Bayville Fire Company History

1922-	Bayville Fire Company originated.
1928-	First Fire Department Headquarters erected at its current site, the corner of Jackson and Bayville Avenues.
1928-1981	Information to follow Soon!!
July 1981-	Bayville would host the Nassau County Parade and Drill in honor of Ex-Chief Cosmo D. Strigaro, at the time the President of the Nassau County Firemen's Association. Over 50 fire departments would participate in this gala event. Cosmo would later go on to become one of the most prominent figures in New York State volunteer fire organizations. Shortly after his untimely death in 1995 the softball fields at the New York State Firefighters Home in Hudson, NY would be dedicated and renamed in his memory. A memorial stone and plaque was donated to the facility by the Bayville Fire Company in August of 1996.
May 1982-	the Bayville Fire Company wins the Long Island Fire Department Softball Tournament for the first time. The site was Glen Cove City Stadium.
September 1982-	An early evening fire had an occupant trapped and severly burned in a Bayville home. The victim was removed from the home and transported to the hospital by BFC Ambulance 506. The victim would later fully recover from her injuries. The fire was under control within an hour under the direction of Chief Philip Baker.
June 1983-	on the eve of Bayville being host to the Fifth Battalion Parade and Drill, the members would spend the night fighting a major fire on a Centre Island estate. The fire was reported as members were putting the finishing touches on the grounds that host this event. Battling the blaze for most of the night, assistance was given by the Oyster Bays and Locust Valley. No injuries were reported under the direction of Chief Dwight McKinney. BFC members would report back to headquarters early the next day to help coordinate the days events.
August 1983-	the BFC softball team would win the Fifth Battalion Softball League championship. This would be the first of an incredible 14 straight championship seasons for the team.
October 1983-	the fire company would purchase its first Hurst Tool, commonly refered to as the "Jaws of Life", with the purchase of unit 504. It would also mark the first purchase of a diesel vehicle as well. The Bayville Centre Island Rotary Club was instrumental in raising the funds needed to purchase this tool.
January 1985-	during halftime of the Super Bowl, an alarm of fire was sounded for the mansion on the historic Fiedel property. Upon arrival Chief Charles Wright found the building fully engulfed in flames. On one of the coldest nights of the year the BFC with the aid of Locust Valley and the Oyster Bays wouls spend all night battling this blaze. Two nights later the fire company would fight a suspicious fire at the Jones Manor on the Sound Nursing Home. An alert employee of the facility was able to safely remove the residents before the fire company's arrival. Under the direction of Assistant Chief Edwin Ellison, the fire was under control in two hours. Later that same week the Fiedel property was ablaze again. After arriving in the early morning the firefighters would spend most of the day extinguishing the flames. Chief Charles Wright would later release the firefighters for a much needed rest.
January 1990	Avianca Airlines crash in Cove Neck. The Bayville Fire Company was one of the first departments called for mutual aid to assist the Oyster Bay Fire Companies in what at the time was Long Islands worst air disaster. The BFC was the fist ambulance unit to transport survivors to area hospitals. Chief Michael Parente directed Bayville's efforts.
October 1992-	the first production of the Haunted Firehouse takes place in conjunction with Friends of the Bayville Free Library. The fire company would later take over the full operation and it would become one of the most popular attractions on Long Island.
December 1992-	In early December, a Nor'eatser cripples the village for weeks. The fire company answers 336 alarms in a 36 hour period. 26 other fire departments assisted the Bayville Fire Company in their efforts which lasted for three weeks. Two homes were destroyed by fire and many more by water which in some areas reached 8' in depth. The Bayville Fire Company was awarded a Unit Citation by the Nassau County Fire Commission and County Executive Thomas Gullota. The BFC was led in these efforts by Chief Robert H. Broccolo.
August 1995-	The Sunrise Fires, Suffolk County. After a dry spell which reached drought proportions, the east end of Long Island was the scene of a wild fire that became the largest mutual aid incident in New York State history. Every fire department from Suffolk and Nassau County would become involved at one time or another. Even companies from the FDNY were called for assistance. Bayville vamps would respond twice to assist our neighbors in one of the proudest moments in Volunteer Firefighting history. Having been in need of a large mutual aid effort only years before, Chief Michael Parente offered our friends from Suffolk any help we could give.
June 1996-	a rescue call was received for an apparent overdose. Upon arrival Assistant Chief Tim Placilla found a victim laying on the floor not breathing and unresponsive. Chief Placilla radioed Chief John Doyle of the situation as he was responding. Upon arrival Chief Doyle found Chief Placilla administering CPR. Chief Placilla's efforts kept the victim alive until advanced techniques could be performed. Later that year Chief Doyle would present Chief Placilla with the Bayville Fire Company Life Saving Award at the Annual Installation Dinner.
October 1996-	a coastal storm would cause severe damage to portions of Bayville. Although this storm was not as damaging as 1992, many of the same homes would be hit once again. The BFC was called at the height of the storm to assist the Locust Valley FD who was in need of a rescue boat. Unit 5099 was dispatched to rescue a family of 5 whose Lattingtown home had become surrounded by the Long Island Sound. Operations in Bayville were directed by Chief John Doyle with Locust Valley, Glenwood, East Norwich, Melville and East Islip assisting.
December 1996-	A fire destroyed a residence in Bayville just days before the Christmas Holiday. This early morning blaze would be the first of 3 major fires within the village of Bayville during 1997. A family of 4 was left without a home, a minor injury to a firefighter was reported. Assistance was received from Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and East Norwich. Chief John Doyle was the Incident Commander.
April 1997-	Calls by neighbors to report an early morninig fire stated a family was trapped inside by the flames. Upon arrival it was discovered the family had escaped unharmed. The fire was brought under control in 30 minutes, a firefighter suffered a minor burn. Units from Locust Valley and Atlantic Steamer Fire Company assisted. Units were directed under the direction of Chief John Doyle.
July 1997-	A fire late one evening during the July 4th weekend tore through a home in Mill Neck estates. No injuries were reported. Locust Valley Fire Department and the Oyster Bay Fire Companies assisted. Chief John Doyle was the Officer in Charge.
August 1997-	Early August saw an estate in the village of Centre Island go up in flames. This would be the first time that Tanker 5011 would be pressed into service. A large mutual aid effort would be needed to bring this blaze under control. The home was undergoing an extensive renovation at the time of the fire. Operations would last for over 4 hours, with mutual aid coming from as far away as Huntington. Chief John Doyle would release the members shortly before midnight.
October 1997-	a mid afternoon explosion would rock a Bayville neighborhood. Three people who were working on a home would be seriously burned as a gas pipe they were working near became dislodged and ignited by a source in the basement of the home. Units were called in from Locust Valley, the Oyster Bay Fire Companies and East Norwich under the direction of Assistant Chief Tim Placilla.
November 1997-	addition to the fire company headquarters was started in November. The addition included a new entrance, new kitchen, and increased storage for equipment. A ground breaking ceremony, officiated by President George Baker and Chairman Ed Minnicozzi , was held and attended by local government leaders. The project was completed in early Spring 1998.
March 1998-	The fire company accepted delivery of it's first aerial device. This would be the first time since the Nor'easter of 1992 that the fleet would be complete. The truck is to become unit 502 and would be placed in service in the Spring of 1998.