[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 137 (Wednesday, September 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H8584-H8586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 EASTERN LONG ISLAND FIRE UNDER CONTROL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Forbes] is recognized for 20 
minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been said that the strongest and finest steel is 
forged from the hottest fire. So too, the wonderful people of Eastern 
Long Island emerge stronger and more resilient from the worst brush 
fire in modern memory, bolstered by the bravery of its volunteer 
firefighters, police, and other emergency personnel and by the tens of 
thousands of acts of kindness displayed throughout this nationally 
declared disaster that was televised around the world.
  It is with deep sense of relief and gratitude that I report to you 
today that all is now quiet on Eastern Long Island. The raging fire is 
no more; thanks to the determination and hard work of 3,000 
firefighters--volunteer firefighters, I might add--who came from all 
over Nassau and Suffolk counties, New York and even Connecticut; along 
with county, State and Federal fire experts; various military units, 
State, county, town, and village police officers and other emergency 
personnel, and the wonderful Red Cross all make possible a satisfying 
end to what otherwise could have been a most unfortunate disaster. 
Starting on Monday, August 21, 1995, in the Rocky Point area, then on 
Thursday erupting in Eastport-Westhampton, for over 13 days our raging 
brush fires devastated more than 7,000 acres of the precious 

[[Page H 8585]]
Pine Barrens. It earned the distinction of becoming the largest brush 
fire in New York State since the Adirondack fire of 1908 and 
unquestionably the biggest fire this century in Suffolk County. We are 
forever indebted to the thousands of volunteers who risked their lives 
battling the blazes, as well as our neighbors from across Long Island 
who cared for the weary firefighters, running food out to them, 
providing them with clothing to replace their own which became soot 
encrusted and water soaked; and to those who offered reassurance and 
comfort to hundreds of people, many senior citizens, who were forced to 
leave their homes because of the fire. Additionally, let us salute the 
dozens of people who cared for family pets and those animals relocated 
from shelters adjacent to the disaster.
  Fueled by whipping winds and dry brush, more than 1,800 acres in 
Rocky Point were the first to explode into flames. Firefighters from 
Rocky Point, Middle Island, and Ridge stood shoulder to shoulder along 
Whiskey Road and stopped the flames from engulfing local neighborhoods, 
including Leisure Village, Coventry Manor, and the Ridge Rest Home. 
Employing the assistance of 900 volunteers from 90 volunteer fire 
departments from across Long Island the Rocky Point blaze was brought 
under control with minimum property damage, no serious personal injury 
and thankfully, no loss of life.
  Before the embers from Rocky Point even cooled, our firefighters were 
called to respond to a second brushfire, made even more threatening by 
a ferocious, twisting wind, headed right for Eastport, Speonk, 
Westhampton, and Westhampton Beach. Moving at over 600 feet per hour, 
our volunteers beat back a wall of fire that at its worst leaped some 
100 feet into the sky with a trail of billowing smoke seen for 250 
miles out to sea. Tired and exhausted, our volunteer firefighters dug 
deep within their own being to find the strength to carry on the face 
of such overwhelming odds. They put the health and welfare of an entire 
Eastern Long Island community ahead of their own safety to stop the 
raging inferno. The perseverance, determination, bravery, and courage 
of some 5,000 firefighters, police, emergency medical and other 
personnel
 can be summed up simply with the words of Bruce Stark, a 24-year-old 
firefighter from East Islip: ``Civilians are depending on us, and if we 
bail out they have no hope.''

  As we held our breaths and said our prayers, it was this world class, 
greatest bunch of firefighters ever, that put us at ease and made 
possible an end to the disaster with a minimum of injuries and no loss 
of life.
  Our heartfelt thanks go out to each and every firefighter, police 
officer, and rescue worker who selflessly worked for days to extinguish 
the mammoth fire. Our emergency medical services, like everyone else, 
performed above and beyond the call of duty, and I would particularly 
like to thank everyone at Central Suffolk Hospital, Southampton 
Hospital and University Medical Center at Stony Brook for their onsite 
care, which undoubtedly helped to minimize the extent of injuries.
  Thanks are due to those who gave of their time, money, and talents to 
help neighbors, friends, and mostly, strangers in a time of need. To 
cite just a few examples: Robert and Marylou Gottschalk of Wading 
River, took it upon themselves to make and distribute 260 sandwiches 
during the Rocky Point fire. Pete Pisello, owner of Rainbow Realty, 
organized a group of businesses in Mastic to supply food and drink to 
the firefighters. Some 50 volunteers at Mattituck High School, 
including large numbers of children, made sandwiches and bagged melons, 
apples, and pretzels--as did local delis--for the firefighers. Dozens 
of other community members coordinated food donations at area 
businesses like 7-11 and Aid Auto Stores, or simply dropped off cases 
of soda or a clean tee shirt. The individuals and donations are without 
number, but none is forgotten.
  It is impossible to try and adequately recognize all of the people 
and organizations who offered support but you know who you are. I 
thank, as well, the hundreds of businesses both large and small who, 
gave their employees paid leave to help with the fire efforts, or 
donated supplies to the hardworking and tireless firefighters 
including: K-Mart, Caldor, McDonald's, King Cullen Supermarkets, A&P 
Supermarkets, Waldbaums, AT&T, the Cutchogue Village market, the Handy 
Pantry, Ammirati's Cupboard, the Long Island Culinary Institute, South 
Shore Beverage. Good Humor and Mr. Softee Ice Cream, whose ice cream 
trucks not only helped to keep our firefighters cool but helped to 
boost morale on the front lines. North Fork Bank and Suffolk County 
National Bank made cash donations to the fire companies to offset the 
costs of fighting the fire. Cablevision of Long Island not only 
established the ``Long Island Volunteer Firefighters' Fund'' for the 
education and training of volunteer firefighters, but matched every 
contribution dollar for dollar. And Suffolk County Community College 
has created the ``Sunrise Scholarship,'' a financial aid fund for the 
children of those who helped fight the fire. The list is endless, and 
all deserve our thanks and admiration for their compassion, charity, 
and willingness to lend a helping hand.
  Nothing exemplifies the American spirit more than the kind of 
selfless volunteerism exhibited during these trying times. Unselfishly 
treating one's neighbors like family, coming to their aid in times of 
danger, and putting community interest above self interest, it's this 
kind of action that more truly embodies all that is good about our 
Nation. The thousands upon thousands of hours volunteer firefighters 
devote to training and learning the latest techniques are demonstrated 
in their quick responses to calls
 and their expertise in putting out fires. After recent events, for so 
many of us who call Eastern Long Island home, we shall honor those who 
were called upon to save our community from the ravages of the worst 
fire in Long Island history. In those few days we witnessed first hand 
the acts of Long Island's solid-gold, true blue American heroes and on 
behalf of all of us in the community, I express my utmost gratitude to 
all who worked so successfully to save our homes, our businesses, our 
schools, and our churches and synagogues.

  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask the indulgence of the House and join 
me in a salute to Chief Richard Gianmugnai of Ridge, Chief Jeffrey Noss 
of Middle Island, Chief John Buckner of Rocky Point, Chief Dean Culver 
of Westhampton, Chief Richard Schermeyer of Quogue, Chief James Baker 
of Eastport, Chief Allan Geyer of Hampton Bays, all the chiefs and 
every member of the 176 fire companies and the 49 men and women injured 
during the disaster who everyday risk their lives for their neighbors. 
May God bless each and everyone of them and their families for a job 
well done. Thank you.
  Attached is a list of injured fire fighters who risked their lives in 
the Rocky Point and Westhampton Beach fires. These people give their 
time and effort to volunteer for the fire department. I applaud them in 
their dedication to protecting the residents and the local communities 
from dangerous fires such as the recent ones that occurred on Eastern 
Long Island.

       This is a list of injured fire fighters available as of 
     September 6, 1995:
       C. Bianco/Bethpage;
       C. Manzellan/Flanders;
       E. Johnston/Shirley;
       R. Carey/Bayport;
       F. Maute/Shirley;
       T. Lynn/Manorville;
       R. Carmagnola/Bellmore;
       R. Pierson/Southampton;
       B. Fleischman/Riverhead;
       P. Thomason/Center Moriches;
       A. Kyroski/East Quogue;
       P. Damato/Nesconset;
       C. McKenneth/Quogue;
       J. Feinberg/Bayport;
       K. McAteer/Central Islip;
       F. Lutz/East Quogue;
       H. Adler/Middle Island;
       J. Washbaugh/Southampton;
       P. Berun/Deer Park;
       G. Reeder/Dix Hills;
       R. Mina/North Babylon;
       D. Ryan;
       J. Kenneth;
       D. Durinick;
       A. McEntee;
       M. Benefante;
       W. Pyse;
       P. Hicks;
       P. McCormick;
       J. Fortner;
       J. Cole;
       J. O'Shea/Eastport;
       William Erario, North Babylon; Gregory Brown/East Hampton 
     Village F.D.; and Lynn Halsey/Gabreski airport employee.
       Selden Fire Department injuries: Rachel Rodgers; 
     Christopher Bedus; George Bopp; Wayne Preston; James 
     Pitterese.

[[Page H 8586]]

       Flanders Fire Department: Charlie Manzella; Frank Belson; 
     and Robert A. Train.
       Westhampton Beach Fire Department: Paul Hoyle.
       Mastic Beach Fire Department: Gary Fuzie; David Bilodeau; 
     William Biondi; Glen Olsen; Christopher Nunemaker; Ed Maute; 
     and Edward Johnston.
     

                          ____________________