12/08/2024
Please come out to support your local volunteers next week!
ABOUT THAT FIRE DEPARTMENT VOTE THIS TUESDAY
By John Bogack, editor
We’ve reached out to the Patchogue Fire Department and one other person for some back ground ahead of this Tuesday’s vote. The big item on the ballot is whether to approve a bond to purchase a new fire truck at a cost of 1.8 million dollars. That is a lot of money. Here’s some information about what that money is going to buy. It’s a breakdown of what equipment will be on that truck and how it will be deployed if needed.
FOAM UNIT: FIGHTING FUEL TRUCK/RAIL FIRES/MARINA BOAT FIRES/HOMEOWNER IMPACTS
This is a specialty fire apparatus that is specific to fighting fires that require foam to extinguish. The original foam unit was built for the district originally to handle the bulk fuel depot at Swezey Fuel Company in the event of an emergency. Today, there are many fuel tankers and some rail cars that traverse Patchogue village every day and in the event of a spill or fire, foam is the only viable option when it comes to suppression.
There are multiple boat marinas that are protected by the Fire Department and fiberglass requires foam for its suppression during a fire, so that is one side of the truck, the other is compressed air. When using a compressed air/foam combination during a structure fire, water damage is cut in half to that structure as this pumper compresses water and foam to put a fire out quicker with less water.
This keeps damages to a homeowner to a minimum on a small or medium sized fire in a home.
SMALLER TRUCK, BIGGER IMPACTS
The current engine has become too large for the fire district. The village is much more populated, and streets have become narrower, requiring a shorter engine to provide the same foam suppression capabilities. Shortened in length to address the busy and developing geography of Patchogue.
NEW TECH
Due to its age, repairs are now becoming costly with some parts no longer easily found or at a high cost. The new fire engine foam unit will bring the previous foam unit capabilities to modern times and will last many more years due to new technology. With new technologies, a safer and more efficient way of fire extinguishment for volunteer firefighters will be provided.
COST KNOCK DOWNS POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE
While the bond amount authorizes 1.8 million dollars there is some possibility the final cost may be lower. For example, the resale value of the current fire engine foam unit being replaced, would reduce the cost of the new fire engine foam unit.
This editor’s thanks to various sources inside and outside of the Patchogue Fire Department who provided the information in this post, re-edited for conciseness and clarity. Those sources, hopefully all ranks and position accurate: Stephen LoDolce, Deputy Chief recently elected to become Chief in Jan. 2025, and Ryan Murphy, Chairman Patchogue Fire District, and Terry Johnson, Commissioner, and Lieutenant Brian Jagde from Engine Company No. 1. And resident Diane Poulos. And last but not least. Joe Arabia Jr., former Chief and original designer for the Compressed Air and Foam Pumper (truck up for replacement if approved).
Now of course what remains is voting! The Patchogue Fire District election is this Tuesday December 10th from 6-9pm at the main fire station located at 15 Jennings Avenue. Any registered voters within the Patchogue Fire District can vote. In addition to the two elected positions on the ballot, there is a bond vote to purchase a new fire engine foam unit the subject of this post.
Graphic today: a rendition of the proposed fire truck to be bought if approved by the voters.
More info about the vote:
https://patchoguefd.com/event/patchogue-fire-district-fire-commissioner-election-bond-referendum/
