Progress Report: New York

March 1, 2005
Coverage of a fire and explosion that leveled a Long Island car dealership; plus the latest “Hot Spots on the Web.”
More than 100 fire-rescue personnel were operating on the scene with 35 emergency vehicles.
Photos by Steve Silverman A triage area was established on the lawn of Huntington Manor Station 3, located opposite the dealership. Nine patients were transported to a hospital; six were treated and released that night, the others were released the following day. Huntington Station, NY, Oct. 12, 2004 – The Huntington Manor Fire Department, assisted by numerous neighboring fire departments and other agencies, responded to an explosion and collapse at the Habberstad Nissan Pre-Owned Cars dealership on East Jericho Turnpike. The incident injured nine employees, some of whom were trapped in the debris and rescued by firefighters and civilians.

Huntington Manor units were dispatched to the 3:51 P.M. incident with four pumpers, three heavy rescues, a quint and the technical rescue truck, led by Chief John Glidden and Assistant Chiefs Rob Herley and Mark Sciallo. About 10 minutes into the call, but after all the injured were removed, the building erupted into flames. Mutual aid for ambulances, engines, heavy rescues and a ladder truck were requested from the Centerport, Dix Hills, East Northport, Greenlawn and Melville fire departments, Huntington Community First-Aid Squad and Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Standby fire and ambulance coverage was provided by the Cold Spring Harbor, Deer Park, East Farmingdale, Halesite, Huntington and Plainview fire departments.

The Suffolk County Arson Squad determined that the blast was caused by a leak in a natural gas main. The gas apparently seeped into the building’s basement and was ignited by the oil burner. Glidden declared the incident under control at 9:07 P.M., and units remained on scene until 1:15 A.M. —Steve Silverman

“Hot Spots on the Web”

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This month: Firefighter Health & Fitness

911 Fitness http://www.911fitness.com/Fitness equipment, trainer certification and more.All Refer.com Health http://health.allrefer.com/Comprehensive health site, medical dictionary, etc.Canadian Firefighter Fitness http://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/Fitness/fire_fitness/index.aspCanadian Forces Personnel Support Agency.Components of Firefighter Fitness http://www.bedsfire.gov.uk/recruit/Compfirefighterfitness.htmInformation on firefighter fitness from the U.K.Dr911.com http://www.dr911.com/Focused on healing of public safety providers.Firefighter Fitness.com http://www.firefighter-fitness.com/Workout, photo gallery and T-shirts.Fire Jock http://www.firejock.com/Fitness tips for women firefighters.FirefightersWorkout.com http://www.firefightersworkout.com/Workout information for firefighters and more.Fitness for Firefighters http://www.wfsi.org/fitness.htmlFitness information from Women in the Fire Service.Mesa, AZ, Fire Department Wellness Program http://www.cityofmesa.org/fire/humanmed/Wellness/Fitness_Evaluations.aspFirefighter fitness and evaluation program.NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program http://healthy-firefighter.org/Toward reducing firefighter deaths from heart attacks.NJ Fire/EMS Lifeline http://www.njfireemslifeline.net/A new free 24-hour confidential Fire/EMS hotline.USFA Research http://www.usfa.fema.gov/research/safety/fitness.shtmResearch on wellness and fitness initiatives.

Submitted by Deputy Chief Charles Werner Charlottesville, VA, Fire Department Firehouse® Magazine contributing editor Firehouse.com TechZone Editor

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