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Light Rain Fog/Mist East Rockaway resident unveils new hydrant design
Hydrant dedicated to Long Beach firefighter hero
It was a new innovation in Long Beach on Nov. 17, as nearly 100 people watched the unveiling and dedication of a new fire hydrant to Garret Rooney, a fire chief and Long Beach assistant city manager who died of lung cancer in December.
The stainless steel Spartan hydrant, brainchild of East Rockaway resident and retired New York city firefighter George Sigelakis, bears a plaque etched with Rooney’s name, stationed in front of a home at 38 Arizona Avenue. It looks truly unique, created with a distinct style using green technology. And though the hydrant redesign marks a step forward in firefighting equipment, it also symbolizes Rooney’s life.
“I think of all the happy times,” said New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, referring to those memories with Rooney. “No one more better to dedicate this to. He was the best person who was ever in city hall.”
Rooney, 68 at the time of his death, was born in the Bronx and later, moved to Long Beach. He was very involved in the city’s fire
department, serving as chief from 1975-81, said Charles Theofan, Long Beach city manager. Rooney then served as an assistant city manager before succumbing to lung cancer.
“My dad was dedicated to everything he did,” said Rooney’s son, Nicholas. Joining his mother and widow, Linda, the family grew emotional, watching the dedication, just steps from their home.
The event was fitting, for it was Rooney’s birthday, Linda said. Sigelakis brought his idea to Chris Windle, the Long Beach water transmission superintendent, and Long Beach CSEA president John Mooney, who had contacted Linda about dedicating the hydrant to the father of eight and grandfather about a month or two ago, she said. It was an amazing tribute for an amazing man, she added.
History in the making
“It’s a big moment, and what a humble firefighter to dedicate this to,” Sigelakis said before a customary breaking of a bottle of champagne against the fire hydrant, to bring good luck. His company, Sigelock Systems in East Rockaway, markets the Spartan hydrant.
The hydrant was not just any hydrant, as it was something that Sigelakis had spent many years developing, Theofan said. He called it a hydrant of the future — one that took 17 years to create.
