Wantagh Fire Department

12/16/2025

Once again members of Engine 7 teamed up with our friends from Project Thank A Cop on Thursday December 11, 2025 help Santa bring toys and spread some holiday cheer for the staff and hospitalized children at NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island in Mineola. The Nassau County Sheriff’s Department and Mineola Fire Department were also on hand as the Mineola HS Choir braved the frigid cold and performed by the Hospital’s Main Entrance as staff came out to enjoy the festive atmosphere and many watched from the windows above.

Kevin Regan, PIO

12/15/2025

As we have had our first snow of the season we are asking you to help us help you by considering to “Adopt a Hydrant.” If you have an Fire Hydrant near your home please remove snow and ice accumulations at least 3 feet around in every direction, including the street. In the event of a fire every second counts and keeping hydrants accessible is critically important.

12/14/2025

We wish all our friends and family Peace, Joy, Light and many Blessings as you celebrate Hanukkah

12/13/2025

For the second time on Friday December 12, 2025 the Wantagh Fire Department received numerous calls reporting a House Fire, prompting Dispatcher Ed Campis to alert all stations for 150 Duckpond Drive in Wantagh. As it turns out, there were sheds, some brush and a fence on fire in the rear yard. Fortunately, there was no damage to the home. Chief of Department Leonard Mathewson was in command and he was assisted by Second Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann.
​Engine 2, led by Captain Mike Fratello arrived quickly and while connecting to a nearby hydrant, members stretched a hose line to the rear yard and began to attack the fire. Ladder 2, led by Captain Stefano Mastrandrea arrived and assisted with overhaul. Engines 3, 7, Ladder 1 and Rescue 2 were also on scene along with the Safety Officer, EMS Captain and Medic Car as Bethpage Engine 9055 and Ladder 3 stood by at Wantagh Station 2.
​The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and Nassau County Police Arson Squad. There were no injuries reported and all operations were complete in just more than an hour.
Photos by Harry Loud

Additional photos by Paul Mazza

Kevin Regan, PIO

12/13/2025

At approximately 12:20 am on Friday December 12, 2025 the Wantagh Fire Department responded to a house fire at 7 Wafer Lane in Wantagh. Dispatcher Marc Besthoff received several calls and upgraded the alarm immediately to a General Alarm and alerted all stations. Upon his arrival, Third Assistant Chief Chris Dolley transmitted a working fire in an attached garage and confirmed that all occupants were out of the house. First Assistant Chief Bill Stevens arrived and assumed command as Chief Dolley was joined by Second Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann to coordinate interior attack on the fire.
​Engine 2, led by Ex-Captain and Third Assistant Chief-Elect Richard Mongiello, arrived on scene within minutes and secured a water supply from a nearby hydrant and stretched a hose line to quickly knock down the fire and contain it to the garage. Ladder 2, led by Captain Sean Kelly, arrived and crews conducted search and ventilation operations. They were later assisted by Ladder 1, led by Lieutenant JT McCarron. Additional hose lines were stretched by crews from Engine 1 and Engine 3. All visible fire was knocked down in about 20 minutes as members continued to check for hot spots and conduct overhaul.
​Additional Wantagh Units included Rescues 2 and 5, along with the Safety Officer, EMS Captain and Medic Car. Mutual Aid was provided by the Levittown, Bethpage and Massapequa Fire Departments both at the scene and on standby at Wantagh Station 2. ​One Firefighter sustained a minor injury and was evaluated at the scene and refused further medical attention.
​The Nassau County Police Arson Squad and Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office were on scene conducting a routine investigation into the cause of the fire which did not appear to be suspicious. All units were back in service in approximately 90 minutes.

Photos by Kevin Madigan, K2M Photography

Additional photos by Paul Mazza

Kevin Regan, PIO

12/10/2025

12/07/2025

On Thursday December 4, 2025 the Wantagh Fire Department held their annual elections for Chiefs and Line Officers.
First Assistant Chief William Stevens was elected to the position of Chief of Department. He will be assisted by First Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann, Second Assistant Chief Christopher Dolley and Third Assistant Chief Richard Mongiello.

Outgoing Chief of Department Leonard Mathewson thanked his Assistant Chiefs and the Department for their support over the past 8 years. He and his Assistant Chiefs then presented newly elected Chief Mongiello with his white helmet.

Kevin Regan, PIO

12/01/2025

Captain Patrick Maher, Lieutenant Alex Sternlieb from Engine 7, along with Fire Medic Mike Kushner, delivered a check and other items which were collected over the past few weeks to the Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior Organization, who will be delivering them to our Nation’s Wounded Warriors. If you’d like to donate you still can by sending it to: Nassau County Firefighters - Operation Wounded Warrior PO Box 295 Garden City, NY 11530

The members of Engine 7 wish to thank everyone that supported this worthy cause.

Kevin Regan, PIO

11/26/2025

On Monday November 24, 2025 the Chief’s Office and Training Committee recognized the members for successfully completing the next phase of their training by issuing them black helmets with an orange probationary front piece and a certificate of completion. This brings them another step closer to class “A” status and signifies that they are still learning, but have attained a minimum level of proficiency to perform more functions at a fire scene. Their training will continue to receive training both at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and through weekly training at the Wantagh Fire Department Training Facility and in their respective firehouses. Chief of Department Leonard Mathewson and his Assistant Chiefs were on hand to make the presentations and he also thanked the Training Committee for their hard work and dedication.
In addition to many weeks of training that they receive at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy, Probationary Members or “Probies” attend additional training conducted by the Wantagh Fire Department Training Committee. Here they are able to hone and demonstrate proficiency in many areas of their training including: EMS, basic fire behavior, proper use of hose lines and ladders, radio procedures, engine and truck company operations, use of thermal-imaging cameras, firefighting tools, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) use and search and rescue operations, personal safety systems (PSS), among other things. This training is conducted in both a classroom setting as well as “hands-on.” This training is conducted once or twice weekly for a minimum of 45 hours of training.
We are always looking for new members for to join our ranks as Firefighter, Fire Medic or our Explorer program. Go to www.wantaghfd.com to find out more and click on the ‘join us’ tab and someone from our Membership Committee will get in touch with you.
Photos by Anthony McNamara & Kevin Regan
Kevin Regan, PIO

11/25/2025

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third, with both having nearly twice the daily average.
• Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
• Cooking causes half (52%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (36%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (16%).
• On Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,446 home cooking fires were reported to U.S fire departments in 2023, reflecting 388 percent of the daily average.
• Structure fires occurring on Thanksgiving Day – 80% are due to cooking. And those cooking fires account for 40% of the civilian injuries sustained in structure fires that occurred on Thanksgiving.
These are annual estimates for the period 2019 – 2023 (no civilian deaths had occurred in cooking fires on Thanksgiving for these years) Source: NFPA

Turkey Fryers Are Dangerous – Use extreme caution and follow all safety guidelines.
• Turkey fryers can easily tip over spilling hot oil across a large area. Use your turkey fryer outdoors on a sturdy surface away from things that can burn.
• NEVER use a turkey fryer indoors, on a deck or close to your fence or house.
• Keep children and pets far away when in use.
• An overfilled cooking pot will cause oil to spill over when the turkey is places inside. Determine the correct amount of oil needed by first placing the turkey in the pot with water.
• A partially frozen turkey will cause hot oil to splatter. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before you fry it.
• Turkey fryers can easily overheat and start a fire. Check the temperature often with a cooking thermometer so the oil won't overheat.
• The pot, lid and handles of a turkey fryer can get dangerously hot and cause burn injuries. Use long cooking gloves that protect hands and arms when you handle these items.
• Consider using an electric or infrared turkey fryer where there is no open flame.

Kevin Regan, PIO

11/19/2025

At approximately 8:40 am on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Dispatcher Ed Campis received several calls reporting heavy smoke from the rear of the house at 2316 Beech Street in Wantagh. Second Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann arrived moments later, assumed command, and transmitted a “Signal 10,” working fire, and reported that there were no occupants in the house. Third Assistant Chief Chris Dolley arrived shortly after to lead the interior attack.

Engine 1 arrived, secured a water supply at a nearby hydrant, and stretched a hose line to attack the fire at the rear of the house. They were led by Lieutenant JT McCarron. Engine 5, led by firefighter Joe Giardina, then arrived and stretched a second hose line inside. Ladder 2, led by Captain Mike Fratello arrived and began search and ventilation operations and they were joined by Ladder 1, led by Ex-Captain Steve Burke.

Seaford Ladder 3 responded as the F.A.S.T. Truck in the event of a firefighter emergency, as additional Wantagh units, Engine 4, Rescue 2 and 3, and the Rehab Unit were on scene. EMS Command was established with EMS Captain Steve Lincke in charge. Mutual Aid Engine, Ladder, and Ambulance from the Bellmore and Massapequa Fire Departments were on standby at Wantagh Fire Headquarters.

All visible fire was knocked down in approximately 20 minutes as members checked for extension and conducted extensive overhaul, as the fire had traveled inside the wall to the second floor. The Nassau County Fire Marshal and Nassau County Police Arson Unit were on scene to investigate the cause and origin of the fire, although it did not appear suspicious.

There were no injuries reported, and all units were back in service approximately 90 minutes later.

Photos by Kim Versheck, LNBN Photos
Kevin Regan, PIO