Fire Department, Nassau County

[Taxed outttt]

Why does Nassau County's "volunteer" fire department cost over $180 Million a year?? For Syossett the cost per alarm is almost $4K. That is pretty atrocious. That is an area to look into if you want your taxes to go down.

[New2012]

Why does Nassau County's "volunteer" fire department cost over $180 Million a year?? For Syossett the cost per alarm is almost $4K. That is pretty atrocious. That is an area to look into if you want your taxes to go down.

one short answer is to insure each volunteer. If Nassau went to a full time paid system they would save money in the long term, like 20 years. But to initiate that would cost a ton of money. Plus it would be met by resistance because most volunteers are just hang around people and aren't worth squat in regards to fighting fires/rescues. Maybe you should join your local fire house and investigate this from the inside. You would see that only a small percentage goes towards crap like drill teams, and beer/bbQ's. Don't forget that volunteer firefighters get discounted rates at Nassau Community College, and some even get placed on the governments pension system. Again, more of a reason to join. They dare you to cross that line.

[Unregistered55]

one short answer is to insure each volunteer. If Nassau went to a full time paid system they would save money in the long term, like 20 years. But to initiate that would cost a ton of money. Plus it would be met by resistance because most volunteers are just hang around people and aren't worth squat in regards to fighting fires/rescues. Maybe you should join your local fire house and investigate this from the inside. You would see that only a small percentage goes towards crap like drill teams, and beer/bbQ's. Don't forget that volunteer firefighters get discounted rates at Nassau Community College, and some even get placed on the governments pension system. Again, more of a reason to join. They dare you to cross that line.

Firehouse = homeless shelter for unemployed ME generation.

[fire????????????]

I have no interest in joining. Every dept in Nassau County has had to cut until it hurts. The Fd guys are still going on conventions and hosting dinners that cost the taxpayers over $100K. Is there a reason why that is necessary? Time to cut like everyone else has.

There are rarely any working fires in Nassau County. Maybe 2 or 3 per Department. Most of the aided cases are done by the PD or by paid people. Is this really cost effective???

[350179]

Every so often this comes to light. In my home town the portion of my town tax that pays for fire service is less than $400. If there was a paid service I'll bet that portion of tax would be much higher. It just see that every time the union guys have nothing better to do , this comes to light. I guess the more people who are in the union , the more money the union president gets paid. If you are unhappy here in Nassau with the volunteer fire service, move to NYC.

[Unregisteredsfdtaxpayer]

Why does Nassau County's "volunteer" fire department cost over $180 Million a year?? For Syossett the cost per alarm is almost $4K. That is pretty atrocious. That is an area to look into if you want your taxes to go down.

My taxes are over $11,000.00 a year, the fire district portion is only $240 for the year. Give me a break, if you think having the county FD will cost me less than $240 a year, you're smoking crack!!!!

[Unrggggggggg]

THey need to cut useless crap. If its $240 or $500 it needs to be less

Mt FD tax is about $380 a year. My entire county tax bill is only about $1300. Thats a huge chunk for something that is volunteer

[8998]

THey need to cut useless crap. If its $240 or $500 it needs to be less

Mt FD tax is about $380 a year. My entire county tax bill is only about $1300. Thats a huge chunk for something that is volunteer

I agree ...Let's go paid so our fire service part of our bill could be $800 +/- added to our bill. My taxes are too low. ..Guess I'm on the same drugs you are.

[Fire Guys Hangouts]

I agree ...Let's go paid so our fire service part of our bill could be $800 +/- added to our bill. My taxes are too low. ..Guess I'm on the same drugs you are.

Where in the original posting does it say lets go paid? It says they need to cut the waste. Get rid of the fancy dinners, cut the conventions, get rid of the take home cars. Cut the spending big time

[Unrejuiolo]

Firehouse = homeless shelter for unemployed ME generation.

So true

[Happy Gilmore]

Firehouse = homeless shelter for unemployed ME generation.

ALSO......DISABILITY NYFD GUYS.....COLLECTING TAX FREE PENSIONS

HEY MR CUOMO....THERE IS A BIG BIG BIG WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS

[haven't a clue]

Why does Nassau County's "volunteer" fire department cost over $180 Million a year?? For Syossett the cost per alarm is almost $4K. That is pretty atrocious. That is an area to look into if you want your taxes to go down.

I HOPE YOU DO NOT DO YOUR OWN TAXES......CUZ YOUR FIGURES ARE SO OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered00000000]

I HOPE YOU DO NOT DO YOUR OWN TAXES......CUZ YOUR FIGURES ARE SO OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are NOT off. Add up the budgets for the FDs. $180M. Syosset states those figures themselves

[Unregistered Signal 5]

What makes me laugh is these guys compare themselves to veterans. They are heros, yeah right. Every dept has numerous shrines to their fellow club house members. What happened to humility??

[Unregistered33]

What makes me laugh is these guys compare themselves to veterans. They are heros, yeah right. Every dept has numerous shrines to their fellow club house members. What happened to humility??

35 year holds playing call of duty video games all day are not heroes

[Unregistered3128]

Look at all the volunteers in your community, let them be paid too! like the soccer coaches that your pay a $60 fee for each child. pay a coach watch that go to 150 per kid, and thats only for one sport and what if you had more than one child!!! most of you nay sayers have never volunteered in your community a day in your life, so take a good look around that glass house you live in before you throw a stone. My town fire tax bill 387.00 per year a little more than a dollar a day, ok then add a donation for fund drive 50-75 dollars!. Look at all of your other tax line items on your bill then evaluate needs. Also last I check AQUA water charges for fire hydrant rental. In my district thats to the tune of 290-300,000 per year roughly 8-10% of budget. I'm not saying that taxes aren't high but don't just bash the essential services that we need to protect your families while you are at work, possibly protecting someone elses family in another county not fortunate enough to be as nice as ours.
Yes I am a volunteer FF

[Unregistered3128]

Look at all the volunteers in your community, let them be paid too! like the soccer coaches that your pay a $60 fee for each child. pay a coach watch that go to 150 per kid, and thats only for one sport and what if you had more than one child!!! most of you nay sayers have never volunteered in your community a day in your life, so take a good look around that glass house you live in before you throw a stone. My town fire tax bill 387.00 per year a little more than a dollar a day, ok then add a donation for fund drive 50-75 dollars!. Look at all of your other tax line items on your bill then evaluate needs. Also last I check AQUA water charges for fire hydrant rental. In my district thats to the tune of 290-300,000 per year roughly 8-10% of budget. I'm not saying that taxes aren't high but don't just bash the essential services that we need to protect your families while you are at work, possibly protecting someone elses family in another county not fortunate enough to be as nice as ours.
Yes I am a volunteer FF

[Unregistered3128]

sorry problem connecting

[Unregistered55]

Look at all the volunteers in your community, let them be paid too! like the soccer coaches that your pay a $60 fee for each child. pay a coach watch that go to 150 per kid, and thats only for one sport and what if you had more than one child!!! most of you nay sayers have never volunteered in your community a day in your life, so take a good look around that glass house you live in before you throw a stone. My town fire tax bill 387.00 per year a little more than a dollar a day, ok then add a donation for fund drive 50-75 dollars!. Look at all of your other tax line items on your bill then evaluate needs. Also last I check AQUA water charges for fire hydrant rental. In my district thats to the tune of 290-300,000 per year roughly 8-10% of budget. I'm not saying that taxes aren't high but don't just bash the essential services that we need to protect your families while you are at work, possibly protecting someone elses family in another county not fortunate enough to be as nice as ours.
Yes I am a volunteer FF

Volleys are paid.

The receive a taxpayer paid pension, free alcohol, free food, free entertainment center, free place for family parties, free car washes, 10% property tax discount.

[8686]

Volleys are paid.

The receive a taxpayer paid pension, free alcohol, free food, free entertainment center, free place for family parties, free car washes, 10% property tax discount.

Eat your heart out , union slug. Stub your toe in your fire house in one of your drunken stoopers and milk it for 3/4 payout. Seems better than what we can do.

[jealousy?]

Eat your heart out , union slug. Stub your toe in your fire house in one of your drunken stoopers and milk it for 3/4 payout. Seems better than what we can do.


Nice try. Learn your facts before stating bullshit.

As for the Long Island vollies, recall that Newsday series where the wife of a Rockville Centre vollie said it perfectly:


"Take away the perks, and the true vollies will remain".

Witnessed many a night vollies leaving houses with buzzes or more.

What would a vollie house do with 21 dedicated vollies when the perks are taken away?

Oh, wait. Those are the 21 guys who bust their asses on calls and training, yet are probably called 'FDNY wannabe's" by the knife and forkers.

[Unregistered339]

Nice try. Learn your facts before stating bullshit.

As for the Long Island vollies, recall that Newsday series where the wife of a Rockville Centre vollie said it perfectly:


"Take away the perks, and the true vollies will remain".

Witnessed many a night vollies leaving houses with buzzes or more.

What would a vollie house do with 21 dedicated vollies when the perks are taken away?

Oh, wait. Those are the 21 guys who bust their asses on calls and training, yet are probably called 'FDNY wannabe's" by the knife and forkers.


Every fh has maybe 8-10 dedicated personel. The rest are just freeloaders there to drink and get the bennies.

[jealousy?]

Every fh has maybe 8-10 dedicated personel. The rest are just freeloaders there to drink and get the bennies.

Alas, you are right. I remember when the community and media loved their firemen. Now most just shake their heads at them.

Which is a shame for those dedicated ones we mention.

[Unregistered720]

I have no interest in joining. Every dept in Nassau County has had to cut until it hurts. The Fd guys are still going on conventions and hosting dinners that cost the taxpayers over $100K. Is there a reason why that is necessary? Time to cut like everyone else has.

There are rarely any working fires in Nassau County. Maybe 2 or 3 per Department. Most of the aided cases are done by the PD or by paid people. Is this really cost effective???

maybe 2 or 3 working fires a year lol, come over to the village of hempstead were up to 21 working fires this year and om pretty sure that number will increase by the end of this calender year ....

[whyOwhy]

I wonder why sooooo many fires occur in that hamlet, yet not elsewhere on LI...................

[Unregistered12wedsw]

I wonder why sooooo many fires occur in that hamlet, yet not elsewhere on LI...................

I wonder why your an ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered433333333333d]

maybe 2 or 3 working fires a year lol, come over to the village of hempstead were up to 21 working fires this year and om pretty sure that number will increase by the end of this calender year ....

21 working fires a year is still less than 2 a month. And that is a busy department. The thing is no one cares if Hempstead burns and most of those fires are set for the insurance.

[Unregistered37h307]

Plain & simple... not saying "go paid or union". The Island needs volunteers. But it's time to sell about 50 of the 200 houses in Nassau County. Sell their trucks, equipment , sell the house... The money saved would be mind boggling. You can combine the departments so more men can respond, and you can weed out the "class c" (unable to respond to fires firefighters). Does Lynbrook really need 5 houses to cover a 2 mile district?? Rockville Center has another five houses for their 3 mile district. Do you really need Albertson, Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola & Garden city park have 8 houses to cover about 4 miles combined?? Heck, there must be 14 engines, 6 ladders and a few rescue trucks to those smaller & slow (calls wise) departments. How about Port Washington?? They have 2 separate houses on the same damn block (though it's really 2 blocks for a mailing address, but they back up to each other)

Long Island has 150 heavy duty rescue trucks that cost at least 500 thousand dollars a pop. NYC has 6 (1 for each borough & 1 extra...just in case needed). The Island could sell 130 of them for 400K each and still have more than 3 times the amount of NYC. For selling those "heavy duty" rescue trucks the island now has over 50 million dollars added to their budgets. Never mind what kind of money they would get for the 200 or so engines you could sell & ladder trucks. Plus some of these houses are in PRIME real estate locations.

Trim the fat....it's 2010. People are out of work, people who have worked for 20-30 years are losing jobs. It's time to tighten up the belt buckle across the board.

[Ex Cgief Hempstead]

21 working fires a year is still less than 2 a month. And that is a busy department. The thing is no one cares if Hempstead burns and most of those fires are set for the insurance.

You are wrong. Maybe a fire is started by a homeless person trying to keep warm, or a heating issue that isnt taken care of because they cant afford it. Most are just plain old accidents. If you lived in Hempstead as I have all my life you would care if your neighbors home or business burned. Hempstead has an excellent fire dept. Elmont, Freeport, and Long Beach are right up their too, and dont talk about the paid in Long Beach because there are vollies there too. To make a stupid statement like that you might be the one lighting fires for insurance. Stay home in your nice warm house and shut up.

[Unregistered???]

They are NOT off. Add up the budgets for the FDs. $180M. Syosset states those figures themselves

Does Syosset state those figures? I'd like to check it out for myself.

[3758679]

Does Syosset state those figures? I'd like to check it out for myself.

They have the highest budget on Long Island ! 7.5 mil

[UnregisteredWrong]

Not what I asked. The writer made a statement that "Syosset states the $180M..."

Where is this stated?

Also, your amount is wrong on their buget.

[Guest 23]

It's all well and good to say that there are too many firehouses in a relatively small area. But who gives up their local and close by firehouse, and who makes that determination? And if an incorporated village wants to have its own fire department, why should the town, the county or anyone but the taxpayers who pay for it have any say in the matter?

Plain & simple... not saying "go paid or union". The Island needs volunteers. But it's time to sell about 50 of the 200 houses in Nassau County. Sell their trucks, equipment , sell the house... The money saved would be mind boggling. You can combine the departments so more men can respond, and you can weed out the "class c" (unable to respond to fires firefighters). Does Lynbrook really need 5 houses to cover a 2 mile district?? Rockville Center has another five houses for their 3 mile district. Do you really need Albertson, Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola & Garden city park have 8 houses to cover about 4 miles combined?? Heck, there must be 14 engines, 6 ladders and a few rescue trucks to those smaller & slow (calls wise) departments. How about Port Washington?? They have 2 separate houses on the same damn block (though it's really 2 blocks for a mailing address, but they back up to each other)

Long Island has 150 heavy duty rescue trucks that cost at least 500 thousand dollars a pop. NYC has 6 (1 for each borough & 1 extra...just in case needed). The Island could sell 130 of them for 400K each and still have more than 3 times the amount of NYC. For selling those "heavy duty" rescue trucks the island now has over 50 million dollars added to their budgets. Never mind what kind of money they would get for the 200 or so engines you could sell & ladder trucks. Plus some of these houses are in PRIME real estate locations.

Trim the fat....it's 2010. People are out of work, people who have worked for 20-30 years are losing jobs. It's time to tighten up the belt buckle across the board.

[Nassau Cty Fire Dpt]

What ever happened to creating a paid system of fireman like in NYC?

[UnregisteredSexaw]

Where in the original posting does it say lets go paid? It says they need to cut the waste. Get rid of the fancy dinners, cut the conventions, get rid of the take home cars. Cut the spending big time

There needs to be some type of perks to keep people volunteering. Cut the number of houses and rescue trucks we have. We don't need a firehouse every couple of blocks when we have a handful of fires a year.