Wet down on Clark Street

East Rockaway Fire Department members listened to the speeches.

Mary Malloy/Herald

Honorary Chief Fred Weiss, above, christened the new fire pumper in front of the Liberty Hose Co. No. 2 on Clark Street on March 28.

Mary Malloy/Herald

Chief Peter Chojnacki thanked the people who were instrumental in obtaining the new fire vehicles for the East Rockaway Fire Department.

Mary Malloy/Herald

ex-Captain Patty Seifert smacked the new ambulance with a bottle of bubbly in photo at immediate right.

Mary Malloy/Herald

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By Mary Malloy

The East Rockaway Fire Department Liberty Hose Co. No. 2 recently hosted a christening ceremony at its Clark Street headquarters for two new vehicles acquired through its capital budget plan.

Fire pumper 406 replaced a 27-year-old pumper, and a new 408 ambulance replaced a 17-year-old emergency vehicle.

Fire Chief Peter Chojnacki thanked ex-captain Vinnie Ferrato of 406, and ex-captain Patty Seifert of 408, along with their committee members, for “their dedication in the completion of these projects.”

“These rigs will serve the fire department and the community for many years to come,” Chojnacki said. “This is a monumental year for our department — a new fire boat, an engine, and an ambulance.” He thanked Mayor Francis Lenahan and the board for its continued support, and former Chief Bobby Klose for arranging the “wet down” ceremony.

In his remarks, Klose attributed the beginning of the procedure to purchase the fire trucks to the late Mayor Ed Sieban. “Five years ago, it was Ed Sieban who said that we had some capital improvements coming up, and said that he’d like to get an engine and an ambulance — I said I’d get right on it.” He said that he went to Ferrato, who was “instrumental” in getting the ball rolling.