EMFD to host 6th Battalion Parade and Drill on Aug. 25

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To commemorate the East Meadow Fire Department's 88th year of service to our community, and honor this year's 6th Battalion Chairman Ex Chief Robert V. Hughes of East Meadow, we are proud to host the 2018 6th Battalion Parade and Drill.

The day will begin with a drill competition between the fire departments of the 6th Battalion at the Four Town's Firemen's Training Center on Merrick Road in Merrick. (Just East of the Meadowbrook State Parkway).

See teams of firefighters compete for trophies for the best times in running events from ladders, to hose, to the everyone's favorite, the bucket brigade. All residents are welcome. Bring the kids. Admission is free.


Fast forward to 6 p.m. and enjoy a parade through the streets of East Meadow, led by the United States Marine Corps colorguard, and your hometown volunteers. Fire departments with their chiefs, members, marching bands, junior fire companies, and ladies auxiliaries will compete for the best appearing bragging rights as seen by New York State Parade Officials stationed along the route.

See everything from the latest in fire trucks and chiefs cars, to the antique fire trucks of yesteryear, carrying the most senior members of the East Meadow Fire Department.

Come out and show your support for our East Meadow volunteers, and those fire departments who support us in the 6th battalion during a major fire. Bring a chair and enjoy.

The parade will begin at Post and Prospect Avenues, head west on Prospect Avenue, turning right onto East Meadow Avenue, and on to Fire Headquarters into a block party atmosphere.

The 6th Battalion of the Nassau County Fire Service consists of the Bellmore, Levittown, Massapequa, Merrick, North Merrick, North Bellmore, Seaford and Wantagh. Our invited guests will include Hicksville, Westbury, Uniondale and Warwick.

All residents are invited to our block party. Bring the kids. There will be live music, bounce castles, a slide, popcorn, cotton candy, a juice stand, and ice cream for all. All of the aforementioned are free.

The East Meadow Fire Department boasts a large contingent of firefighters who are serving, or have served, in our United States military. There will be an area for accepting donations to Wounded Warrior program. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at the block party. All proceeds with go directly to this important program, dear to the hearts of our organization.

Road closures will be in order along the parade route, as well as at Fire Headquarters during the block party. Please allow additional travel time if leaving or entering East Meadow near the parade route.

John J. O'Brien is an active Ex Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department. He is the District Supervisor of the Jericho Fire District and has over 30 years of Dispatch and Supervisory experience.