Billy managed to make two fire schools in the beginning of 2017, and on the evening of the 14th, joined most of the other Islip Fire Department members at a firematic service for a 57 year member (and honorary chief) who had passed away 5 days before at the age of 94. One of the sitting chiefs, who was a close friend of the honorary chief, gave a very fine eulogy and at the end, the members gave a nice round of applause.
On Wednesday January 18th, Billy was off and in the evening had his annual fire department physical. The Department arranged for medical staff from the Department doctor's medical offices to visit headquarters and conduct them there. Several other members besides Billy took advantage of this. Billy hopefully is in decent health, but will stick to exterior firefighting now.
On the last weekend of January, Billy went on two signal 16’s – one on Boston Avenue, and the other on Geneva Street. The Rescue Squad took Geneva Street patient to Good Samaritan Hospital. As they were getting ready to head back, the members saw that a patient that Lindenhurst Fire Department brought in was a heroin case and was causing a commotion – fighting and all that. Shortly afterwards, on the way back to Islip, they heard that Brookhaven Fire Department had a heroin OD – 26-year-old girl, with the needle still in her arm. Later that morning Billy and Ellen talked about these cases and Ellen agreed that the shooters have nobody to blame but themselves – it was their choice to use the substance.
On Thursday February 9 Billy stayed home since Long Island got almost a foot of snow. Ellen and he dug out in the afternoon, with help from a neighbor with his snow blower. Once they were dug out Billy headed to the firehouse for a standby, and a few minutes after he got there several members returned from a call – picking up the huge American flag that fell off the flagpole at the Islip McDonald’s. It was all over Facebook and the news media visited the firehouse the next day to honor the guys. Well done. Far cry from 1970 when people thought that Billy was old fashioned and crazy for being angry when a flag touched the floor. On Friday it was back to work, but he said ‘TGIF’. After work Billy went to the West Islip Fire Department to help with the finishing the setting up for Engine 2’s annual Wild Game Dinner that was taking place on Saturday. And on Saturday February 11, he went to the West Islip Fire Department to help with running the Wild Game Dinner. He was assigned to the table that sold the challenger coins. While the entire cache was not sold, Billy did make several sales, especially when the buffet lines went past my table. After everyone left he helped with the clean-up and then with putting things away back at Headquarters. As always, the members enjoyed cigars after every function like this, and so they puffed away outside.
The dinner netted Engine 2 some decent funds. But there were some down sides to the fire service for Billy. The Chief of the Department got into an altercation at an awards dinner with a member of Billy's company, thanks to alcohol abuse. The Chief was suspended for 90 days, and the fate of the firefighter was not released. Then on February 23, Billy was reading Newsday's death notices and saw a fire department logo, and read the name of the decedent. It was a man who was a 30 year member of FDNY, a retired battalion chief, and a friend of Billy's parents, and several of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. This man came to Billy's mom's wake, so he felt that he had to go to the late battalion chief's - both as a friend of the family and as a brother firefighter. On Sunday February 26 Billy drove to the funeral home in Glen Cove to pay his respects. While Billy was in Glen Cove, Ellen & Eileen went to a concert at the Islip Library
On Sunday March 5th Billy donned his band uniform and headed to the firehouse to be there by 11:30. While he was at HQ, his friend Tom and his wife Eilish came to the house, and then they went with Ellen and Eileen to East Islip to watch the parade from a vantage point of Champlin Avenue & Main Street. It was chilly and windy, so Billy said that he was glad when the Islip Fire Department stepped off and marched from the Bank of America lot to St. Mary’s. Then the Department headed back to HQ for hot dogs and/or corned beef & cabbage. He did not stay since there was company at home, but did take some soda bread and corned beef home. Once home, Eileen helped herself to the soda bread, while Billy saved the corned beef for Monday’s lunch. When he got home I changed into more comfortable clothes. The 5 of them talked for a while and then headed into town to have dinner at Mango Tango, an Asian Fusion eatery on Main Street in Islip Village. The menu features dishes from various East Asian countries: Billy had Indonesian, Ellen & Eileen had Chinese, while Tom & Eilish had Japanese. They all enjoyed what they had, and Billy hopes to go there more often in the future.
Later on March 29th, Billy went to his firehouse to join several other firefighters for a drill at the Deer Park Fire Department training facility. Being exterior, he did not enter the building but did set up ladders in the first drill, and in the last one simulated (in pantomime) hooking up the hydrant from the front steamer connection. He also helped feed the charged line to the interior guys and before they we came home, he helped pack hose.
On the morning of April 2nd, Billy went to the firehouse for coffee, and then at 9 AM headed to the Denver Avenue track for fire school. There were several probies there so he had no need to gear up. But Billy does want to learn the pump panel, and watched another Islip firefighter (who is also a member of FDNY) as he showed Billy and 2 other company members how everything works. After the ladder truck (which was supplied with water from the engine) sprayed lots of water into the trees, they bled the hoses and packed them into the hose bed.
On the evening of April 15th, Bill's pager went off, announcing a structural fire on Nikia Drive, the main street in an older adults apartment complex. It was fully involved when he drove past the site to headquarters. While he missed boarding any apparatus, he was able to get into a van with 3 other firefighters, and headed to Nikia Drive and make their presence known. Being an exterior firefighter, Billy only got to stretch a line, and then help pack hose when the fire was out. The building was gone, but there were no injuries or fatalities.
A week later, on April 23, Billy was up early from habit again, and went to the firehouse for coffee. Since the required OSHA training was being given up in the meeting room, that is where he went. He also spoke with two members of his original company (Fire Police), one of whom is a bit concerned about President Trump and getting us into a war.
On May 13th, after dinner at home, Billy went to the Islip firehouse to attend the graduation party for son of one of the chiefs. Junior (he has the same name as his dad) recently graduated from the FDNY Academy (the valedictorian) and is now a probie with FDNY, stationed in Brooklyn. While Billy is not a member of FDNY or Junior’s company, he was invited to the get together, so he went down to enjoy a round, and later some cake, and watch a ballgame on MLB TV.
And when it rains it pours. On May 21, he was having coffee at the firehouse, like he does every Sunday morning. Just as he was about to leave, there was an alarm for a medical call on Maddox Avenue. Naturally he jumped into the ambulance and when a medically trained member arrived, they headed over. The patient was only a couple of years older than Billy, but looked much older, thanks to Lyme disease and other ailments. The crew transported the lady to Southside Hospital, and while they speaking to the nurses, another call came in. Once they were finished with releasing the patient to the Hospital, they promptly headed over to the location on Spruce Street. This time, it was a lady several years younger, but she had lupus and respiratory illness. Since a paramedic was at the scene, Billy and another member were not needed so they headed back to headquarters.
Every Memorial Day, the Islip Fire Department takes part in the annual Islip Town Parade. That means cleaning up the engines, trucks, and ambulances by washing them, waxing them, and painting the tools. So on Friday May 26th, the members of Engine 2 met at headquarters to wash down their two engines, including washing out the compartments where the engines tools are stored. Then on Sunday morning he helped with the finishing touches on the engines, and helped with waxing the two ambulances.
On Memorial Day Billy got up early from habit and put on his Islip Fire Department band uniform, since the Department was marching in the annual Islip Fire Department parade. But like last year, it would not stop raining, and the organizers (American Legion and AmVets) decided to call it off. Understandable, since there would be no one out on the streets thanks to the heavy rain. But like last year, the Islip Fire Department marched on its own, from headquarters to the Veterans Memorial next to Town Hall, and back. The Department also had a flag raining ceremony at headquarters, raising the flag first to full staff, and then to half-staff. When we got back to headquarters, everyone enjoyed some hot dogs and pretzels. Billy passed on beer or vodka, since Billy does not consider Memorial Day a time to celebrate. Since he and Ellen between them know three men who were killed in Vietnam, he naturally took time to remember the three men. RIP to Frank, Pierce, and Timothy.
The evening of June 3rd was Engine 2’s annual fundraiser, a Paint Night. Billy helped the company with setting up the night before (another reason he could not go to the convocation at St. John’s). When they got back from St. Johns he went down to the firehouse. It went well and the company made some money.
On June 16th, when Billy got home he put on his Islip Fire Department uniform and to head to the Overton Funeral Home for the firematic service for and ex-chief. But it was over by the time he got there, but he did sign the book, say a few prayers, and speak with his sons and widow. Then it was to the firehouse for pizza and Dr. Pepper.
There were not many fires for Billy to help put out, but on June 25 he put on a golf shirt and headed to the firehouse again to attend the 50-year dinner for a member of the Hook & Ladder Company and the marching band. And two days later, after he got home he went to the Rescue Squad meeting where the Squad dedicated a plaque on the newer ambulance (3-4-3) in honor of a member who had been with the Squad for over 50 years. This man is a member of Engine Company 2 (like Billy) and Engine 2 had a great turnout to honor a fellow “Red” (Engine 2 had red helmets until a few years ago).
On the afternoon of Independence Day Billy was at the firehouse when they got a call to head to the former Bi-County Auto Repair on Main Street. It turns out that a car crashed into the canopy and then into the door. Luckily there were no serious injuries, so the crew in the heavy rescue truck (which included Billy) just taped off the property and then returned to the firehouse. Then 3 days later Billy was at the firehouse planning to print a part of the Memory Book about his Maternal Family tree when then got an ambulance call at a house near Sunrise Highway. The patient was a mom who seemed to be suffering from a blood clot. She walked to the ambulance and then the Rescue Squad crew took her to Southside Hospital.
Unfortunately, it has become hard for Billy to realize that at 65+, he no longer has what it takes to keep up with guys less than half his age, and he learned that at fire school on July 9th. They had a drill where they were advancing an attack line, and exterior firefighter Billy was asked to help by feeding the line to the nozzle man and his backup. While squatting, he had to pick up the charged hose line and somehow, his back went "pop"! He would really feel the pain a few days later before he, Ellen and Eileen left for Pennsylvania.
Two weeks after popping his back, Billy was back at the training track to help the company with a drafting drill. Since he is now an exterior firefighter, he hopes to learn how to work the pump panel. After watching the instructor teach some of the other members, Billy got his chance to do it without the instructor telling him what to do. It was trial & error so he knows that he has to practice, and check out some videos on You Tube for guidance.
On August 6th, Billy participated in the Fire Police Company's drill where he learned how to work the cascade system that re-fills air bottles at working fires. That was the company he was in when he joined in 1985. And with age creeping up on him, he might return to that company in a few years.
Since the second Monday of every month is the fire company meeting, when he got home from work on the 14th Billy headed to the meeting. But this time it was not at headquarters, but at the Oakdale Yacht Club. Billy arrived after they conducted business (probably not much), but I was in time for the meal - clam bake cuisine (crabs, clams, oysters, corn on the cob) and they all watched the Mets-Yankees game (and the Yankees won).
The 4th Monday is fire school, so on August 28th, he went to the firehouse for training on how to use heavy rescue tools - mainly hoists and cables to move vehicles. He also had to drop off a blank check at the watch desk because a paramedic has to fill it out and send it to the New York Department of State so that the Department's Rescue Squad can be certified by New York State. On the 31st, he left work early for the Labor Day Weekend and when he was having coffee at the firehouse, a call came in from the County telling the Department of a medical call at a location on Ohio Avenue - the house of an emotionally disturbed person (EDP). Billy went with the lieutenant to the scene, and they were joined by another member who drive the ambulance. But all they did was talk to the patient and there was no transport. However, this scenario occurs quite frequently, even if it was Billy's first call there.
Since Billy was busy at work for much of September, he did not get a chance to do a lot with the Islip Fire Department. But on September 25th, he was able to participate in a drill at a condemned building where the Department conducted a live burn (with flares). He only got to feed the attack line, help fill air bottles, and pack hose. On the following evening, there was the Rescue Squad meeting and he had the chance to cut a check to repay the Captain for laying out money for refreshments.
On September 30th, he joined other members at the Montfort Missionaries grounds to help set up for department’s picnic. Later around lunchtime, the 3 of them went around 1:30 and stayed for a little over an hour. It was catered by Bull BBQ and Billy enjoyed ribs, pulled pork, macaroni & cheese, corn, and a hamburger.
When he got back to Islip Billy stopped by the firehouse for coffee, but before he could enjoy it, they got an alarm for a mutual aid call to Bay Shore. So Billy opted to go along with them and 5 firefighters rode on 3-4-2 to a street called Trim Court where it was mainly a smoke condition. Billy stayed outside but did help pack hose. When they got back to the firehouse he got to enjoy a new cup of coffee. Then on October 18th, in the evening he went to the Islip Fire Department’s main house for a standby with some other members of Engine 2 while neighboring district Islip Terrace sent some of its members to Yaphank. The guys watched the Yankees-Astros game and the Yankees won 5-0.
On Sunday November 22nd, in the afternoon he was at the firehouse when a brush fire was announced. It was on Sunrise Highway near the Marine Corps League building. So he joined other firefighters on the other engine company’s rig, but when they got there, the North House crew had it under control. So the South House guys went out for a ride, and Billy got a riding point.
On Thanksgiving morning Billy was up early from habit so he showered and watched TV before going to the firehouse for coffee and then to Islip High School‘s JV football field to watch the 2017 Turkey Bowl. This year Islip Fire Department’s flag football team played its counterpart from Hauppauge Fire Department. Naturally Billy brought his camera along and got to photograph several actions on the field, as well as some of the 4-legged fan base. While on the sidelines the battery in his digital camera went dead so he used his cell phone to continue to take pictures, eventually 12 in all. Billy said that this is the first time he stayed for the entire game, and when it was over he went to the firehouse for coffee and to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all who were there (both Islip and Hauppauge firefighters). It was next to the firehouse on Monell Avenue, where a car went out of control and crashed through the front gate and fence of the house right next door and stopped up against the next house. Luckily nobody was hurt.
On Saturday the 25th the Engine 2 guys decorated the North House substation. It consisted of putting up inflatable cartoon figures, lights along the shrubs, and lights along the doors to the apparatus bays. The guys did a nice job. A week later he was up from habit and went to the firehouse to have some coffee and then help several other Engine 2 guys make the donuts. He even tasted several, and they came out OK. The donuts were for the annual fire department Children’s Christmas Party.
On December 16th, Billy was enjoying after a free lunch at the firehouse when they got a call for a water main break on Bay 3rd Street. Billy wound up on the crew on an engine and when they got there, the water was spewing out from a hole at the curb and the street was warped. All that the firefighters could do was call the water authority and use fire line tape to cordon the area off (which Billy had the honor of doing). Later in the afternoon he tried to relax watching TV at home, but around 5:15 he got an alarm for a structure fire on Shebar Drive – a working fire. He did not make the trucks, so he put my gear into the back of his CR-V and drove there and geared up at arrival. It looks as if a humidifier caught fire, since it was on the grass and burned beyond recognition. There was a lot of acrid smoke, which anyone could smell outside. Since Billy is now an exterior firefighter, all he did was help pack hose. When he got back home he changed into something better and the 3 of them drove to Shandon Court restaurant in East Islip for the Engine 2 Christmas party. The band was good and so was the food was good, but it could have been a bit hotter. As party favors there was a bottle of Scrooge’s Revenge wine. Overall, Eileen enjoyed herself and was quite friendly to the other members and their guests. After coffee and dessert, they headed home.
After work today on December 18th, Billy went to the fire department meeting. It was the Christmas dinner, and he did enjoy a cigar afterwards and talked with other members – mostly Engine 2 guys, naturally. The Chief was offering the cigars to members. They had a choice of Honduran or Dominican cigars. Billy chose Dominican, since he mentioned to those around him, that the Dominican Republic has the best cigars outside of Cuba (thanks to the similar climate and soil), great beer (Presidente), rum (Brugal), and great baseball players (too many to mention).
On Boxing Day there was the Rescue Squad meeting, and since his train was late, Billy arrived after the brief meeting was over. While he never got to read the treasurer’s report, he did point out several things to the line officers that to him did not make sense. It turns out that someone in California may have used a debit card and charged it to the Squad. The 1st lieutenant used the Squad’s debit card by mistake to pay for a laundry charge. Billy will research and ask the Credit Union to investigate the California charge. The lieutenant will pay the squad back, as it was an honest mistake.