By Cris Italia and Joseph Kellard
Along with damage done to the walls and a door of the firehouse, two fire helmets, ten 100th anniversary clocks, one coffee maker and pot, one battery operated wall clock, and one pride of midtown sign were stolen.
According to a source close to the incident, the intruders weren't finished after they left the Columbia firehouse. At the Island Park firehouse on Long Beach Road, intruders allegedly "man-handled" a firefighter and took the company's "army truck" for a joy ride.
The intruders were identified as four firefighters from the Long Beach Fire Department. In what all three fire departments say is a "Prank that went too far," no police reports was filed during the incident and officials say the problem bas been handled in house.
"These individuals will be reprimanded, taken care of, and unfortunately it was a prank that went sour," said Michael Kerr, commissioner of the Long Beach Fire Department. "What happens is, unfortunately with fireman, all week they are serious . . .They do their duty and then you know, they get to a parade and a couple of beers later, you know, they unwind. They think of playing a practical joke, which has been played on us too. We've had incidents. And it just went sour."
Kerr confirmed that four of his firefighters were involved in the incident, including one firefighter who serves as a police officer for the New York City Police Department. He also confirmed that several items were stolen from the Columbia firehouse in Oceanside. "They are going to be get suspended and they'll have a trial and what will happen is if they are found guilty they will pay the price so given to them," Kerr said of their punishment.
He did however, deny the "man-handling" of another firefighter, and the firefighters taking an old "army truck" for a joy ride. "It was two individuals, I don't want you to think that a group of guys roughed up [another] guy. It was just two individuals, one took a poke at the one and the other took a poke back," Kerr said of the alleged assault of an Island Park firefighter.
Oceanside Fire Department Chief Kris Andoos declined to comment on the incident, but according to a source, the OFD and the LBFD met on Sunday, August 18 to discuss how the problem would be solved internally. In a letter obtained by the Herald, Andoos states that firefighters from the LBFD did enter the Columbia Engine Co. on the night of Sunday, August 10. "These members were caught in the act at headquarters and fled immediately," Andoos stated in the letter addressed to Chief Richard DiGiacomo of the LBFD.
"Both the firehouse and company rooms were locked at the time of entry, which leads me to believe they forced their way in," Andoos states. In the letter he runs down a list of what was taken from the firehouse.
"All items listed above shall be immediately returned in original condition, or reported. Items, which are not returned, full replacement value will be accepted," he continues. "I trust you being a Brother Chief will correct this situation immediately forgoing any need for police action."
The police department stated that no report was made of the incident, but Police Officer Ron Walsh of the Fourth precinct confirmed that there was a call for a "disturbance" at the Island Park Fire Department.
"There was a disagreement over at the [Island Park] firehouse. Nobody was injured or sent to the hospital. And the people who were in charge of the scene over at the fire department didn't request that any police action be taken," said police officer Michael Bitsko from Nassau County Police Headquarters. He added that there was no call of burglary at the Columbia firehouse.
"I believe that what had to be taken care of has been taken care of, and if there's anything outstanding they'll make restitution. But I understand it's all been settled," said Kerr of the meeting which took place on the Sunday morning.
The four firefighters involved in the incident were never identified nor was the Island Park firefighter who was allegedly "man-handled." Island Park Fire Chief Frank Eye was not reachable for comment.
With Kimberly Acevedo
