By JOSEPH KELLARD
Held at the Knights of Columbus in Oceanside, the dinner-dance was attended by approximately 130 people, including Salamander's 64-active members and past members who came from as far as Maine and Florida.
"It is with great pride that we remember the founders of this company," wrote Todd Grim, captain of Salamander, in a letter to those in attendance. "Because they were willing to take the initiative to start the volunteer fire department in Oceanside, the community became a much safer place to live and work. This tradition of hard work and determination has been passed down from generation to generation within Salamander....It gives me great honor to serve this company as captain while we reach this milestone."
Grim, 25, a firefighter with Salamander for seven years and captain since 2001, comes from a family of Salamander firefighters. His father, Paul, 53, is a 35-year member, working as captain from 1989 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1994, and presently he is a member of Salamander's Board of Directors. Todd's grandfather, Ed Grim, 77, joined the company in 1942 and now sits with his son on the Board.
After Deacon James Flannery of St. Anthony's R.C. Church gave an invocation, Ed and two other firefighters were honored with gifts and accolades for their 50-plus years with Salamander. They were Richard Schroeder, who joined the company in 1940, and Robert Moyer, who joined in 1949 and presently serves as treasurer.
"The eqiupment, of course, has improved considerably since when I first started," Grim said. "We were antiquated in those days. We had all hand ladders. It took up to three men to lift the larger ladders. And there was a whole different technique to fighting fires, but we did it."
Salamander was the first fire company in Oceanside, it was founded on March 1, 1902. That day, 20 residents gathered at the home of Thomas T. Ramsden on Oceanside Road to discuss the problems of protecting against fires in town after a blaze destroyed a farmhouse near what is now Brower Avenue and Harold Street. At that time, fire protection consisted mainly of neighbors assisting in bucket brigades. The men agreed on the company's name, Salamander, a reptile formerly believed to be capable of living in fire.
In 1875, Rockville Centre established the first fire company in the area. East Rockaway established one in 1893, and Baldwin in 1896. A year after its establishment, Salamander purchased its first fire truck, and in 1906 it purchased property and built permanent quarters on Foxhurst Road, known then as School Street. In 1965, the Salamander Hall firehouse, which serves as headquaters for the Oceanside district, was rebuilt into the structure it is today.
"It's been a lot of fun just remembering all the past men in this company, a lot who I've never met before, who helped our company to get this far, and it's been a pleasure meeting all their families," Todd Grim said.
"It's a wonderful occassion," Moyer said. "Especially seeing the men I used to work with who moved out of state. And being together is amazing, because it's like a college reunion."
For Schroeder, the reunion brought him a touch of sentimental sadness.
"I was hoping to see more old friends tonight, but apparently they're all gone," he said. "So, it's a little sad for me, because you have those memories of the people who worked with you and had fun working with them."
Chief of Oceanside Fire District Kris Andoos said, "It's a great honor to be in at this time as chief, particularly since Salamandar is the company I always belong to. And we'll be celebrating the anniversary later this year, too."
On July 13, the Oceanside Fire District and other fire departments throughout Nassau County will continue to celebrate Salamander's anniversary during the annual summer parade, which ends at Firemen's Field on Mott Street.
