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Press Releases
NMFD HOSTS 6th BATTALION PARADE AND DRILL HONORING 75 YEARS OF SERVICE
NMFD WINS BEST APPEARING DEPARTMENT AND WINS FOUR TROPHIES IN THE DRILL
The North Massapequa Fire Department hosted the Annual 6th Battalion Parade and Drill on Saturday, September 19, 2009 and took home several prestigious awards, including “Best Overall Appearing Department in the Parade,” According to Chief of Department Sean K. Abrams.
“I’m so proud of the effort put forth by the entire membership to make this special occasion a complete success,” Chief Abrams said. “This event celebrated 75 years of service to local residents by the members of the North Massapequa Fire Department. Throughout its distinguished history, our firefighters have proudly protected the community during times of emergency.”
That pride was evident during the day, as the department received honors at both the drill and the parade. The parade also provided the platform for the department to honor its Ex-Chiefs as Parade Marshals and two members with more than 50 years of service to the North Massapequa Fire Department as Grand Marshals, Ex-Chief George Weber of Ladder Company #1 and Jackson Pokress of Friendship Company #3. “Both of these men are World War II Veterans and deserve our highest respect for their service to their Country and Community,” Chief Abrams said. “They represent the finest traditions of volunteerism and personal sacrifice.”
Chief Abrams also said he was impressed with the tremendous showing of support from the residents. “I was extremely proud to march before the residents of North Massapequa, who came out in force to show their support of our volunteer firefighters,” Chief Abrams said. “Later, many of them attended our gala festival and joined us for a terrific evening of family entertainment and fun.”
The day’s events started with an old-fashioned drill team tournament held at the Four Town’s Training Center, located on Merrick Road in Merrick. Teams at the drill represented Sixth Battalion fire departments from Bellmore, East Meadow, Levittown, Massapequa, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Massapequa, Seaford and Wantagh.
“The drill included events that tested firefighters’ skills in numerous hose and ladder events,” Chief Abrams said. “The North Massapequa Department’s “Gremlins” drill team earned trophies in several demanding events including running hose replacement, efficiency replacement, 2-into-1 and buckets. The team also took an overall trophy, recognizing it as one of the top teams in competition.”
The North Massapequa Fire Department, which was named Nassau County’s Class “B” Parade Champions this past July and took 3rd place honors in statewide competition in August, took top honors in the Sixth Battalion Parade. Awards taken by the North Massapequa Fire Department included Best Appearing Fire Department Class A, 150 Members and Under, Most Firefighters in the Line of March by Percentage, 2nd Place Best Appearing Color Guard and Best Appearing Overall Department. The fire department also marched to the Best Appearing Musical Unit, the West Islip Fire Department “Brewers” Band.
Chief Abrams said parade departments are judged in many categories including uniformity, symmetry and spacing. “Everyone must look good in the line of march,” Chief Abrams said. “From the color guard to the chauffeurs of the apparatus, each member has to look sharp. With the first rate departments that compete in this event, it is quite an honor to be named best overall for the fifth straight year. It’s a tribute to the members, who handle themselves professionally and take representing the department and this community very seriously. The 2009 Sixth Battalion Parade and Drill will forever stand as tribute to every volunteer firefighter who has represented this department since 1934. It also represents our intent to proudly build on those traditions in the decades ahead.”
The North Massapequa Fire Department celebrated its 75th Anniversary by hosting the Sixth Battalion Parade and Drill. The parade concluded at the Department’s substation on Hicksville Road, home of Friendship Engine Company #3.
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