On behalf of the Middle Island Fire Department, I am honored to present the 2023 Year in Review Report, providing an overview of the tireless efforts and dedicated service of our members. This report highlights the unwavering commitment and hard work demonstrated by the volunteers and employees of the Middle Island Fire District and Department, all aimed at ensuring the safety of our community.
Throughout the 2023 calendar year, our department responded to an unprecedented 2,873 calls for service, achieving a historic milestone in our ongoing commitment to public safety. This remarkable accomplishment stands as a testament to the relentless dedication of our volunteers and employees.
In anticipation of the evolving needs of our community and department, the Middle Island Fire District has actively pursued strategic partnerships. We are delighted to announce our collaboration with neighboring fire districts and Stony Brook University Hospital, Division of Emergency Medical Services. This collaborative effort is designed to address the demand in locations where our services are frequently required, ultimately easing the strain on our EMS system.
A notable achievement in 2023 was the acquisition of our new Pierce tanker, designated as Tanker 11. Delivered in February and manufactured by Pierce Manufacturing, this tanker is built on a Freightliner chassis, featuring a BX TM Tanker body and powered by a Cummins L9 360 hp engine. Equipped with a 1500 gpm Waterous midship pump, Tanker 11 enhances our capability to provide water supply in areas of our district without fire hydrants.
Significant Advances in Training and Certifications
Our mission is to respond rapidly, with highly trained professionals and volunteers, to mitigate emergencies in our community. Despite an increased call volume, 2023 emerged as a productive year for training and membership development. We welcomed over 15 new members into our department, currently in the final stages of their probationary period, soon to be fully certified as Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Fire Police Officers.
Several of our firefighters participated in Firehouse Expo 2023 in Columbus, Ohio, engaging in live-fire exercises, hands-on training, and classroom sessions. Additionally, firefighters attended the annual Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo Memorial Foundation Training at the Suffolk County Fire Academy. A group of Emergency Medical Technicians represented us at the EMS World Expo 2023 in New Orleans, gaining insights into new products within the EMS industry and attending various speaker conferences. Numerous members also achieved certification as Ice Water Rescue Technicians and pursued additional certifications offered by the Suffolk County Fire Academy.
The Fire District this year provided interior firefighters with a new tool in their pocket, a personal Thermal Imaging Camera. This camera is about the size of your phone that allows each individual firefighter to see the thermal picture that a TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera Provides). Thermal imaging cameras can also help firefighters located trapped victims and pets by detecting their body heat, as well as can know when they need to leave a compartment because it’s too hot and a flashover is about to occur.
This year the department also participated in educational outreach about fire prevention. We hosted our annual fire prevention where community members could enter our firehouse and learn about fire safety, this year’s theme was cooking safety due to it being the leading cause of home fires in 2021 according to FEMA. Community members had the ability to watch a life demonstration of a vehicle extrication. The department also hosted fire prevention days at our West Middle Island Elementary School, and at the Longwood Junior High School in collaboration with the Yaphank and Ridge Fire Departments.
