The community has come to know that when they call the Plainview Fire Department for help, the PFD answers the call.
In the last two weeks, Plainview firefighters have answered those calls more than 500 times, and counting.
Since Hurricane Sandy tore our community to pieces, Plainview firefighters have been staffing their firehouses in 8-hour shifts with full complements of companies awaiting call after call. Chiefs have worked almost non-stop. Captains have been elevated to acting chiefs.
And firefighters have maintained a non-stop, two-week vigil to protect the public.
Chief of Department Craig Robinson said the community's need has been unprecedented and his department's response has been tireless.
"Many of our men and women are without power themselves and have had to leave their families at home, without power, to serve the community," Chief Robinson said. "It's really the only way we can do it."
The calls have run the gamut, from downed trees that needed to be removed from roadways to live power lines lying in people's yards. There are have been several small electrical fires and a number of carbon monoxide incidents where CO detectors indicate the presence of dangers levels of the toxic gas.
No injuries have been reported.
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Until Saturday, none of the incidents involved major fires.
That changed Saturday night when a home in Old Bethpage caught fire and flames tore through the roof. Plainview firefighters and neighboring departments put down the blaze on Adrienne Drive. The cause is under investigation.
"I really can't say enough about my people," Robinson said. "These guys have spent 80-100 hours a week helping the public. They just never quit in their responsibilities to help others."
Robinson recommended these safety tips:
- Stay away from downed wires.
- Change your batteries in smoke and CO detectors.
- Use caution when operating electrical generators.
And, he added, don't hesitate to call the Plainview Fire Department. They'll respond. (In an emergency, call 911.)
