Community News

For N. Merrick F.D., Saturday was way more than a drill

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More than 500 firefighters donned their full-dress uniforms and sought perfection during the 6th Battalion’s old-fashioned drill and parade on Aug. 27.

The North Merrick Fire Department, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, hosted the event, with 60 of its members participating.

The annual drill and parade give volunteer firefighters the chance to interact with the people whom they protect, said North Merrick Chief James Rogers. “It brings the community together,” he said. “It’s a nice thing that we do, and I think the community embraces it.”

The old-fashioned drill –– a competition that pits fire departments against one another in friendly races to climb ladders or stretch hoses –– was held at the Four Towns Fire Training Center in Merrick.

The parade followed in North Merrick. The procession started on Camp Avenue, just east of Merrick Avenue, where the North Merrick Fire Department is located. From Camp Avenue, firefighters made the left on Merrick Avenue and headed south to the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station at Sunrise Highway. After, firefighters held a giant block party, with food and drink, D.J. music and bouncy houses for the children.

In all, 13 fire departments took part in the parade, including the 10 departments that comprise the 6th Battalion: Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa, North Massapequa, East Meadow and Levittown. In addition, three other departments were invited to take part, including Valley Stream, West Hempstead and one upstate department.

Departments were divided into four divisions, depending on their sizes. An antique fire engine and a grand marshal led each division.

The North Merrick Fire Department took third place in the drill and the parade, while the Bellmore Fire Department won the drill and North Massapequa won the parade.

In the parade, departments were judged on the uniformity of their dress and the alignment of their marching formations. Rogers noted that firefighters couldn’t have facial hair or earrings.

“It was an honor and a privilege,” he said, “to have been the chief of the North Merrick Fire Department in leading them for the 90th anniversary in the 6th battalion parade.”