Fire Department Hazmat Team to respond and assist with safely burning off the remaining propane from the tank.

All units operated on scene and were back in service within two hours.

Units on scene
2-5-31
2-5-33
2-5-1
2-5-4
2-5-8
2-5-44
2-5-45
2-5-14
9303
9312
Hicksville Fire Department
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In the early morning hours of July 26, the Melville Fire Department was dispatched on a mutual aid assignment to assist ...
07/29/2026

In the early morning hours of July 26, the Melville Fire Department was dispatched on a mutual aid assignment to assist the Wyandanch Fire Department with a structure fire. Chief Taveras and Engine 2-5-7 responded promptly and assisted operations on scene. All Melville units were back in service within two hours.

On the morning of July 18, the Melville Fire Department was notified for a dual response to Sarah Drive in East Farmingd...
07/19/2026

On the morning of July 18, the Melville Fire Department was notified for a dual response to Sarah Drive in East Farmingdale for a reported commercial structure fire.

Upon arrival, Chief 2-5-31 advised that the incident involved a large scrap metal fire in the rear of a commercial building. Engines 2-5-4 and 2-5-7 responded and assisted with fire suppression operations, while our Drone Unit provided aerial support to help locate remaining hot spots.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies, the fire was brought under control, and all Melville units returned to service within approximately three hours.

The Melville Fire Department recently hosted a Paratech heavy lifting and stabilization training course. Participants ga...
07/12/2026

The Melville Fire Department recently hosted a Paratech heavy lifting and stabilization training course. Participants gained hands-on experience with advanced techniques to handle complex rescue scenarios. Thank you to everyone who attended and worked hard to sharpen their skills!

The following departments were in attendance
Plainview Volunteer Fire Department
commack_fd
halesitefiredepartment
manorfire
Jericho Fire Department
West Islip Fire Department
longbeachfire
centerportfiredepartment
dixhillsfd
bohemiafirerescue
northbellmorefd
Norwalk Connecticut Fire Department

07/08/2026
On June 5th, at 13:51, the Melville Fire Department received reports of a structure fire on Northgate Circle. 1st Assist...
06/06/2026

On June 5th, at 13:51, the Melville Fire Department received reports of a structure fire on Northgate Circle. 1st Assistant Chief Kaplan was first on scene and transmitted the Working Fire.

Engine 2-5-4 was first due, on scene in 6 minutes with water on the fire 1 minute later. Ladder 2-5-1 followed in second due and performed primary searches to check for extension into the homes. Additional units assisted with searches, extinguishment, and overhaul. Due to the rapid response and aggressive attack, the fire was extinguished prior to making it into the rest of the residence, and was isolated to the garages of the units.

Melville Units on Scene: 2-5-1,4,7,13,17,25,28,29,30,31,32,35,45,MEDIC2

The fire was placed under control about 35 minutes after activation. All units on scene were under the command of Chief of Department Barclay.

We would like to thank all the departments that responded mutual aid to our working fire, and Syosset FD, Huntington Community First Aid Squad, and Deer Park FD for handling 3 alarms while standing by.

Mutual Aid Units On Scene:
9503,9533
2-8-8
2-4-5,2-4-33
1-5-4
926,929

PC:
Melville Fire Department, , ,

Address

531 Sweet Hollow Road
Melville, NY
11747

Telephone

+16314232635

Website

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