Smithtown Fire Department

The NYS Department of Financial Services staff will be deployed to affected communities this week to provide insurance help to residents and businesses affected by severe weather and will also be staffing a resource center to assist residents and business owners with insurance-related questions. DFS staff will be deployed to the following affected communities:

On Sunday August 18th 2024, @ 10:52PM the members of the Smithtown Fire Department were called to multiple alarms in Smithtown & the surrounding districts due to heavy rain and severe flooding caused by a massive storm that blew threw the area Sunday night
into Monday morning.
Many calls for help were called into 911 as well as the Smithtown Fire District emergency call center. These calls were for residential and commercial severe flooding issues as well as trapped motorists because of high levels of water in the streets.
During this time The Smithtown Fire Department was called to a reported house hit by lighting on St. Nicholas Avenue. Upon arrival they were faced with a residential working structure fire.
Due to many alarms happening at the same time the response to the house fire was immediate, the fire was contained to the attic and was under control in short time.
The response of the Smithtown Fire Department members, was lead by The Chief of the Department Timothy Duckham and assisted by all 3 assistant chiefs (Daniel Dongvort, Andrew Kelly & Joseph Palazzo).
The department responded to ;
8- Water Rescues
21- Flooding calls
3- Structure Fires
1- Working Fire
10- Automatic House Alarms
6- Ambulance assistance.
At approximately 9:30am on Aug 19th The Smithtown Fire Department was alerted for a possible water dam break in the vicinity of Route 25 and Route 25A with report of residents trapped on the 2nd floor. Members were able to safely return the victims to area of refuge.
The amount and complexity of all calls handle swiftly and professionally by the men and women of the Smithtown Volunteer Fire Department.
There was no serious injuries reported but extensive damage to many homes and business in the area.

Members of the Smithtown FD and Senior Explorers in conjunction with RNs from Stony Brook University Hospital, presented CPR/AED demonstrations at Smithtown High School West. Graduating students had the opportunity to practice “hands only cpr” and learn this vital skill.

A few members traveled to Syracuse this past week to attend the New York State Association Fire Chief hands on training. We are honored to be able to send a few members to sharpen their skills and bring back what they learn from this annual event.

A busy few days for the Smithtown Fire Department. Between Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon we responded to 2 vehicle fires and were mutual aided to a structure fire in Hauppauge.

On April 11 at 11:45 the Smithtown Fire Department was activated for a vehicle fire in one of the parking lots of the 4th Police Precinct. Crews responded and found a fully involved electric vehicle fire under solar panels and next to other vehicles. Units 4-2-31, 4-2-1, 4-2-4, 4-2-9A, 4-2-6-4, and 4-2-6-5 extinguished the vehicle fire and secured all vehicles involved. Units operated for one hour under the command of 1st Assistant Chief Dongvort.
Photos courtesy of Evan Rolla

This week's First Responder Friday will be recognizing Ex Captain Frederick Friedman. Frederick first joined Smithtown Fire Department in March of 1974. He is 50-year member of Engine Company 4 where he has received numerous awards throughout his career. Frederick has played an intricate part of the Fire Prevention Committee for thirty-five years. He has been a staple in the Department and is known around the school community as Fireman Fred. Please join us in honoring Ex Captain Frederick Friendman. Thank you Frederick!

Smithtown holds special meeting for department and company elections. Congratulations to all Chiefs, department officers and company officers!

On April 3 at 11:57 the Smithtown Fire Department was activated for a structure fire with smoke in the house on Cake Walk Terrace in Smithtown. Crews responded and found smoke and flames visible from the front of the house and reactivated the alarm as a working fire. Chiefs 4-2-31, 4-2-32, 4-2-33, Engines 4-2-1, 4-2-3 (acting 4-2-5), 4-2-4, Rescue 4-2-9A, and Fire Police 4-2-10 worked to extinguish the fire, search for victims, and secure the scene. Multiple EMS crews from Ambulances 4-2-6-2, 4-2-6-4 and 4-2-6-5 worked tirelessly to assist with rehab and treating minor injuries of firefighters on scene. Several neighboring departments were mutual aided to the scene as well as to Smithtown’s headquarters to cover several additional alarms within the district during the working fire. Units operated for approximately 3 hours under the command of 1st Assistant Chief Dongvort.

Want to make a difference? Stop by the Smithtown Fire Department on April 13 between 10am and 2pm for an open house with hands on demonstrations!

Today was a busy day for our Smithtown fire department volunteers! Our crews throughout the afternoon and evening hours handled nearly a dozen calls for EMS assistance from the community, numerous automatic fire alarms, a house overcome by carbon monoxide, and a motor vehicle accident requiring the patient to be cut out with the use of the hurst tool. Lastly, and surely not least; to top off the evening members spent a few hours at the St. Patrick’s church on Main Street helping parishioners begin the Easter holiday. The whole days work for our Smithtown volunteers!

The 100th annual Memorial Day Parade is this year! Mark your calendars! Monday, May 27, at 12pm on Main Street in Smithtown.

On March 10 at 01:47 the Smithtown Fire Department was activated for a water rescue with a vehicle into water. Crews responded and found a vehicle had gone over the guard rail and into the water on 25a in Smithtown. Units completed patient care on individuals which were able to exit the vehicle and checked the vehicle to ensure there was no one else inside. Units 4-2-32, 4-2-33, 4-2-6-2, 4-2-6-4, 4-2-6-5, and 4-2-19 were on scene for approximately one hour under the command of Second Assistant Chief Kelly.

In the early hours of February 20 a house fire ignited at 19 Dorchester Road, Smithtown. Starting in the garage, the blaze extended to the main living area and attic. The incident, activated at 0345 hours, required a quick response from local fire departments, led by Smithtown Fire Department. Chief Timothy Duckham arrived first, upgrading the alarm to a working fire and calling for mutual aid. Engine 4-2-3 quickly attacked the garage fire while securing water, followed by Engine 4-2-4 stretching a line through the front door to slow fire spread, with Engine 4-2-5 assisting with opening up to access the attic. Nesconset FD provided a ladder truck and conducted primary searches. Assistant Chiefs Daniel Dongvort, Andrew Kelly, and Joseph Palazzo coordinated operations under Chief Duckham’s command. Around 75 firefighters battled freezing conditions, bringing the fire under control within an hour. Mutual aid was provided by Nesconset, Hauppauge, St. James, Commack, and Kings Park Fire Departments. Nissequogue and Central Islip Fire Departments covered the district, with EMS support from Central Islip-Hauppauge Ambulance Corps and Stony Brook Fire Department. Occupants safely evacuated, with no reported injuries. The fire’s cause is under investigation by Town of Smithtown Fire Marshal’s Office and Suffolk County Police Arson Squad. Chief Duckham praised firefighters’ bravery and professionalism despite harsh conditions, expressing pride in their dedication. See our website for full Press Release and Additional Information.

On January 28 at 4:20 PM, the Smithtown Fire Department was activated for an automatic alarm on Howard Court. The homeowner then called advising he had an active dryer fire.
Upon arrival by Smithtown Chief, 4 –2–32 (Kelly) he radioed back to dispatch it was a working dryer fire and asked the alarm to be upgraded and reactivated as such. Arriving soon afterwards, Smithtown Chief 4-2–33 (Palazzo) who entered the premises to try and extinguish the fire with a pressurized water can. 
Smithtown engine 4-2-4 was on scene within minutes and stretched an 1” 3/4 hose line into the house to fully extinguish the fire. 
Full command of the situation was established by the Chief of the Smithtown FD 4–2–30 (Duckham) also on scene was 4-2-31 (Dongvort).
Mutual aids from Commack, Nissequogue, St. James and CVAC ambulance were requested.
There were no reported injuries to any of the homeowners or firefighters. Photos by Joe Sperber.

On this icy Saturday morning January 20th, The Smithtown Fire Department was called out at 9:41 AM for a motor vehicle accident involving a truck into a building. A service van crashed into the rear loading dock at Uncle Giuseppe‘s marketplace. 
Upon arrival by all Smithtown Chiefs,(Duckham,Dongvort,Kelly & Palazzo) they determined, although no injuries to the occupants of the vehicle; the loading dock needed to be secured before collapse. They summoned for Smithtown FD’s Heavy Rescue 4-2-9A and 
4-2-19. The building was secured at 10:09 AM with the help of the crew from Engine 4-2-4. Smithtown EMS 4-2-65 was on standby at the scene for precautionary measures.

On January 13th at 11:48, the Smithtown Fire Department was activated for a vehicle fire on Amsterdam Road in Smithtown. Crews responded and found a grey Pontiac Grand Prix on fire with visible flames from the engine compartment. Engines 4-2-5 and 4-2-3, Chiefs 4-2-31, 4-2-32, and 4-2-33, Rescue 4-2-9A, and Ambulance 4-2-6-1D worked together to extinguish the fire and secure the vehicle. Units operated for approximately 30 minutes under the command of 1st Assistant Chief Dongvort.

On Thursday, January 4th, the Smithtown Chiefs Council held its annual election for its Executive Board at Kings Park’s Fire Headquarters. Our very own, Chief of Department, Timothy J. Duckham was elected to the Vice President position, moving up from the position of Sargent at Arms. The following is the new slate of the Executive Board:

President: Frank Pino (4-1-30)
Vice President: Timothy J. Duckham (4-2-30)
Sergeant at Arms: Ryan Davis (Ex-Chief St. James FD)
Secretary: Bob Crain (Ex-Chief Nissequogue FD)
Treasurer: Vincent Puleo (Ex-Chief Nesconset FD)

The Smithtown Chiefs Council is comprised of all of the former and current Chiefs from the Smithtown Township including Commack and Hauppauge Fire Departments. The council meets monthly to ensure integration and collaboration of the Departments within our Township.

The Smithtown FD congratulates all of the newly elected board members and we thank the outgoing President Chief Frank Barry of the Commack FD - thank for your time and leadership as President of the Council from 2021 to 2023.

Ringing in the new year! The Smithtown Fire Dept responded to 30 alarms in the first 48 hours of 2024! These alarms ranged from car accidents to reported structure fires, automatic fire alarms, and a multitude of EMS alarms, as well as the first working housefire in suffolk county.

As seen here in the pictures, members were met with a room and contents fire on the top floor of a multi family dwelling. On scene from Smithtown was engines 3, 4, 5 and Rescue company 9 and Ambulance company 6, as well as all three assistant chiefs. The fire was placed under control in under 40 minutes, and all units operated under command of chief of department, Timothy J Duckham.

Many thanks to our mutual aid departments for their assistance. (Hauppauge, Kings park, Nesconset, st James, Nissequogue and Commack ambulance)

In 2023, the Smithtown Fire Department answered the call of fire or emergency 4,474 times.

Santa tracker is live! Visit smithtownfd.org to view real time location of Santa. Parade begins at 4pm. Route is also posted at smithtownfd.org. See you all soon!