Wantagh Fire Department

02/22/2026

So we can provide efficient response in the event of an emergency, and for the safety of our members, we will be on stand-by in the firehouses beginning this afternoon and through the night.

In order to prevent unnecessary calls for service please use extra caution when cooking or using candles so that you don’t accidentally set off smoke alarms. If you do, please call your alarm company and inform them that your alarm was set off in error and that you would like to cancel the Fire Department, PROVIDED THAT THERE WAS NO FIRE. Also, make sure heating, fireplace and dryer vents are free of accumulating snow at all times to prevent deadly Carbon Monoxide from backing up into your home.

Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, and don’t leave pets outside longer than necessary.

You should be in good physical condition before you start to remove snow from your property. If not, consider hiring someone. Always stretch before starting, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. If you experience shortness of breath or chest pains, STOP. If your condition does not improve, call for help.

Be sure to clear all snow from around any hydrants near your home at least 3’ in every direction, including the street. In the event of a fire, Firefighters will be busy hooking up the Fire Engine to a hydrant and stretching hose lines to attack the fire and every second counts, especially if someone is trapped inside. Don’t wait for someone else to do it, work together and make sure the hydrants are accessible.

Kevin Regan, PIO

02/21/2026

A Blizzard Warning has been issued in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Southern Westchester Counties beginning tomorrow, February 22 at 6:00 a.m. until Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. which means you could expect strong winds accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, resulting in reduced visibility. “Fell-like” temperatures will be in the low teens. Wind gusts of up to 55-60 mph, possibly higher, are expected which may result in loss of electric and downed power lines.
Snowfall will begin during the day on Sunday, February 22nd, but the strongest winds and blizzard conditions are expected Sunday afternoon and throughout the day on Monday. Between 15-20 inches of snow is possible with snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour at times.
• Charge cell phones and other electronic devices.
• If you have elderly neighbors, please check on them often and assist whenever possible.
• Remove your cars from the roadway so that the plows can pass easily through your street.
• Avoid travel if possible. ​
• If you must travel: clean off your vehicle before driving, drive slow and leave extra stopping distance between vehicles.
• Practice safe shoveling: dress warmly, stay hydrated, move only small amounts of snow, and take frequent breaks.
• Read and follow all safety guidelines when using a snowblower or generator.

Finally, If you have a hydrant near your home, please assist us and your neighbors by removing the snow at least 3 feet in all directions from around the hydrant. There has been a significant increase in house fires this past winter and there have been several instances where firefighters had to dig out hydrants to connect Fire Engines to an adequate water supply, thereby delaying firefighting efforts.
Don’t assume someone else will do it and help us to help you!

• If you have a FIRE or EMERGENCY call the Wantagh FD at 785-0125 or 911.
• If you experience a power outage call PSE&G LI at 1-800-490-0075
or text “OUT” to 773454 (PSEGLI).
• Monitor local news stations on the radio or TV to get the latest weather forecasts or go to www.weather.gov to get the latest updates from the National Weather Service.
Kevin Regan, PIO

02/18/2026

Official Wantagh Chamber 6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade honoring the Wantagh Fire Department shirts are now available!! Only until March 1st so order now!! 👇👇

https://lifestylessports.chipply.com/WantaghChamberStPatricksDay/

Thank you Lifestyles Sports for the awesome online store!!

02/16/2026

Just before 9:00 pm on Saturday February 14, 2026 the Wantagh Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1662 Cornelius Avenue in Wantagh. Third Assistant Chief Rich Mongiello was first on scene and transmitted a working fire when he saw the entire side of the house engulfed in flames. He also requested PSEGLI due to electric wires on the ground and arcing. First Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann and Chief of Department Bill Stevens arrived moments later and Chief Stevens assumed command.
​Engine 1, led by Captain Andrew Carpentier was first on scene and members went to work stretching a hose line and attacking the fire which traveled up the outside wall and was extending to the 2nd floor. Ladder 2, led by Captain Alexis Avolio, arrived and commenced search and ventilation operations. Engines 2, 3 and Ladder 1 arrived shortly after and crews augmented the first arriving crews, with an additional hose line stretched by Engine 3’s crew, led by Captain George Conaty. All visible fire was knocked down in roughly 10 minutes of arrival and crews continued to open up walls and check for further extension.
​The Bellmore FD responded with a F.A.S.T. Truck for a firefighter emergency while the Seaford, North Bellmore and Bellmore Fire Departments were on standby at Wantagh Station 1 with an Engine, Ladder and Ambulance in the event of any other alarms. Additional Wantagh units on scene included Squad 1, Engine 7 and Rescues 1, 2 and 5 along with the EMS Captain.
​All units were back in service in just over an hour before the scene was turned over to the Nassau County Fire Marshal and Nassau County Police Arson Squad to investigate the cause. There were no injuries reported.
Photos by Anthony Krussmann, LNBN photography and
Kevin Madigan, K2M Photography
Kevin Regan, PIO

02/11/2026

This past weekend was a very busy one for the men and women of the Wantagh Fire Department. While we all were dealing with the extreme cold temperatures, volunteers braved the cold and responded to nearly 25 calls for assistance on Saturday and Sunday alone, including a working fire in Wantagh and mutual aid for a working fire in Amityville and 2 additional working fires in North Bellmore.
​At approximately 2:45 pm on Saturday members responded to a house fire at 3998 Alken Avenue in Seaford. Chief of Department William Stevens was first to arrive and reported a possible fire in the wall in the rear of the house. With the extent of travel through the walls unknown Chief Stevens transmitted a “signal 10,” working fire. Engine 2, led by Captain Mike Fratello was first to arrive and stretched a hose line to attack the fire. Ladder 1, led by Captain Andrew Carpentier assisted in locating the fire and opening the walls before ventilating the home. Due to aggressive operations all visible fire was knocked down in less than 15 minutes while overhaul continued for another 30-40 minutes
Additional Wantagh units at the scene included Engines 1, 3 and 7. Rescues 1, 2, 3 and 4, Squad 1, Rehab Unit and the Safety Officer and Medic. Mutual Aid was provided by the Bethpage and Levittown Fire Departments and the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management responded as well as the Mass Casualty Response Vehicle due to the extreme cold.
There were no injuries reported and a routine investigation was being conducted by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and Nassau County Police Department.
Photos by John Scalesi
Kevin Regan, PIO

02/03/2026

The recent arctic cold has caused area streams, ponds, lakes and even canals to freeze. As temperatures moderate many of these areas will become unsafe so we’d like to share some ice safety tips.
• Never assume that ice is safe enough to walk or play on.
• Keep children and dogs from going onto the ice.
• PLAY IT SAFE AND STAY OFF!
If you fall through the ice there are things you can do to help your chances of survival:
• Try not to panic & gently tread water while calling for help. Hypothermia will set in quickly and moving slowly will help preserve energy.​
• If you can, put your arms on the most solid area of ice – likely the direction from which you came.
• Kick and pull – “Frog kick” and get your body horizontal if possible and roll onto the most solid section of ice you can find, try to spread your weight out evenly rather than concentrating in one area.
If you see someone fall through the ice:
• CALL FOR HELP. DO NOT go out yourself. If they fell through, you would likely fall through as well. Instead, throw a rope, reach out with a long branch, pole, etc. and have the person hold on and possibly pull them to safety.
The Wantagh FD is prepared to respond to ice or water emergencies with personnel specially trained and equipment to handle these types of emergencies.
Kevin Regan, PIO

02/01/2026

02/01/2026

The members of the Wantagh Fire Department join with our friends from the Nassau County Police Department in mourning the tragic and senseless death of Police Officer Patricia Espinosa who was killed by an alleged drunk driver on her way to work this morning.
We offer our prayers and support to her family and Brother and Sister Officers.
May she Rest in Peace.

01/30/2026

01/29/2026

On Wednesday January 28, 2026 at 4:28 pm the Wantagh Fire Department received numerous calls reporting a house fire at 49 Downhill Lane in Wantagh. Chief of Department Bill Stevens was already responding to another of 2 additional alarms that were in progress when he redirected to the house fire and transmitted a “signal 10,” working fire at the location with fire visible on the front of the house.
Immediate searches were conducted by Second Assistant Chief Chris Dolley, Third Assistant Chief Rich Mongiello and members from Ladder 1 based on initial reports by a resident of the home that an occupant was unaccounted for and thought to be inside the home. Thankfully, this proved to be incorrect as that occupant was eventually found safe and not at home.
Engine 2, led by Captain Mike Fratello, was first to arrive and secured a water supply from a nearby hydrant. Crew members stretched a hose line and attacked the fire and Engine 3, led by Captain George Conaty stretched an additional hose line. Ladder 1, led by Andrew Nordquist, arrived and set up in front of the house and commenced search, ventilation and overhaul operations. They were augmented by Ladder 621 from the Levittown FD, who was originally called as a F.A.S.T. Truck for a firefighter emergency. Bethpage Ladder 3 was then brought in as the F.A.S.T. Truck.
All visible fire was knocked down in about 20 minutes and members conducted overhaul, checking for hot spots and extension of fire. There were no injuries reported despite treacherous conditions from the recent heavy snow, extremely cold temperatures and icy walkways and roadways created by the water used to extinguish the fire.
Additional Wantagh units on scene included Engines 1 and 7, Squad 1 and Rescues 1, 3 and 5 as well as the Safety Officer. Bethpage, North Bellmore and Massapequa provided an Engine, Ladder Truck and Ambulance on standby at Wantagh Station 2., although they were not there for long as 3 additional alarms came in.
Investigators from the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and Nassau County Police Arson Squad were on scene conducting a routine investigation to determine the cause and origin of the fire. All units were released from the scene in approximately 75 minutes.
Photos by John Scalesi, Jr.
Kevin Regan, PIO

01/28/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a “Cold Weather Advisory” with extreme cold temperatures making it extremely dangerous for outside activities. We would like to offer the following tips and suggestions to help you deal with the weather:
• Avoid outside travel unless absolutely necessary. Limit yourself to short trips when possible.
• Dress in layers of loose-fitting lightweight clothing which offers good insulation value. Wool, fleece and moisture-wicking clothing are best.
• Cover as much exposed skin as possible to prevent frostbite
• Wear a hat/hood and mittens or gloves to preserve heat. As much as 40% of body heat is lost due to an uncovered head.
• Wear a scarf/face covering to protect your lungs from the extreme cold.
• Change clothing if it becomes wet.

Watch for signs of frostbite: numbness, red/white or blueish-white or graying skin that looks “hard” or
“waxy,” and muscle stiffness or clumsiness. Signs can occur in as little as 30 minutes if
precautions are not taken.
If frostbite occurs:
• Get inside.
• Do NOT rub affected area(s).
• Dry affected body parts and submerse in warm (not hot) water.
• Consult professional medical attention.

Watch for signs of Hypothermia: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and uncontrollable shivering.
• If Hypothermia occurs:
• Get to a warm/dry environment.
• Remove any wet clothing.
• Wrap victim in warm, dry blankets.
• Monitor breathing. If labored, call 911 or get to a hospital.
• If victim is conscious, have them drink warm liquids.
• If in doubt, seek professional medical attention.

Stay hydrated by drinking warm liquids. Avoid beverages containing alcohol and caffeine.
Don’t forget your pets. Make sure dogs and cats are moved inside.

Home Safety:
• Make sure your primary heating system is in good condition and properly maintained.
• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. Many fires in the home occur in winter months due to the use of stoves/ovens to supplement heat.
• Use extreme caution when using electric heaters. Electric cords should be plugged directly into a grounded outlet.
• Make sure outside water faucets are shut off to prevent frozen pipes.
• If you have water pipes that travel through exterior walls to your kitchen/bathroom, consider leaving cabinets open or raising the heat a bit in these areas to prevent freeze-ups.
• Never let a car idle in a garage. Deadly carbon monoxide can build up and possibly enter the home.

Kevin Regan, PIO

01/25/2026

Sincere condolences to the Parke family and our friends from the Levittown Fire Department on the tragic and untimely passing of Firefighter Lindsey Parke.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most difficult time.