After many years of covering fire apparatus, finding a unique and functional rig is sometimes challenging. But for this month’s column, I didn’t have to look far: a 20-minute ferry ride across the Great South Bay of Long Island. On my way to meet a friend for dinner, I came across the Ocean Beach (N.Y.) Fire Department (OBFD), located on Fire Island. This department has designed progressive and creative apparatus that meet the unusual challenges of its response area.

Where Is Fire Island?

Fire Island is a 32-mile barrier island off the south shore of Long Island. It consists of 19 private communities and villages, 10 of which possess their own fire departments. The island is connected to the mainland at the far west and east ends by bridges; however, no vehicles are allowed on the island, primarily because there are no roads. Access to the various communities is by dirt and concrete paths, boardwalks and beachfronts. Main access to the island is provided by ferry from three different points on the mainland.

The community of Ocean Beach, the unofficial capital of and the biggest tourist area on Fire Island, features the most commercial establishments (hotels, bars, restaurants and stores) and the most inhabitants, with 550 dwellings.

Firefighting in Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is fortunate to retain one of the most progressive fire chiefs in the business: Frank Silsdorf, who has served as chief for 20 years, a tenure unheard of in the volunteer fire service on Long Island.

Some of the island’s firefighting challenges are common to most resort areas, not the least of which is the dramatic increase in population during the tourist season. “The year-round population is about 350 people,” Silsdorf says. “However, it is not unusual to have 15,000 to 20,000 on the island during the summer months, especially the holiday weekends.”

Other challenges are unique to Fire Island. Travel on the island is by foot, bicycles and wagons traversing concrete paths. Navigating fire apparatus down these narrow paths and laying supply and attack lines are feats you must see to believe.

The OBFD’s answer? It has invested in several mini-pumpers custom-made to maneuver the paths. Unlike other areas of the country, Ocean Beach has benefited greatly from using mini-pumpers. “Back in 1990, we had an ISO^? evaluation, and we went from a Class 6 to a Class 7 grading,” Silsdorf says. “This was primarily because [we had] older equipment. Our 1977 and ’79 pumpers were reaching the end of their service life and we had to modernize.” At that time, the OBFD negotiated a contract with the village board and purchased its first Class A pumper; in 2001, the department bought a mini-pumper.

Seagrave for a Mini?

It was time for the department to upgrade again in 2005. “Our first Class A pumper was a midi-pumper and kind of big for our response area,” Silsdorf says. “We wanted something that could carry as much hose but be more maneuverable in the community.”

To meet the island’s geographic constraints, the apparatus specs detailed a lot of custom engineering work, such as oversized wheels and tires. Although Seagrave is known for large Class A pumpers rather than mini-pumpers, local Seagrave salesmen were willing to work with the OBFD on the specs. In addition, the department was encouraged by a neighboring community’s recent purchase of a Seagrave mini. “Saltaire, one of the other local communities on the island, had just received [its] new Seagrave mini,” Silsdorf says. “We liked what we saw, but we changed the chassis and tank to make it a little more specific to what we wanted.”

The OBFD chose a Ford F-550 chassis, which is heavier than its older mini. “By using this chassis we were able to add a 1,000-gpm pump and 1,000 feet of 5″ supply line,” Silsdorf says. The vehicle also features a 300-gallon water tank, a pre-piped TFT deck gun with extension, a preconnected portable TFT Blitzfire deck gun, 400 feet of 2 «” hose, 250 feet of 1 ?” hose and 150 feet of 1 ?” hose in a high-rise pack used to make stretches down small alleys and walkways. “We also carry a full complement of ladders, including a 24′, a 12′ and an attic ladder,” Silsdorf says.

It may be a mini, but the pumper carries a significant amount of equipment, including a thermal imaging camera, gas detectors, a K-12 saw, hand tools and three SCBAs with six spare bottles. “We were so happy with the specs and the amount of equipment we could carry, we decided to purchase two of these vehicles,” Silsdorf says.

The minis interface nicely with the community’s extensive water supply. “We are lucky to have a great water supply in the village,” Silsdorf says. “We have [more than] 50 hydrants maintained by the Suffolk County Water Authority. Water is supplied by hydro-pneumatic pumps and a 150,000-gallon water tower. All of our hydrants also have 5″ Storz quick-connect couplings for our 5″ supply lines.” In addition, the vehicles carry three lengths of lightweight, hard suction hose so firefighters can draft out of the ocean or the bay if needed.

Proven Performance

The OBFD went to bid on the mini-pumpers in November 2004; Seagrave delivered the vehicles in October and November 2005. “These two vehicles have really given us a firefighting punch,” Silsdorf says. “As with any new vehicle, we had some bugs to work out, but no real technical problems to speak of.”

Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, a FireRescue contributing editor who was vacationing on Fire Island this past summer, was able to see firsthand how the minis operated. “We caught a working house fire in Ocean Beach, and they did an excellent job,” Goldfeder says. “It was a two-story frame dwelling with fire showing from side A on arrival and heavy smoke on the first floor and throughout. The two Seagrave mini-pumpers responded, laying 5″ supply lines and three 1 ?” attack lines. The building was vented and the fire extinguished. The apparatus and the department worked well.”

Customize for Success

The progressive thinking of Chief Silsdorf and his staff resulted in vehicles that meet the needs of the community and the department. Seagrave’s well-designed and functional apparatus can handle any job in this small resort community.

Design for your needs, and you can’t go wrong. When it comes time for your next apparatus, think progressively and plan ahead for the future.

Island Firefighting

A close-up look at the Ocean Beach (N.Y.) Fire Department

With 78 active volunteer members, the OBFD provides fire protection to Ocean Beach and surrounding communities through contracts with the Seaview Fire Protection District, the Fire Island Fire Protection District and the Atlantique Fire Protection District. It also maintains EMS contracts with Ocean Bay Park and Point of Woods. In 2005, the OBFD made 250 EMS runs and responded to 60 fire alarms. Its apparatus include:

• 3-20-5 & 3-20-7: 2005 Seagrave mini-pumpers featuring 1,000-gpm Hale pumps, 300-gallon Poly Bilt tanks, Ford F-550 chassis and 7.3-liter, six-cylinder diesel engines
• 3-20-1: a 2001 E-One mini-pumper featuring a 1,000-gpm pump and a 300-gallon tank
• 3-20-4: a 1990 International/Allegheny midi-pumper with a 300-gallon tank and a 1,000-gpm pump
• 3-20-16 & 3-20-18: Ford E-350 Medtec ambulances (1997 and 2001), fully ALS-equipped
• 3-20-26: a 22′ dive boat with a 500-gpm pump
• Two Kawasaki Mules, one of which is BLS-equipped

Ocean Beach
EMS Operations

The Ocean Beach Fire Department provides EMS response through two certified paramedics, five cardiac care technicians and 20 EMTs, all volunteers. Personnel work 12-hour shifts, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with extended hours on holiday weekends.

Patients are transported off the island by boats or aviation units provided by the Suffolk County Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. Ambulances can also travel off the island if needed.