Ridge Fire Department Recent Alarms And Photos

This page does not include all alarms. These are only some of the more significant alarms that the Department has responded to.

At 07:30hrs on Sunday morning, October 13, 2005, The Ridge Fire Department responded on a motor vehicle accident on the LIE. This vehicle was traveling east on the LIE @ exit68. The driver stated that the front tire blew out causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and roll over. The driver and passanger were out of the car prior to FD arrival, which was good luck to them because the car went into flames. Chief Michael Gianmugnai was the OIC, Assistant Chief John DeVito had EMS and Assistant Chief Charles Ambrosio had extingushment. Units that responded were Chiefs 30,31,32, Engines 1,7, Rescue 4, Ambulances 15,17 First Responder Units 81,82 and scpd 904A. Both victems were transported to BMH in stable condition.

Scene Photos

On Friday, March 11, 2005, at approximately 10:30 am, the Ridge Fire Department was alerted for a structure fire at Panamoka Trail. Upon arrival, Chief Gianmugnai and 2nd Assistant Chief Ambrosio were met with a fire in the living room. Neighbors were reporting children possibly still inside. Chief's Gianmugnai and 2nd Assistant Chief Ambrosio conducted a search of the house and found no children. First arriving engine 5-22-6 stretched their hose lines into the front door. Second due engine 5-22-7 hit the hydrant and supplied 5-22-6 water. The fire was knocked down in a short time. Mutual aid was called from several departments. Wading River and Manorville Fire Departments each sent one engine to the scene. Middle Island Fire Department provided RIT to the scene and the Rocky Point FD and Manorville Community Ambulance stood-by at Ridge FD headquarters. It was later found out that, after the call for help was made, the homeowner left the scene with the children and went to a friend's house in Middle Island before fire department's arrival at the scene. Units were on scene until 12 pm when the scene was turned over the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad and Brookhaven Town Fire Marshall's Office to determine cause and origin. Chief of the Department, Michael Gianmugnai, was in charge of the scene assisted by 2nd Asst. Chief Ambrosio, and 3rd Asst. Chief Mirando III.

At 1404 hrs on October 3rd the Department was activated for a signal 16/23 Heavy Rescue at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on the corner of Ridge Road and Jack Austen Highway (Route 25). Upon arrival, responding members found two persons trapped in a vehicle which had been struck broad side by an 18 wheel Mack box truck. It took approximately 1/2 hour to extricate the victims. One victim was flown my SCPD Medivac Helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital and the second victim was transported via Advanced Life Support Ambulance to Brookhaven Hospital.

The Ridge Fire Department responded with units: 5-22-4, 5-22-10, 5-22-15, 5-22-16 & 5-22-82. Mutual Aid was also requested for one heavy rescue truck from Middle Island Fire Department and one ALS ambulance from Coram Fire Department. In addition Rocky Point Fire Department was called in to provide an engine to stand by at the landing zone at Ridge Elementary School.

During this alarm the Department was activated for a second signal 16/23 Heavy Rescue for an MVA just two blocks West at Red Maple Road and Jack Austen Highway. Mutual Aid was provided by Yaphank Fire Department with one heavy rescue truck and two ambulances.

The Department was secure from both alarms at 1530 hours.

08/22/03 21:12 MVA Route 25 & Randall Road.
Three vehicle MVA with four victims. Three were transported, including a mother and her 11 year old daughter. One victim refused treatment or transport.
Assistant Chief John DeVito was in charge of the scene. All units, with the exception of the transporting ambulances, were back in service by 22:15.

Units responding:
5-22-32 Assistant Chief John Devito
5-22-4 Heavy Rescue Headquarters
5-22-10 Heavy Rescue Station 2
5-22-15 Ambulance Station 2
5-22-16 Ambulance Headquarters
5-22-17 Ambulance Station 3

On the morning of August 13th the Ridge FD responded to several calls including an MVA which was activated at 0907 hrs. The MVA took place on Rte. 25 East of Wm. Floyd Parkway with one car into the woods and the driver trapped. The victim was extricated by the Ridge Fire Department and was transported in an Advanced Life Support Ambulance from Coram Fire Department who was requested to respond in for assistance.

Units responding:
5-22-32 Assistant Chief John Devito
5-22-4 Heavy Rescue Headquarters
5-22-7 Engine from Station 3
5-22-10 Heavy Rescue Station 2
5-22-15 Ambulance Station 2
5-22-81 First Responder
Suffolk County Police also responded with an Emergency Service Unit and three sector cars.

08/09/03 12:12 MVA William Floyd Parkway & Longwood Road.
A Lexus SUV containing 5 female occupants collided with a pickup truck. In what is usually considered the safest area of a vehicle, the middle of the rear seat, was our primary patient, a young female with head injuries.
Chief of Department, Fred Bocklage, Captain Company One, Ian Wood, and 5-22-80 First Responder with ALS provider on board arrived almost simultaneously.
Chief Bocklage took command and ordered in additional units. Hurst Tool operations were commenced by Rescue 10 and Rescue 4 . Mutual Aid assistance was provided by Brookhaven National Lab FD. All units took up by approx 13:00.

Units responding:
5-22-30 Chief of Department Fred Bocklage
5-22-80 First Responder
5-22-4 Heavy Rescue Headquarters
5-22-10 Heavy Rescue Station 2
5-22-1 Pumper Station 2
5-22-15 Ambulance Station 2
5-22-16 Ambulance Headquarters
5-22-17 Ambulance Station 3
5-20-52 Captain BNLFD
5-20-16 Ambulance BNLFD

At 1245 hrs on August 1, 2003, the Department was activated for an MVA Overturn on the South bound lanes of the William Floyd Parkway at the North entrance to the Brookhaven National Lab. First Assistant Chief, Michael Gianmugnai was the first to arrive on scene. He was presented with a single car (SUV) rollover into the woods with two victims on the ground and two still trapped in the upside down SUV. The Department responded with a first responder (5-22-81), two heavy rescue trucks (5-22-4 & 5-22-10), two ambulances (5-22-15 & 5-22-17) and one pumper (5-22-7).

Mutual aid assistance for additional ambulances and personnel was provided by the Brookhaven National Lab Fire Department, Middle Island Fire Department and Mastic Ambulance. Yaphank Fire Department was also requested to respond with an ambulance but was diverted to an MVA of their own. Assistance was also provided by Suffolk County PD Emergency Services.

Assistant Chief Michael Gianmugnai was in charge of the incident, RFD Assistant Chief John Devito was in charge of Operations and BNL Chief Searing was in charge of EMS. The two entrapped victims were extricated and all four victims were transported to area hospitals via ambulance. Due to weather conditions the SCPD Medivac was unavailable. Units were released and back in service by 1340 hrs, while the South bound lanes of the parkway remained closed for several hours while police investigated.

On July 8th at 1302 hours, we responded to a motor vehicle accident on the William Floyd Parkway. The MVA occurred North Bound North of Rt. 25 when a truck loaded with bricks had a blow out. The driver lost control and the truck overturned spilling the bricks across the North bound lanes of the highway. Luckily, no other vehicles were involved. First Asst. Chief Michael Gianmugnai was in charge of the scene. The Ridge Fire Department responded with a first responder -5-22-81, Heavy Rescue - 5-22-10, Engine - 5-22-6 and Ambulance - 5-22-15. The driver was transported to the hospital with head injuries. Units 6 & 10 handled traffic and clean up of engine fluids. The SC Dept. Public Works responded for road clean up. All units were signal 28 (back in service) at 1415 hours.

On the morning of June 20, 2003, the scene along William Floyd Parkway just South of the Brookhaven National Lab Entrance looked more like a scene from Calistoga, CA where "Old Faithful" spews water up from the earth's depths than it did a scene from Ridge, NY!

At approximately 0800 hrs the driver of a small SUV veered off the road to avoid what he though was a small deer running out in front of him. Finding himself in a large open area and thinking he had plenty of room to continue back out onto the roadway, he continued through the clearing and ran right into a fire hydrant hidden below the nearly 3' high grass.

Luckily, the driver was unhurt but, his SUV was left on top of the hydrant to be pelted with large rocks being shot up by the force of the water. The Southbound lanes of the William Floyd Parkway remained closed for nearly two hours while the Suffolk County Water Authority responded and isolated the section of the water main. The Suffolk County Dept. Public Works was also on scene to assess potential undermining of the road. Second Assistant Chief John DeVito stood by and SCPD diverted traffic down Longwood Road. At least one other motorist reported having their windshield smashed by the falling rocks.

Busy Evening In Ridge 6/7/03

17:25 Reported Structure Fire Astor Drive

Handled by Engine 1 under the command of Fred Bocklage, Chief of Department.

17:30 Motor Vehicle Accident Route 25 East of William Floyd Parkway

Two vehicle accident just East of Ridge FD Headquarters. 5-22-16 HQ Ambulance and Rescue 4 under the direction of Captain Ian Wood
were the first units on scene. Captain Wood advised of Hurst Tool operation with two injuries. This brought in the following units to assist:
Engine 6 from Headquarters
5-22-17 Ambulance from Station 3
5-22-7 Engine from Station 3
5-22-10 Heavy Rescue from Station 2
5-22-80 First Responder with ALS provider on board

Both patients were transported to Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead.

Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3

Picture quality not too good due to them being scanned polaroids

20:03 AFA Strathmore Ridge

Engine 6 from Headquarters handled

22:30 Fuel spill in a residence on Ridgehaven Drive

Engine 6 from Headquarters handled

5/31/03 14:40 Signal 16 Multiple victims of dog bite
Originally dispatched for a female child victim of dog bite, then reactivated as an adult male
victim of dog bite. Captain Wood was around the corner and responded in with an EMT. Upon arrival
they found that there had been two minors attacked with only one bitten, an 8 year old female who had
been bitten on the buttocks and leg. Also attacked was the SCPD 611 operator with bites to the hand
and inner thigh. SCPD had the dog cornered in a shed so that the patients could be treated.
The 8 year old female was transported by her mother, and the 611 operator was transported via 5-22-15
to Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson.
SCPD destroyed the dog on scene and it was removed by Brookhaven Town Animal Control.

Link to brief Newsday article regarding incident. (second story on page)

Newsday Article

2/3/03 18:46 Signal 16/23 Motor Vehicle Accident
Dispatched for a motor vehicle accident on Route 25 west of William Floyd Parkway. First due chief
Charles Ambrosio along with 5-22-80 (Medical First Responder) immediately called for a medevac helicopter.
The accident was a female motorcyclist that lost control of her motorcycle, fell, and was subsequently
run over by a second motorcyle driven by her husband. The victim was flown to University Hospital at StonyBrook
suffering from serious injuries. The traffic situation was difficult to say the least, complicated by the fact
that the eastbound bridge lanes are closed for construction requiring the responding units from Headquarters to go
against traffic to get to the scene. All units had taken up by 19:30.

Responding units:

5-22-30 Chief of Department Fred Bocklage
5-22-31 1st Asst. Chief Michael Gianmugnai
5-22-32 2nd Asst. Chief John Devito
5-22-33 3rd Asst. Chief Charles Ambrosio

5-22-1 Engine from Station 2 under direction of Captain John Mirando III
5-22-4 Heavy Rescue from Headquarters under direction of Captain Ian Wood
5-22-7 Engine from Station 3 under direction of 2nd Lt. Brian Nowak
5-22-15 Ambulance from Station 2
5-22-16 Ambulance from Headquarters
5-22-80 First Responder

Link to brief Newsday article regarding accident. (second story on page)

Newsday Article

Follow up Newsday article regarding others lost to motor cycle accidents in their family

1/21/03 07:01 Signal 13/35 working structure fire. Dispatched for a structure fire in Leisure Village (a retirment community).
First Assistant Chief Michael Gianmugnai arrived on scene and reported smoke showing. One victim was out
of the house and Chief Gianmugnai completed a search of the rest of the unit. Engine 7 under the direction of 2nd Lieutenant
Brian Nowak, and Engine 6 under the direction of Captain Ian Wood, arrived simultaneously.
The crew from Engine 6 (Jeff Perkel and Tony Lima) knocked down the fire utilizing the 1 3/4" from Engine 7
Engine 1 provided assistance and checked for extension in the other units utilizing a Thermal Imaging Camera.
Mutual Aid from Manorville Community for an ambulance and Wading River FD
for an engine to standby at Ridge FD HQ. All units with the exception of Engine 7 (remaining on scene to assist
Brookhaven Town Fire Marshal) took up by 08:30
Good job guys, great stop.

1/20/03 14:30 MVA with Entrapment Single vehicle accident on I495 (Long Island Expressway) East of William Floyd Parkway.
Overturned vehicle into the woods with both occupants trapped and critical. Occupants removed with combined effort
of SCPD ESU, Ridge FD Rescue 4 and Rescue 10 under the direction of First Assistant Chief Michael Gianmugnai.
Additional Ridge units on scene were Ambulances 5-22-15, 5-22-16, 5-22-17 and Engine 5-22-7. Mutual Aid from Yaphank FD
with ALS ambulance to the scene.
Two medevac helicopters from SCPD transported the victims to University Hospital in Stony Brook.

Click Here For thumbnails leading to large pics.

Busy Day In Ridge 1/8/03

07:10 Motor Vehicle Accident 07:10 Rt 25 & Pleasantview RD

07:22 Motor Vehicle Accident 495 and South Service Road

09:30 EMS alarm

10:52 EMS alarm

Signal 13/35 13:49 Working Structure Fire

Single story business located at the corner of Rt 25 and Crescent Bow.
First arriving Chief Mike Gianmugnai reported signal 13/35 working fire.
First due Engine 6 Engine made a good attack with firefighters Tony Lima, Dave Amon, and Steve Morabito,
backed up by second due Engine 7 with firefighter Chris Jantzen and Captain Dominic Losquadro.
Additional units from Ridge, Engine 1, Rescue 4, Ladder 9, Ambulance 15
Mutual aid provided as follows:
Wading River FD Engine and Tanker
Manorville FD Engine and Tanker
Middle Island FD Engine and Tanker
Yaphank FD Ladder and Tanker
Rocky Point FD Engine
Center Moriches Tanker
Mastic FD Engine standby at Ridge FD HQ
Mastic Ambulance standby at Ridge FD

All units taken up at 19:45.

Many thanks to all responding mutual aid departments.

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