Sound Beach FD
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Organized in 1930 on the authorization of the Sound Beach Property Owners Association, the department's first meeting was held at the Level Club in New York City (winter meetings were held at various New York City hotels as Sound Beach was then a seasonal bungalow community). Their first rig, a Ford chemical engine that had served the Elmont FD in neighboring Nassau County was originally housed in an open air garage and then later moved to the Community House where the North Shore Beach Highway Dept. and Sound Beach Vol. Police Dept. were quartered until a new headquarters was built in 1944. Following numerous extensions, that firehouse was eventually demolished to make way for the current two story headquarters. Present day, thirty active volunteers provides Fire, Rescue and Advanced Life Support level EMS protection answering an annual average of 700 alarms.
Engine 5A6-1 - 1999 Pierce Lance 1500 gpm/750 gal.
Featuring seating for ten (seven with SCBA), this rig is outfitted with dual high side compartments and an overhead ladder rack.
Engine 5A6-9 - 2017 Pierce Enforcer 1500 gpm/750 gal.
This rig replaced a 1993 Pierce Lance 1500/750 pumper (painted White) which now serves the Tercera Compania Bomberos Machali (Third Fire Co. of Machali, Chile).
Engine 5A6-6 - 2006 Pierce Saber 4x4 1500 gpm/750 gal.
This rig is equipped with four wheel drive to navigate the hilly winding roads of Long Island’s North Shore. Following unparalleled flooding conditions encountered during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the neighboring Mount Sinai FD ordered a similar 2015 Pierce Saber PUC 1500/750 four wheel drive engine to provide increased capabilities during storm response.
Brush 5A6-5 - 1985 Chevy Super Deluxe 30/Pierce/Basso Motors Equipment Repair
Originally starting life as a Pierce mini-pumper, this rig was converted in 2010 by a local fabrication shop into this unyque mini-version of the "stumpjumpers" found on Long Island (a 2.5 or 5 ton ex-GI chassis with a custom roll cage designed to penetrate deep into the seat of the fire). Constructed with a body design similar to grass fire rigs found in the Mid-West, it features two enclosed riding positions complete with bucket seats, racing style restraint harnesses and small “pony” booster lines while the rear features two open rear facing bucket seats. Mounted on Super Single tires, it is designed to hold 250 gallons of water, however, it responds with the tank empty and only two members on-board to remain within weight limits for a vehicle of its’ size (the remainder of the crew responds in a utility vehicle).
Antique Engine 5A6-7 - 1970 Mack CF685F12 1250/500
Equipped with a five speed manual transmission, this rig is active on the muster circuit.
Antique - 1939 Diamond T 300 gpm
This rig served as the department’s first apparatus upon their formation in 1939. Originally serving as an engine, it was later assigned to fire police (traffic/crowd control). Fully restored, it still actively pumps while on the muster circuit and is equipped with removable rollers allowing it to act as a funeral caisson when needed. While presumably it was built locally, this rig has a virtual twin located in Indiana - in an interesting twist, after posting this rig on my Facebook page, the editor of ENJINE! ENJINE! (the official publication of SPAAMFAA) contacted me and shared a photo of his 1937 Diamond T squad that was built by the Indianapolis FD Shops (one of twins, this rig is the sole survivor after the other rig was totaled in a crash in the mid 1950’s). Just like my motto says, “Every Fire Truck Has A Story”...even if they are built two years (and hundreds of miles) apart!
9/11 Memorial/Firefighter’s Memorial Garden
Dedicated on September 11th of 2011, this memorial pays tribute to those lost on 9/11. While it is not know what the exact location of this piece of WTC steel was, it is believed to have been part of Tower 1. The antique locomotive wheel which is the last known fire ring used in Sound Beach pays homage to those members who have served the department in the past.