Oceanside FD receives Firematic Award

The Oceanside Fire Department was awarded with the Town of Hempstead 2022 Firematic Award on Oct. 2, for their efforts in saving a woman whose arm was trapped inside heavy machinery at her cookie factory on New Street. The machine, a cookie maker conveyor belt that flips the cookies over, was impaling her entire arm with sharp hooks when the arm got stuck inside.

Ed Scharberg, the Oceanside Fire Department Information Officer, said “one of our chiefs put a screwdriver in there to stop the belt from moving, and our truck company was there who has specialized tools.” After stopping the belt from moving, Oceanside first responders quickly used an angle grinder to finally free the woman’s arm. Once free, she was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau for further treatment of injuries.

The Town of Hempstead annual Firematic Awards is a tradition to honor outstanding volunteer firefighters all throughout the township.

— Karina Kovac