On Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 1831 hours, M-LFD Companies 3 and 4 were toned out to 25 Watermill Lane in Zone 4. Deputy Chief Pitzer (8704) was the first unit to respond to the alarm and was immediately advised that an M-LFD Ex-Captain had called in the alarm and was on scene reporting a roof collapse at that location.

Deputy Chief Pitzer (8704) arrived on the scene and confirmed that he had a total roof and partial building collapse, as well as a ruptured natural gas line inside of the collapse zone. He requested the forthwith response of National Grid (27E/27G) to the scene, as well as the M-LFD Ambulance Unit, Rescue 8713, and Rescue 8757.

Engine 8740 and Tower Ladder 8744 were the first pieces of apparatus to respond, and once on the scene began performing searches of the collapse area. Once it was confirmed that all of the occupants were accounted for, Tower Ladder 8744’s bucket was setup so that a complete survey could take place of the collapse zone. The Town of North Hempstead Buildings Division, Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office, Nassau County OEM, and NCPD ESU were all on the scene.

The Port Washington Fire Department was requested to the scene with Rescue 8522 for the use of their confined space equipment, as well as their fiber-optic camera. The crew of R8522 worked with the crew of R8713 to further search through the voids of the collapse area using the camera.

Manhasset Command was operated by Chief of Department Uttaro (8705). Other units on the scene include Ladder 8743, Heavy Rescue 8730, Engine 8735, Rescue 8713, Rescue 8757, Ambulances 8769/8767, and Deputy Chief Dillon (8701). All units were released from the scene within two hours.

At 2247 hours, M-LFD Company #4 responded with Engine 8740 to the scene to stand-by while the Nassau County Fire Marshal, NCPD ESU, and Nassau County HazMat used a wrecker to remove several 30lb. propane tanks from within the collapse area.

On Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 2140 hours, M-LFD Companies 3 and 4 were toned out to 21 Briarfield Drive in Lake Success for a “structure fire”. Deputy Chiefs Pisani (8702) and Dugger (8703) were the first units to respond to the alarm, and were advised by GNVFC Operator 14 of a “reported structure fire through the Lake Success Police Department”. Deputy Chief Pitzer (8704) was the first unit to arrive on the scene and radioed “smoke showing”. No more than a minute later the Signal 10 was transmitted for a working house fire.

Engine 8735 and Ladder 8743 were the first two pieces of apparatus to respond and arrived on the scene within minutes. A 1” ¾ hose line was stretched by the crew of Engine 8735 to the front door, while the aerial ladder of Ladder 8743 was extended to the roof. The main body of fire was located in the attic and void spaces of the vacant house which was undergoing renovations. All fire was knocked down within thirty minutes due to an aggressive push with the hose line and quick vertical ventilation.

All five Manhasset-Lakeville Chiefs were on the scene, as well as Tower Ladder 8744, Engine 8740, Heavy Rescue 8730, Engine 8733, and Ambulances 8767 and 8769. The Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company responded as a F.A.S.T. with Ladder 8312, and M-LFD Company #5 was also toned out for manpower to the scene. After the fire was under control, the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office was requested to the scene for an immediate investigation. All units were released from the scene within two hours.

On Saturday, June 20th, 2009 at 1612 hours, M-LFD Companies 3 and 4 were toned out to 495 Great Neck Road AKA H-Mart for a reported vehicle fire in the parking lot. Once on scene, the crew of Engine 8735 stretched a 1” ¾ hose line and began knocking down the fire while the crew of Engine 8740 opened-up and overhauled the vehicle. Engine 8733 also responded, and all units were released from the scene within twenty minutes.

On Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 at 1547 hours, M-LFD Company #1 and the Ambulance Unit were dispatched to the intersection of Plandome Road and Summit Drive for a reported auto accident with aided. Deputy Chief Dillon (8701) was the first unit to respond and arrive on the scene, and advised that the accident was located on Summit Drive, and that there was an overturned automobile with one minor aided that had self-extricated.

The crews of Engine 8711 and Rescue 8713 stabilized the overturned vehicle, while the crew of Ambulance 8767 transported the aided to North Shore University Hospital. National Grid (27E) was asked to respond to the scene for a transformer that had come loose from an electrical pole that was involved in the accident. All units were released from the scene by Chief of Department Uttaro (8705) within twenty minutes.

On Friday, May 22nd, 2009 at 1945 hours, M-LFD Company #5, Heavy Rescue 8730 and the Ambulance Unit were toned out to the westbound Northern State Parkway between New Hyde Park Road and Lakeville Road for an overturned automobile with entrapment. Deputy Chief Pisani (8702) was the first unit to respond and arrive on the scene, and reported that he had a vehicle that had overturned several times and had righted itself with negative entrapment and one aided being transported by NCPD EMS. Rescue 8757 continued into the scene to help secure the vehicle and mitigate the debris in the roadway. All units were released from the scene by Deputy Chief Pitzer (8704) within fifteen minutes.

On Thursday, May 7th, 2009 at 2335 hours, M-LFD Companies 4 and 5 were toned out to 84 Meadow Woods Road in the Village of Lake Success. Chief of Department Uttaro (8705) and Deputy Chief Pitzer (8704) were the first units to respond to the alarm, and were advised by GNVFC Operator 8 that they were responding to “smoke in the house” called in by Lake Success PD.

While en-route, dispatch informed both Chiefs that LSPD Officers were now reporting a house fire at the address. Deputy Chief Pitzer (8704) arrived first on the scene and transmitted “smoke showing”, and when Chief Uttaro arrived a few seconds later he transmitted a Signal 10 for a working house fire.

On Saturday, April 18th, 2009, the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department held its 97th Annual Installation Dinner at the Long Island Marriot in Uniondale. The evening began with the Installation of Department Officers. Michael F. Uttaro was sworn in as the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department’s 39th Chief of Department by Commissioner Robert DeVito. This was followed by Commissioner Rudolfo Barranco swearing in the Deputy Chiefs, and Commissioner Andrew DeMartin swearing in the Department Fiscal Officers.

Being honored the night of the dinner was Ex-Chief Bryan O’Malley, who just finished serving ten years as a Chief Officer with the M-LFD. Ex-Chief O’Malley received recognition for his dedication and service from the department as well different villages and agencies. Four members were honored for 50 years of service: Ex-Chief Herman Wiegand (Co. #1), Ex-Captain Thomas Tranfaglia (Co. #1), Ex-President Dean Shaffer (Co. #4), and Firefighter James McInery (Co. #2); Ex-Captain Timothy Gould (Co. #4) was recognized for 25 years of service.

There was also a very special presentation to Firefighter Joseph Koncick, who was honored for serving 70 years with M-LFD Company #2. For the first time in the history of the M-LFD, Commissioner Robert DeVito presented Joe with a Deputy Chief’s badge, and he was declared an honorary Deputy Chief of the M-LFD.

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