By Hector Flores
The fire department also held a dedication ceremony for its new Ladder Truck No. 606 and its new Ambulance Truck No. 6011.
Stephen Marsar, a Bellmore Fire Department commissioner who presided over the ceremony, said, "This new building will serve as a model for all other firehouses."
Ray McCarthy, a Bellmore assistant fire chief, said, "It seemed like it would never be finished. Through the building's construction phase, people always asked me why we needed a building so large, and I told them that it will be equipped with the most advanced equipment available."
According to Marsar and McCarthy, the building comes complete with a state-of-the-art training room, and audio and visual equipment. Additionally, it features a 200-seat meeting hall, and can house up to 10 fire trucks. The building's main lobby includes memorials to firefighters Lt. Kevin Prior and Adam Rand. The two were members of the New York City Fire Department and Bellmore department who died trying to save lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
Construction of the new firehouse began in October 2002, after a fellow firefighter, Clifford Seaman, set the old headquarters ablaze in May of 2001. The fire started on the second floor, destroying the kitchen, meeting hall, office supplies, plaques and pictures. More than 100 firefighters from six departments were needed to bring the blaze under control. In the end, the fire caused $1 million in damage. Seaman was arrested and charged with arson, to which he pleaded guilty in February 2002.
During construction of the new firehouse, firefighters from the Pettit headquarters were relocated to the Newbridge Road Station No. 3. The station served as a temporary home for 25 firefighters and one engine truck.
Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, a Democrat of Merrick, was among the dignitaries invited to the dedication, and said that the community could never do enough for its volunteer firefighters. "You were the backbone of the community, but after Sept. 11, you were the backbone of the country," Denenberg said.
The Bellmore Fire Department is planning a public open house in October.
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
