Thursday, October 1, 2026
As the Atlantic hurricane season approaches its peak, emergency officials across Long Island are taking critical steps now to prepare for potentially destructive storms. While first responders do everything they can to prepare for the worst, there are numerous practical, potentially lifesaving tips for residents facing the threats of high winds, flooding and power outages to keep in mind to stay safe.
Francesco Barbera, chief of Atlantic Steamer Fire Co. in Oyster Bay, described the days leading up to a forecast hurricane as filled with preparations. His teams will be checking chainsaws, fueling rescue trucks, setting up sleeping quarters for volunteer responders, and reviewing deployment strategies.
One of the most important steps for homeowners to take, Barbera said, is to ensure that their generators are in working order, and to use them safely. He warned never to run generators in garages or near open windows, because the exhaust can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Make sure that they’re up and running and properly maintained,” he added. “Try to keep them far away from the house. We’ve had fires related to refueling of generators that are gas-powered, where they overheat and catch fire.”
Generator safety is just one component of the much larger picture of hurricane preparedness that the department hopes residents will take seriously as storms form in the Atlantic.
Barbera and Frank Ozol, the company’s second assistant chief, also stressed the dangers of wind, which many underestimate compared with fire or flooding. Ozol noted the storm on June 19 as an example, because even heavy deck furniture was displaced, and he recommended strapping down chairs and couches or moving them inside.
“If I know a hurricane is coming, I’m putting all that away,” Ozol said. “This past week, I found some heavy furniture on the other side of my deck, which I’d never seen before. That was an unusual storm.”
Residents are also encouraged to prepare “go bags” with essentials in case of evacuation. Families with small children or pets should plan accordingly, as should anyone with specific medical or dietary needs.
“You should have a couple cases of water — it’s good to have spare drinking water for at least three or four days,” Barbera said. “Snacks that last a long time, things like that, granola bars, jerky, camping-type foods.”
Both chiefs also emphasized the importance of flashlights over candles. While candles are aesthetically pleasing, they are too easily knocked over and present too much of a fire risk.
“Candles are absolutely no good,” Ozol said bluntly. “There are so many ways you can knock it over, a curtain or a drape (could) blow into a lit candle. That happens every Christmas, a family dies in the city.”
Once a storm has passed, dangers remain. Barbera recounted a recent incident in which someone tried to drag a fallen tree limb with a Jeep, unaware that it was tangled in a live power line.
Both chiefs underscored the importance of following official evacuation orders, especially in flood-prone areas like Bayville and Center Island.
“If the government is telling you that it’s a good idea to evacuate, those warnings should be listened to,” Barbera said. “If you don’t, you’re putting our lives at risk to come and save you.”
Emergency responders will always do their best to assist, Ozol added, “but we can’t evacuate an entire town.”
To respond effectively, the department maintains an array of vehicles and tools. That includes an ex-Army five-ton truck, nicknamed “the Kraken,” capable of navigating tree-strewn roads and through floodwaters, along with boats, chainsaws and water-rescue suits.
Much of the department’s equipment philosophy stems from hard-won experience during past storms, like Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
“I was in a wetsuit for 24 hours, pulling our Zodiac through the streets of Bayville, taking people out of their homes,” Ozol recalled. “That’s when we saw people with barbecues in their homes, using them to cook and stay warm. Are you crazy? This can get you killed.”
Because floodwaters can be contaminated with sewage and other biohazards, Ozol cautioned against wading through them.
And when it comes to the ways in which residents can support local fire departments, both chiefs pointed to community involvement. “The best way they can support us is volunteering and joining us,” Barbera said. “Many hands make light work.”
Ozol agreed. “We’re always looking for new members. It’s a demanding job, but the more people who help, the better we’re able to serve the community.”
Beyond that, the chiefs urged residents to heed emergency warnings, avoid panic-calling 911 for updates, and be ready if they need to evacuate.
“Don’t try to pack your entire house into the back of our truck,” Barbera said. “We’re not a moving crew. We’re there to save life and property, as much as it can be, but life is the priority.”
With hurricane season in full swing, both chiefs hope residents take their advice to heart. As Barbera put it, “We’re prepared to do what we need to do. But the more prepared you are, the safer everyone will be.”
For more information on how to volunteer or support the fire department, visit AtlanticSteamerFire.com or call (516) 922-5414.
