North Merrick Fire Department Stays on Top of the Game

On Saturday, the North Merrick Fire Department hosted fire departments from all around the country for a training seminar and fundraiser.

Planning for about six months, Fireman's Field became home to 54 cars that were donated from North Shore Recycling. The cars were separated into stations to represent six different accident scenarios. The departments worked with each other, as well as Nassau County emergency services, to learn best practices and new rescue techniques.

John Hickey, assistant chief of the Campville Fire Department in Edicott, N.Y., explained that training sessions are imperative for firefighters to continue to learn new things.

"We always have to stay ahead of the game. We need to improvise, adapt and overcome every situation and we always need to be thinking outside of the box," he said.

Rob Buglione, a representative from Genesis, a company that manufacturers rescue tools, echoed Hickey's sentiment.

"We get to see different aspects of what other people are doing. We are all learning from each other," he said.

But, it wasn't just about preparing firefighters and rescue workers. The money from the training seminar goes to a scholarship fund that honors two North Merrick fire fighters that perished in an accident in 1999.

Ed McManus, also a representative from Genesis that helped put the event together, explained that the training class in Merrick was a situation that was beneficial to everyone involved.

"We wanted to get the training classes to Long Island and with North Merrick having the scholarship fund, it's a win-win for everyone," McManus said.

Jim Allen, chief, North Merrick Fire Department, was grateful for the turnout.

"I just want to thank the other fire departments for coming down and making this event a success," he said.