The history of the Lakeview Fire Department

Picture yourself over one hundred years ago in our hamlet. About seventy family farms line Hempstead Turnpike, John Street (Nassau Boulevard), Brooklyn Avenue (Woodfield Road) and Hempstead Avenue. Roads are unpaved, there is no electricity and wells provide water. Your neighbors are your primary source of entertainment, help and safety. This is the environment that gave birth to the local fire companies of our community.
In 1909, 12 young men met at the Shon Grocery Store located at the corner of Colonial Road and Brooklyn Avenue to organize the Lakeview Hook and Ladder Company. Funds were raised through card parties, dances and picnics to purchase a horse drawn fire wagon, or pumper, with ladders. Today, the same vehicle is on display at the New York Fireman’s Museum on the Hudson River. The historic vehicle is borrowed back for special occasions like the 100th anniversary of the Lakeview Fire Department in 2009.
Company No. 1 of the Lakeview Fire Department was built on Brooklyn Avenue in 1911 followed by Company No. 2 on Jennings Avenue between Lincoln and Washington in 1927. A fireman was always on standby in this old garage to keep the potbelly stove burning so that the water for the booster tanks would not freeze. The Drum and Bugle Corps was established in 1922 and the Ladies Auxiliary a year later in 1923. In 1946, Company No. 2 was relocated to Railroad Avenue (Hempstead Gardens Drive) and Lincoln Avenue where it remained until 1955 when the two companies were able to combine due to technological and transportation improvements.
The Lakeview Fire Department has been called for thousands of emergencies over its 100-plus years in service. However, the group has enjoyed each other’s company through the years. Baseball games, parades, picnics, dances, drill competitions and playing popular characters, like Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny, have fostered a sense of camaraderie, respect and community among the members.
The names Senti and De Angelis of the Lakeview Fire Department hold special positions of honor. The current fire station is dedicated to Frederick Senti Sr. Three generations of Senti’s have served the company. Third generation Heather Senti became Nassau County’s first female fire chief in 2012. Sadly, Ex Chief Robert J. De Angelis was killed at work in Tower One of the World Trade Center in 2001. His memory is honored on a monument at Hall’s Pond Park.