Islip Fire Department - Islip, New York

About Us

Mission Statement

Located 38 miles east of New York City, the hamlet of Islip rests on Long Islands south shore in Western Suffolk County. The Islip Fire Department is comprised of 120 proud volunteers providing fire protection and emergency medical care to over 30,000 residents and the thousands more who work and travel through our town daily. Within the 7.5 square mile response area there are over 6,500 privates homes, 200 various commercial businesses, 2 major roadways and numerous marinas that require our service on an average of 1200 times per year. Islip volunteers are also responsible for emergency coverage on the Great South Bay as well as the Atlantic Ocean.

Our department is made up of four companies, two engine companies, a Hook & Ladder Company and a Fire Police Company. From these ranks we also support a Rescue Squad which provides the highest level of emergency advanced life support and a Tactical Rescue Squad that is prepared to answer difficult and complex emergencies such as high angle and confined space emergencies, trench collapse and water rescue, biological, chemical and other hazardous material incidents. The district is protected by two fire houses. Headquarters which is located just south of Main Street on Monell Avenue, houses two class A pumpers, one city service ladder truck, one fire police unit, one ambulance and one tactical rescue truck. Station two is on the north side of town and keeps two class A pumpers, one 75’ tower ladder, one ambulance and one fire police truck.

Our Fire Prevention bureau is continuously throughout the year educating our community on the importance of fire safety. The bureau uses a state of the art trailer to simulate areas of the home as an effective tool to educate our children.

Some of the other activities our members enjoy include the softball team and the champion wolves drill team. The department also supports a bowling team and a golf team.

The Islip firemen never consider themselves before a neighbor. Constantly exposed to danger, it is with honor and courage they unselfishly risk their lives to ensure the safety of others.

Services We Provide

The Islip Fire Department is responsible for much more then firefighting. We respond to vehicle accidents, technical rescues, ice rescues, water rescues, emergency medical calls, electrical hazzards, fire alarm investigations, carbon monoxide emergencies, hazardous materials calls, fuel spills, stuck elevator calls, LIRR incidents and countless other situations.

The Islip Fire Department Rescue squad is responsible for Emergency medical response for the district. They operate two ambulances and a first response vehicle. Islip FD rescue squad is comprised of EMT’s, EMT Critical Care providers and Paramedics. The rescue squad stands by at many community events, such as School Sporting events, Islip High School Graduation, Street fairs, 5k Runs and many other events where their services may be necessary.

The Islip Fire Department is also part of the MacArthur Crash Fire Rescue response plan. Should a situation arise at MacArthur airport the Islip Fire Departments Tactical Rescue Team, Fire Police and Rescue Squad are utilized depending on the size of the incident.

The Islip Fire Department operates two boats and respond to maritime emergencies in the Great South Bay, Atlantic Ocean as well as the lakes and streams throughout the district. The Marine unit operates a rescue/recovery dive team that is deployed often in the summer months. Islip FD Marine Division is capable of Surface and SCUBA rescues, Marine Firefighting, and Advanced Life Support Medical Care on the water.

On top of the incidents we respond to within the confines of the Islip Fire District the Islip Fire Department also often times responds on mutual aid calls to our neighboring districts. We respond mutual aid to both fire and medical situations when called on by our neighboring departments. This includes also sending out one of our units at times to cover another district when they may be out of service for any reason.

History

Prior to the formation of the Islip Fire Brigade, in 1881, the residents and merchants of Islip had no organized protection from the devastation of fire. Equipment, such as pails of water or sand, and brooms were placed in a designated area of the home to be used in case of fire. In the event of a structural fire, all able-bodied men, women and children were pressed into service. Neighbors and passerby were even asked to lend a hand in passing the buckets in the "Bucket Brigade." More often than not, their gallant efforts only succeeded in saving the adjoining buildings.

In 1881, a group of civic-minded citizens recognized the need to form a Fire Brigade. A citizens meeting was called at the Town Hall on December 11, 1879 to consider organizing a company that would provide fire protection. By May 4 1880, by-laws were drawn up, funds were raised and a vote passed to form the Islip Fire Brigade. Early members of the brigade included well known Islip family names such as Clock, Doxsee, Vail, Allen, Wheeler and Smith. By mid 1880 the Islip Fire Brigade had thirty-seven members, and a Hook and Ladder had been purchased and a new building was under construction on Monell Avenue. John Vail was named as the first Foreman of the Islip Fire Brigade in 1881.

In 1885, a special meeting was called for the reorganization of the Islip Fire Brigade and Protector Engine Company No.1 and Alert Hose Company No. 1 were created. On April 3, 1888, the Fire Brigade, Engine and Hose Companies were organized as the Islip Fire Department.

During the late 1800's and early 1900's the Department responded to many alarms including the Main Street fire of 1905 which destroyed 17 businesses and five occupied apartments.

The Islip Fire Department has continued to grow through the years and its newest company joined the ranks in 1924 with the formation of the Fire Patrol Company. The Emergency-Rescue Squad was added in 1941 and in 1971 a sub-station was built on Commack Road in the north end of town. The most recent change to the organizational structure occurred in 1998 with the formation of the Tactical Rescue Team.

Today the Islip Fire Department includes four companies which comprise: two Engine Companies, a Hook & Ladder Company and a Fire Police Company. From these ranks we also support a Rescue Squad, which provides the highest level of emergency advanced life support and a Tactical Rescue Team that is prepared to answer difficult and complex emergencies such as high angle and confined space emergencies, trench collapse, water rescue, biological, chemical and other hazardous material incidents. The apparatus is assigned to two fire houses including Headquarters, which is located just south of Main Street on Monell Avenue and Station No. 2 which is located on the north side of town on Commack Road. Headquarters houses two Class A Pumpers, a City Service Ladder Truck, a Fire Police utility truck, an ambulance, the Heavy Rescue truck and numerous support vehicles. Two additional Class A Pumpers, the 75-foot tower ladder, an ambulance and the Fire Police Truck are located in Station No. 2. In addition to the emergency apparatus the department’s Fire Prevention Bureau uses a state-of-the-art training trailer to as an effective tool to educate our children about the importance of fire safety. The trailer, which is located at Headquarters, is used to simulate areas of the home.

In addition to their community activities our members field a softball team, which claimed the Islip Town Championship in 2006. Our members also make up the Islip Wolves Drill Team, which was crowned New York State Champions in 2005.

Islip Fire Headquarters, Monell Ave. Islip Circa 1912

Engine Co. No. 2 Leslie Howell at the Controls

Islip's Firemen Circa 1893

Original Roll Call, Islip Fire Brigade May 11th, 1880

Our Facilities

The district is protected by two fire houses including Headquarters, which is located just south of Main Street on Monell Avenue and Station No. 2, which is located on Commack Road on the north side of town. It is better known as “the North House”. The Headquarters complex, which includes three buildings, houses two Class A pumpers, one 77-Foot Aerial Ladder truck, one Fire Police unit, one Ambulance and one Heavy Rescue truck. Station two supports two Class A pumpers, one 75-foot Tower Ladder, one Ambulance and one Fire Police truck.

Islip Fire Department Headquarters Building

District & Training Building

Station No. 2 "North House"

Coverage Area

The Islip Fire District is comprised of the hamlet of Islip, and part of the hamlet of Bay Shore. Within the 7.5 square mile response area there are over 6,500 privates homes, 200 various commercial businesses, 5 public schools, over 50 apartment or townhouse buildings, 2 major highways and numerous marinas that require our service on an average of 1200 times per year. Islip volunteers are also responsible for emergency coverage on the Great South Bay as well as the Atlantic Ocean.

Please see this attached map of our district boundaries.