07' News Archives

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=75 BGCOLOR="#330000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="198c8c83.jpg"> <div> Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department</div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=250 BGCOLOR="#BBBBBB" TEXT="#080000" background="0befa043.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department">Home</A></div> <div> <B>07' News Archives</B></div> <div> <A HREF="06_news_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="06 News Archives">06' News Archives</A></div> <div> <A HREF="05_news_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="05 News Archives">05' News Archives</A></div> <div> <A HREF="04_news_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="04 News Archives">04' News Archives</A></div> <div> <A HREF="03_news_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="03 News Archives">03' News Archives</A></div> <div> <A HREF="02_news_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="02 News Archives">02' News Archives</A></div> <div> <A HREF="01_news_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="01 News Archives">01' News Archives</A></div> <div> <A HREF="pre_01_news_archives.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="pre01 News Archives">pre-01' News Archives</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>           </div> </td> <td valign="top" height=405 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>07' News Archives</I></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="2007_fire_report"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>2007 Fire Report</B></div> <div> Report submitted by Riverhead Fire Department Chief Robert Zaweski</div> <bR> <div> The Riverhead Fire Department responded to 968 Alarms during the year 2007.  There was an increase of 71 calls from 2006.  The Riverhead Fire Department traveled a total of 15,904 miles to these alarms.  The breakdown of types of alarms is as follows:</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="628" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#999980" BORDERCOLORDARK="#999980" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 22</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> BRUSH FIRE</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> DUMPSTER FIRE</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 93</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> STRUCTURE FIRE</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 3</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> ELEVATOR RESCUE</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 44</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> VEHICLE FIRES</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 1</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> SEARCH</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 25</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> HEAVY RESCUE CALL</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 10</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> FUEL SPILL</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 40</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> LANDING ZONE</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 8</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> GAS LEAK (LP)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 14</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> MUTUAL AID</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> AMBULANCE ASSIST</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> MULCH/COMPOST/DEBRIS</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> TRANSFORMER</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 498</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> AUTOMATIC ALARMS</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 9</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> WIRES</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 37</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> CHIEFS INVESTIGATIONS</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> POLE FIRE</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 70</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> CARBON MONOXIDE</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 2</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> WASH DOWN</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 27</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> GAS ODOR</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 16</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> SMOKE</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> CHIMNEY FIRE</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><div> 4</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> UNKNOWN</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="36"><div> 15</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><div> -</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><div> MISCELLANEOUS</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="56"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="56" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="36"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="36" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="16"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="16" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="216"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="216" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="osborn_avenue_house_fire"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>Osborn Avenue House Fire</B></div> <div> 01-03-2008     <A HREF="http://www.timesreview.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timesreview.com/">News Review</A></div> <bR> <div> It took 50 Riverhead firefighters an hour and a half to extinguish a house fire on Osborn Avenue December 26th.  They managed to prevent the fire from engulfing neighboring homes, according to Riverhead Fire Department.</div> <bR> <div> The family was inside the residence when the blaze started.  Firefighters responded at 2:32 p.m., containing the fire and eventually putting it out.  There were no injuries or casualties in the fire.  There was extensive damage to the home, however, a fire department spokesman said.</div> <bR> <div> <I> <A NAME="barn_blaze_in_aquebogue"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></I></div> <div> <B>Barn Blaze in Aquebogue</B></div> <div> 12-06-2007     <A HREF="http://www.timesreview.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timesreview.com/">News Review</A></div> <bR> <div> About 100 volunteer firefighters from Riverhead, Flanders, Jamesport and Wading River fought a blaze in a barn Sunday afternoon on Meeting House Creek Road, Aquebogue.  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="7635ec00.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="448" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="7675ec00.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="448" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> No one was hurt, but several boats and cars were destroyed, according to Riverhead Fire Chief Robert Zaweski.  He said the first units arrived at about 1:00 pm, just minutes after the fire was called in.  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="761c1cd0.jpg" border=0 width="705" height="461" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> It took nearly four hours to (totally) extinguish.</div> <div> Above photo <A HREF="http://www.timesreview.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timesreview.com/">© 2007 Times-Review Newspapers</A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="771bc0d0.jpg" border=0 width="700" height="525" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> photo courtesy Ex-Capt. Dave Bogash</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="772bc0d0.jpg" border=0 width="700" height="525" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> photo courtesy Ex-Capt. Dave Bogash</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="773bc0d0.jpg" border=0 width="700" height="525" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> photo courtesy Ex-Capt. Dave Bogash</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="774bc0d0.jpg" border=0 width="700" height="525" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> photo courtesy Ex-Capt. Dave Bogash</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="775bc0d0.jpg" border=0 width="700" height="525" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> photo courtesy Ex-Capt. Dave Bogash</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="trailer_blaze_in_northville"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>Trailer Blaze in Northville</B></div> <div> By Tim Gannon    05-16-2007     <A HREF="http://www.timesreview.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timesreview.com/">News Review</A></div> <bR> <div> A house trailer on a farm was badly damaged in a fire Monday morning fire, according to Riverhead Fire Department, and one firefighter required treatment for heat exhaustion after battling the blaze.</div> <bR> <div> The fire took place at about 7 a.m. Monday on Sound Avenue in Northville, according to Riverhead Fire Chief Robert Zaweski, who said there was heavy damage to the trailer but very light damage to an adjacent barn.</div> <bR> <div> "Riverhead firefighters did an excellent job to prevent the fire from extending to the adjacent barn," he said.</div> <bR> <div> The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Riverhead Town fire marshal's office.</div> <bR> <div> Chief Zaweski said one firefighter suffered minor heat exhaustion and was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance. He was treated and released, the chief said. No other injuries were reported.</div> <bR> <div> About 70 firefighters responded to the blaze, and were assisted by the Jamesport Fire Department, which provided a pumper, the Flanders Fire Department, which was on standby at the Riverhead firehouse, and Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance, according to Chief Zaweski.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="yes_to_new_firehouse"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>Yes to New Firehouse</B></div> <div> District voters approve $14.7 million bond issue, 393 to 177</div> <div> By Tim Gannon     03-21-2007     <A HREF="http://www.timesreview.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timesreview.com/">News Review</A></div> <bR> <div> Voters in the Riverhead Fire District approved a $14,740,000 bond issue Tuesday night by a vote of 393 to 177.</div> <bR> <div> The vote authorizes both the purchase of land on Roanoke Avenue from St. John the Evangelist Church and the construction of a new 43,000-square-foot fire headquarters on that land.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0f11f0e0.png" border=0 width="543" height="270" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> An architechtural drawing of the proposed fire station on Roanoke Avenue will be three stories and have 12 bays</div> <bR> <div> "We're very happy with the outcome and we'd like to thank the voters for coming out tonight and giving us the go-ahead to construct," said Bill Kelly, the chairman of the Riverhead Fire Commissioners.</div> <bR> <div> Prior to the vote, he had said firefighters were "cautiously optimistic."</div> <bR> <div> "You always have doubt because you don't know what the outcome will be," he said after the vote.</div> <bR> <div> The new building will be much larger than the existing Second Street fire headquarters, which is 16,800 square feet and which the district now plans to sell. The district also plans to sell land on Ostrander Avenue that it was given by Riverhead Building Supply but was unable to find a use for.</div> <bR> <div> Fire officials said the current building, which was built in the 1930s, is too small for the newer trucks, which continue to get larger due to state and federal requirements. Only a handful of people attended a public meeting on the bond issue last Wednesday, during which one man said he felt the plan was "very elaborate," and another raised questions about the project's impact on Roanoke Avenue Elementary School, which is located across the street.</div> <bR> <div> The property the district now plans to buy includes the old St. John's auditorium building. Church officials said that building has been rarely used since the church closed its school in 2003. The district had been in contract with the church to buy the property, Mr. Kelly said.</div> <bR> <div> In addition, the district also had bid the project first, and used the low bids it had received in coming up with the $14,740,000 price, he said. Normally, he said, projects go out to bid after the bond vote.</div> <bR> <div> "We now have to wait a 30-day period now called the 'estopple period,' and then award the bids and commence construction as soon as they can get mobilized," Mr. Kelly said. "The building should be constructed in 12 months, with a two-month period after that for punch-list items."</div> <bR> <div> The estopple period, he said, is a 30-day period where residents can file a lawsuit challenging whether the process leading up to the vote was done legally.</div> <bR> <div> The effect of the bonds is projected to result in an average tax rate increase of $2.11 per $1,000 of assessed value in Riverhead Town over the 20-year life of the bond, according to the district. However, the bonds will start higher in the initial years, when the interest is being paid off, and then get lower in subsequent years. The tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value in Riverhead Town for year one, which is 2008, is $3.07, according to the district.</div> <bR> <div> Thus, over the life of the bond, a home assessed at $40,000 in Riverhead Town would see an average increase of $84.40, but in the first year, the increase would be $122.80.</div> <bR> <div> Fire department officials say the average increase is about a 40 percent increase. However, they say the 5 percent interest rate they used in computing their estimates is probably higher than what the district will actually get.</div> <bR> <div> In addition, the district also extends into parts of Southampton and Brookhaven towns, which have different tax rate impact estimates, since they assess property at a different percentage of real market value than Riverhead.</div> <bR> <div> Asked what he thought of the turnout, Mr. Kelly said, "This is the first bond in 35 years here. We haven't experienced it too often, so I can't say if the turnout was high or low or just right."</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="75_years_of_service"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>75-years of Service</B></div> <div> Ladies Auxiliary celebrates proud birthday</div> <div> By Rachel Scheider     02-28-2007     <A HREF="http://www.timesreview.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timesreview.com/">News Review</A></div> <bR> <div> The Riverhead Ladies Auxiliary kicked off its 75th anniversary celebration on Sunday, saluting its members and their beloved organization with a venerable annual tradition: its popular old-fashioned pancake breakfast.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0fe0d610.png" border=0 width="525" height="353" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> The Riverhead Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary kicked off its 75th anniversary with the annual pancake</div> <div> breakfast Sunday morning at the Second Street fire station in Riverhead.  photo by John Stefans</div> <bR> <div> Today, the auxiliary's 30 members, all related to members of the Riverhead Fire Department, stand ready to assist the department when and as needed. They provide food and support for firefighters whenever they are called to duty, day or night. They also provide service to the community at large, awarding two scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors and adopting a needy family at Christmas.</div> <bR> <div> But one of the most significant things the women of the auxiliary do is look out for one another.</div> <div> Louise Leja, a member for 51 years, says being in the auxiliary is like having a second family. "You're with them in the good times and bad," she said. A good time, Ms. Leja recalled, was the baby shower the ladies threw for her when she became a grandmother at age 69.</div> <bR> <div> The friendship and support of auxiliary members help others weather the bad times. "When my granddaughter passed away four years ago, the ladies came with food, love and help. They're very supportive," said 48-year member Barbara Reichel.</div> <bR> <div> "When one of our members dies, we go to the funeral home as a unit to say our final goodbyes," said Kathy Berezny, the group's chaplain. "When I first became a member I didn't know the ladies that passed. Of course, it's much harder for me now."</div> <bR> <div> The women send get-well cards and flowers to members who fall ill, and stay in touch with honorary members — longtime members who have retired and moved away. Pat Bilski, a member since 1962, now resides in South Carolina. Ella Brooks, who joined in 1937, lives in Florida. Other Florida honorees include Tillie Keller (1943) and Mary Punda (1959). Caroline Bugdin, who remains in Riverhead, represents the honorary membership locally.</div> <bR> <div> Stella Tradeski, age 90, has been an active member for 58 years. Although her husband, John, a former Riverhead fireman, has died, their son, also named John, carries on the tradition as a firefighter with the Riverhead department. Ms. Tradeski, like other older members, is not ready to become an honoree and stays active.</div> <bR> <div> "I like the companionship of the ladies," she said.</div> <bR> <div> Companionship may have motivated the group's founders in 1932, when 54 women joined the new organization. The auxiliary elected its first slate of officers that year: Mrs. Harold Downs, president; Mrs. Harry Penny, vice president; Mrs. Rudolph Hajek, secretary; and Mrs. William Hubbard, treasurer.</div> <bR> <div> By 1939, the group's ranks had doubled. But membership has declined in recent times, a trend members attribute to increasing demands on women today, who must juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities, leaving less time for membership in groups like the auxiliary.</div> <bR> <div> "Women have more obligations. That's the only reason why. When I joined there wasn't so much to do," Ms. Tradeski said.</div> <bR> <div> Although the auxiliary was initially funded with the help of the firefighters, as the years passed, the women began to raise funds on their own, holding card parties, cake sales, rummage sales, cocktail parties, breakfasts and dinners.</div> <bR> <div> "The community is so supportive of the firemen," said Ms. Berezny. She remembers going to a community deli or bakery, asking for dozens of doughnuts or sandwiches. She would tell the person at the counter it was for the fire department and they needed food. She would then promise to return with money after the fire was over. "Back then, the community was so small and people would trust you would come back," Ms. Berezny said.</div> <bR> <div> There have been some changes throughout the years, said Ms. Reichel. "We've lost members, but we haven't gained any either," she said.</div> <bR> <div> "We focus on the old-fashioned breakfast and hope to bring back our turkey dinner with all the trimmings," said Ms. Berezny. "It's a great success, but a lot of work."</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="raging_fire_in_northville"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>Raging Fire in Northville</B></div> <div> Homestead saved, but barn is gone</div> <div> By John Stefans     12-07-2006     <A HREF="http://www.timesreview.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.timesreview.com/">News Review</A></div> <bR> <div> RIVERHEAD - A fire that began late Wednesday afternoon destroyed a barn full of hay and straw at the Wells Farm on the corner of Phillips Lane and Sound Avenue in Riverhead.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1010d210.png" border=0 width="525" height="289" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> According to Patricia Wells, who owns the farm with her husband, Vernon, the fire started at around 5 p.m. when her son, Todd, turned on a light switch in the barn in preparation for loading straw onto an Agway truck. Sparks flew, immediately igniting the straw and hay. Ms. Wells said the sparks were probably caused by frayed wires, the result of mice or squirrels chewing through plastic coating.</div> <bR> <div> Members of the Riverhead Fire Department, under the direction of Chief Ed Carey, fought the blaze, successfully preventing the fire from reaching the Wellses’ home, which was untouched.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1020d380.png" border=0 width="525" height="312" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> “We were lucky. There was almost no wind that night to speak of. Had been blowing hard from the west, we would have had a problem,” Chief Carey said. The barn, however, was almost completely</div> <div> destroyed, with only one wall left standing. Ms. Wells said that approximately $10,000 worth of straw and hay were lost, along with potato bags and various pieces of farm equipment, including a new baler.</div> <bR> <div> The Riverhead department was assisted by volunteers from fire departments in Jamesport, Quogue and Flanders. About 80 volunteers in all took part on the operation, remaining on the site until 1 a.m. Members of the Riverhead department returned at 7 a.m. Thursday, when the fire began to smolder again. They had to return several more times when the smoldering started up again.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>