The Rockville Centre Floodlight Rescue Co. No. 1 celebrated a significant milestone—its 85th anniversary—with a special comedy show at Molloy University.
The Feb. 7 event at the Hays Theatre, which drew about 200 attendees, was a lively celebration of the company’s rich history and ongoing dedication to the community. Ex-Chief John Hennig, who played a key role in organizing the gala, shared that the event was not just about fun but also served as a fundraiser to support future initiatives.
“We have a couple of events throughout the year that we want to celebrate. That was one of them,” said Hennig, who served as chief from 1995 to 1997. “I invited the whole department, and we had a big crowd there. We had a fun night celebrating our 85th year.”
The evening featured laughter, camaraderie, and a chance to reflect on the years of service the rescue company has provided since its founding in October 1941. The comedy show featured three talented performers—Scott Baker, Vinnie Mark, and Eric Potts—who entertained the audience with their humor and wit.
“The night was very good,” Hennig recalled. “We had about 200 people there. It was a good night. We had raffles throughout the night and dinner and that kind of stuff. Baker and Mark, they were a tag team. They were very funny.”
The show proved to be more than just an evening of entertainment, as it brought together members of the rescue company, their families, and the local community for a night of shared experiences and joy.
The evening also included a special plaque presentation by the ex-chiefs of the fire department, which Hennig described as “a nice presentation from all the ex-chiefs over the years.” The tribute was a heartfelt recognition of the department's history and the many individuals who have dedicated themselves to the cause.
The Floodlight Rescue Company, named after a Diamond T floodlight truck that could also be converted into an ambulance, was formed in response to the growing needs of the community. Originally, the department began in 1934 as a first aid corps before evolving into a full-fledged rescue company.
“We got two volunteers from each of the six companies, with 12 original members, to form a rescue company,” Hennig explained, reflecting on the company’s early years.
Over the decades, the rescue company has grown both in size and capabilities, including being one of the first responders at the Rockville Centre train crash, a fatal head-on collision on the Long Island Rail Road that killed about 30 people and injured over 100 on Feb. 17, 1950. The company also responded to a large fire at 250 North Hills Ave. in 1996.
“We had several rescues. The guys did a great job on that one,” Hennig said of the North Hills call.
Today, the department has 52 members, including a mix of paramedics and emergency medical technicians, all of whom volunteer their time to provide critical emergency services.
