Fair Harbor Lights
By Laura Tichler and
Jacqueline Haberfeld

Not that we’re encouraging you to play with matches or anything, but Fair Harbor has a new shiny red fire truck! It’s so fancy! Hoses! Dials! Graphics! Ladders! Electronics! You name it, this truck has got it! A lengthy interview with Scott Cherveny (FHFD Fire Chief), Brett Roberts and Merry (like Christmas) Fisher (Social and Entertainment Committee Members) yielded the following fascinating tidbits:

The new pumper truck was build in Toronto by Seagrave, and delivered to Rescue Vehicles on the mainland, which in turn delivered it to Fair Harbor on Saturday, August 5. Rescue Vehicles “pimped our ride” with a radio, lights, and lettering. The new Fair Harbor truck is just like two of the trucks in Ocean Beach, except that it’s specifically tailored for use in Fair Harbor. “Our” truck has a tighter turning radius, longer hose lengths, and fewer ladders, to accommodate Fair Harbor’s unique needs. By the time all is said and done, this truck will cost the community almost $200,000, but it will have been worth it. The truck has an estimated life of twenty years. (It’s replacing a 1961 Willy’s Jeep!) Thanks to Bobby Chinkel, the Chair of the Truck Committee for doing most of the work in obtaining it. Now the truck will go off for additional graphics (woo hoo), and be back in time to star in the Fair Harbor Labor Day parade. The addition of this truck will bring our total number of emergency vehicles up to three pumper fire trucks and one ambulance. The FHFD’s response time is already the best in Suffolk County, and one of the best in the entire State of New York. (You can’t see us, but we’re practically bursting with pride.)

Do you know how hard these guys and gals train? Do you? Well, the answer is HARD. They take a basic Firefighter 1 class, which requires 90 hours of classroom work and eight hours of field work, to train potential firefighters how to do all kinds of cool things like hydraulics, laddering, breathing apparatus, and smoke awareness. (They don’t really need special training for that – they could just stand downwind of the Saltaire incinerator, but that’s a story for another column.) Active firefighters take refresher courses every year, including the hazmat one where they probably get to wear those cool silver outfits. It’s a lot of work for them, and we’re really appreciative of them all for doing it.

The FHFD currently has 52 active firepersons, and seven Emergency Medical Technicians. (Note: All of Suffolk County’s police are EMT certified, but the FHFD could really use a year-round EMT. The FHFD only has one, and he’s afraid to leave the beach in the off-season!) Apparently, we’re really getting our money’s worth out of the EMTs this year. As of the first week of August, there had already been 27 medical calls. Last year, there were only 35 all season, so predictions are that we will bypass that number any day now. (Rather than actually trying to beat that number, may we suggest that you all try to keep your bikes on the walks, don’t jump off the lifeguard stands, and definitely try not to have any allergic reactions, strokes or heart attacks? Thanks.) Due to increased number of EMTs, FHFD is now New York State Certified as a transport unit. (Translation: Patients no longer need to be transferred to a Saltaire ambulance to be taken off-island in an emergency.) Overall, this community can really be comfortable knowing that we have such a great Fire Department and emergency medical staff.

On the topic of firefighters, we would like to wish Jesse Ostrow a happy 60th birthday. Jesse was born on Fire Island and was raised by deer until he was 12. The deer did pretty well considering that he is now third Assistant Chief of the FHFD and head of the EMTs, although he can still occasionally be seen early in the morning foraging through people’s garbage. Happy Birthday, Jesse!

“My kids slept late,” “It looked like rain,” “I got food poisoning.” These are just some of the excuses from people when NO ONE showed up for the children’s bay clean up on Sunday, July 31. Well, you all have a second chance, because another clean up gathering is being organized for this Sunday, August 13. So, grab the kids and come on down to the bay beach on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Latex gloves will be supplied. We’ll clean up for half an hour and then retire to Pioneer for a pretzel to celebrate a cleaner bay beach.

Speaking of children and the bay, thanks to Beth Tichler, new swings have been ordered for the playground and should be installed soon. And speaking of the Tichlers, (why do they get all the press?) Howie Tichler’s beautiful photographs of Vietnam can be seen hanging at Le Dock. Make a “res” and go check them out.

Would you like to have a balloon shaped like, oh, something other than a regular balloon? Well, you can, on the dock at sunsets. We’d like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Joel, the Balloon Man. Those balloons are really fun. (Remember to pick up the pieces of any popped ones—they’re a real choking hazard.)

On the wedding front, Lucy Martin Gianino and her daughter, Gemina, had a wonderful bridal shower for Barnaby Kendall’s fiancé, Sara Najork. Lots of longtime Fair Harbor dames were there: Tiiu Frankfurt and her lovely daughter-in-law, Liliana, Kate Butler and her daughters, Patricia and Ann, Roberta Schoenfield and her son Sam’s fiancé, Joelle, Barbara Collins, and Liz Sauer. All these locals entertained Sara’s family and friends—all their first time on Fire Island. The next day, the Kendalls returned the favor by hosting a 40th anniversary party for Lucy and Jack Gianino. Additionally, Coleman Wampler, Gemina’s son, just turned two and welcomed a new baby sister, Adelle, on June 15th. She joins veteran Fire Islanders fun Aunt Antonia and Uncle Gian-Murray Gainino. Congratulations to all.

Mark your calendars: There REALLY WILL be a pancake breakfast on August 13th, from 8 to 11. Bring your appetites. Don’t bring your appetites to dessert and dancing at the Firehouse on August 19th, but definitely bring your dancing shoes. Dancing starts at 9:30. Our next column will be entitled “Who’s Sleeping with Whom.” We look forward to all your contributions. Jackie: jeh@nyc.rr.com, Laura: lauratich@earthlink.net.