Wantagh Fire Department

04/15/2026

04/15/2026

Have you ever thought about what it’s like to be a firefighter or fire medic?
Come on down and find out!
The Wantagh Fire Department is opening its doors for RecruitNY, a statewide initiative led by Firefighters Association of the State of New York to help local departments connect with future volunteers.
Come on down and talk to your neighbors who are volunteers and get your questions answered about training, commitment and benefits available for members. You’ll have a chance to hear real stories and see firefighting equipment and apparatus up close and learn how you can join. Experience is not necessary, just a desire to be a part of an organization that serves the community.​

When: April 19
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
All Wantagh Fire Stations
Learn more & get involved: https://www.wantaghfd.com/join_us.php
Don’t miss out — your community needs you!

04/14/2026

April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Established in 1981, it is celebrated annually to honor those professionals who serve as the first point of contact, often in times of crisis and chaos, and work to gather accurate information and coordinate the emergency responders that respond. The work of an Emergency Services Dispatcher is often very stressful and can often go unnoticed.
​The Wantagh Fire Department is fortunate to have four very dedicated and capable professionals to handle the task of receiving calls from those in need and dispatching the personnel and equipment to handle all emergencies on a 24/7/365 basis.
We salute and thank all Dispatchers, especially Ed, Lauren, Marc and Alexis, as well those dedicated professionals that served before you.
Kevin Regan, PIO

04/14/2026

At approximately 3:45 pm on Monday April 13, 2026 the Wantagh Fire Department responded to a car fire on Ocean Parkway, east of the Tower. First Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann was first to arrive, reporting a fully involved car fire which was extending to the brush nearby. Chief of Department William Stevens assumed command. He was joined by Third Assistant Chief Rich Mongiello and the Safety Officer. Engines 1, 3, 5, and 8 responded and crews quickly extinguished the blaze.
​There were no injuries reported and all operations were complete in approximately 1 hour.
Photos by Chief Krussmann
Kevin Regan, PIO

04/13/2026

At approximately 5:15 am on Friday April 10, 2026 the Wantagh Fire Department was alerted for a house fire at 2590 Peconic Avenue in Seaford Harbor. In addition to the initial call from neighbors across from the residence making the initial call reporting the fire, members responding to Station 3 could see that the house was fully involved prompting Third Assistant Chief Rich Mongiello to transmit a “signal 10,” working fire, while he was responding. First Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann arrived and assumed command, followed by Second Assistant Chief Chris Dolley and Third Assistant Chief Rich Mongiello.
Engine 3, led by Captain George Conaty arrived and secured a water supply at a nearby hydrant and stretched a hose line and attacked some of the fire on the exterior to protect the houses nearby before working their way to enter the home. Due to the advanced stage of the fire and concerns about structural integrity, and confirmation that the occupants of the home got out safely, the decision was made to transition to a defensive attack from the exterior. Ladder 1, led by Ex-Captain Steve Burke arrived shortly later and set up in front of the house. They got a water supply from Engine 7, led by Captain Patrick Maher, enabling them to attack the fire using a master stream from the bucket. Ladder 2, led by Captain Alexis Avolio arrived and set up additional ladders around the home. 3 additional hose lines were stretched to protect nearby homes and assist extinguishing the fire by crews from Engine 2 and other apparatus that responded. Once the heavy volume of fire was knocked down members performed overhaul operations and extinguished hot spots as they encountered them.
Additional Wantagh units that responded included Rescues 1, 2, 3 and 5 as well as the EMS Captain who established the Medical Command Post. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Mutual Aid response to the scene included a Ladder Company from the Massapequa (F.A.S.T.) , Merrick and North Bellmore Fire Departments, and an Engine from Bellmore while East Meadow, Levittown and Massapequa were on standby at Headquarters with an Engine, Ladder and Ambulance.
The Nassau County Fire Marshal and Nassau County Police Arson/Bomb Squad were on scene to conduct an investigation to determine the cause and origin of the blaze, which did not appear suspicious. All operations were complete in approximately 3 hours.

Photos by Kevin Madigan, K2M Photography and Paul Mazza, Zone2Photo
Kevin Regan, PIO

04/04/2026

The Wantagh Fire Department wishes a Happy Easter to all our friends and neighbors.

03/23/2026

On Saturday March 21, 2026 the Wantagh Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 2873 Ocean Avenue in Seaford. Safety Officer Ex-Chief Joe Gross III was first to arrive and reported a smoke condition in the garage. First Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann arrived moments later and assumed command and was later relieved by Chief of Department William Stevens.
Engine 3 arrived and secured a water supply at a nearby hydrant and stretched a hose line. They were followed by Ladder 1. Crews were able to locate and isolate and contain the fire at the electrical panel in the garage. Fortunately, the fire did not spread and the situation was quickly declared under control. All units were secure approximately 40 minutes later while units awaited the arrival of PSEG LI.
Additional responding units included Engines 1, 4 and 7, Ladder 2, Rescues 1, 2, 3 and 5, and the Fire Police Unit.
Photos by Brad Field
Kevin Regan, PIO

03/20/2026

On Saturday March 7, 2026 the Wantagh Fire Department held their 126th Annual Installation Dinner.
After the Line Officers were sworn in, William L. Stevens was sworn in as Chief of Department. He will be assisted by First Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann, Second Assistant Chief Christopher Dolley and Third Assistant Chief Richard Mongiello.
Chief Stevens joined the Department in September of 1989 and was assigned to Rescue 2 before transferring to Engine 4 a year later. He served as Lieutenant of Engine 4 from 5/1/1997 through 4/30/1999 and Captain from 5/1/1999 through 4/30/2001.
During his remarks to the Department, Chief Stevens thanked the members for their hard work and dedication to the community as they responded to 2700 calls for service last year. This is in addition to the countless hours spent training, standing by at special events and other details as well as other community education events. He also thanked the families of our members for their support. Chief Stevens then thanked his daughters Hannah & Lauren for their support during his time in the Chief’s office.
34 members of the Department were recognized for their service ranging from 5 years to 65 years. Ex-Chief Bruce Sparke was honored for 50 years of dedicated service to the Department. Ex-Chief Sparke remains a very active class “A” firefighter and continues to share his knowledge and experience with the members of the Department by serving on many Committees and by training new and current members.
Ex-Chief Leonard Mathewson was also recognized for his 8 years of service in the Chief’s Office, which he completed this past December.
Photos by Joe Virgilio
Kevin Regan, PIO

03/19/2026

On Sunday March 15th the Wantagh Fire Department proudly marched down Wantagh Avenue in the 6th Annual Wantagh Chamber of Commerce St Patrick’s Day Parade as the Chamber’s Grand Marshal for 2026. The weather was cold but the crowds greeted everyone warmly with great enthusiasm!
Along with appearing in the parade, we had ambulances from the Wantagh FD, Bellmore-Merrick EMS and Wantagh-Levittown Ambulance Corp. on standby along the parade route with additional ambulances from the NCPD available to respond to any emergencies along the parade route and block party area. We also had 1 EMS ATV and 1 Fire ATV staffed in order to safely navigate through the crowd if needed. Our EMS Captain was at the Field Communications Unit to coordinate response between all agencies involved. In addition, members of the Department’s Command Staff and Incident Management Team (IMAT) were available for activation throughout the event if needed.
During the parade, we had an Engine from Baldwin, Ladder Truck from Westbury and an Ambulance from Point Lookout-Lido on stand-by at Station 2 for alarms within the Wantagh Fire District so that our members could participate in the parade and we are thankful for their support.
There was a total of 2 alarms during the event, including 2 medical emergencies, 1 along the parade route and one not related to the parade.
We are grateful to the Chamber of Commerce for honoring the Department as Grand Marshal this year and thankful for the support we receive from our wonderful community!
Photo by Anthony Krussmann and video by Chris Lauterbach
Kevin Regan, PIO

https://youtu.be/hWQqwsa8D50

03/10/2026

On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Wantagh Fire Department responded to a call for a leaking propane tank at 9 Raspberry Lane in Levittown. Second Assistant Chief Dolley was in command as members found a full 20-pound propane tank leaking. Members were setting up to conduct a burn-off operation to render the tank safe, while Haz Mat Technicians, Ex-Captains Tom Brandon and John Licata, stopped the leak. Engines 1, 2, and 7, led by Captains Alexis Avolio, Mike Fratello, and Patrick Maher, were on scene for nearly 1 hour, and no injuries were reported. Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office HazMat Team also responded.

Photos by John Richter & Joe Borst
Kevin Regan, PIO

03/07/2026

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday March 8, 2026. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead 1 hour before going to bed. Please also remember to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and change the batteries, if applicable.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), all smoke detectors (battery and hard-wired) should be replaced 10 years after their manufacture date; regardless of brand. Carbon Monoxide Detectors should be replaced every 5-7 years. Combination Detectors (Smoke/Carbon Monoxide) should be replaced every 5-10 years. Sensors in these units can wear out over time and accumulated dust and grime can make them less effective.

Properly maintaining Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors by keeping them clean and dust free and up-to-date will help keep you and your family safe!

Kevin Regan, PIO