Lt. Trey Wehrum encapsulated in Haz Mat Decon Suit Garden City’s bravest volunteers continually train throughout the year to enhance their skills. During the 3 weeks in September, Garden City’s Volunteer Firefighters received comprehensive training and certification in mass Hazardous Materials Decontamination at the Nassau County Fire Service Training Academy in Bethpage. The training not only focused on general hazmat decontamination but also added emphasis in the areas of weapons of mass destructions such as biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. In addition, our volunteer firefighters trained with the Haz Mat Technicians associated with the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office. The Decon training was performed in conjunction with the delivery of a New York State purchased Hazardous Materials Decontamination Trailer that will be stationed in Garden City for use in the village as well as for use by area fire departments. The trailers contain Hazardous Materials Decontamination suits, masks, tools, decon tents, and related equipment. Nine of these trailers will be stationed strategically throughout Nassau County. The trailers where purchased by the State of New York and are being managed and distributed by the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management through the nine local Emergency Operations Centers. Garden City’s Fire Chief Thomas Foley and Ex-Chief Donald Jenkins, who is the chairman of the Nassau County First Battalion’s Emergency Operations Center, assisted in the procurement of the trailer as well as in setting up the training.

Ex-Chief Andrew McCaffrey assists volunteer firefighter donning Haz Mat suit