At approximately 3:30pm on Tuesday, September 11th 2007, the Oyster Bay Fire Department received a request from the Syosset Fire Department to respond with TOWER LADDER 554 to a house fire at 331 Southwood Circle. The crew was originally dispatched as a FAST team (firefighter assistance search team) but were then re-directed to relieve the Syosset Ladder Company crew with fire suppression and overhauling duties on the fire floor.
The first Oyster Bay FD Chief to arrive to the scene was 1st Assistant Chief Vincent Bellissimo; he reported to the Syosset command post for orders. After the arrival of the Oyster Bay Chief of Department Frank Mantegari, and the crew of Tower Ladder 554, who were under the direction of 2nd Assistant Chief Charles Gladd, Oyster Bay firefighters assisted in extinguishing many pockets of fire, and overhauling duties. The fire was brought under control at approximately 5:30pm.
