When the Garden City Park Fire Department was formed in 1911, its sole piece of equipment was a versatile horse-drawn vehicle of the day, a combination hook-and-ladder and bucket-brigade to enable its 23 members to fight fires.
As the volunteers of the 118-member fire department form up for the parade to observe the Garden City Park Fire Department’s centennial celebration on June 18, all the vehicles lining up with them will be state-of-the-art motorized units.
But the spirit and purpose of the fire department remains the same, and the long tradition of service they are a part of.
Garden City Park Fire Department Chief William Rudnick, a 15-year veteran of the department, is proud to be at the helm as he and his fellow firefighters mark its 100th year of fire protection for the community.
“It’s a great honor,” Rudnick said. “The members have put a lot of effort in the event.”
That seems appropriate, considering the efforts of the fire service over the past century.
The horses that pulled the department’s original apparatus were replaced with a second-hand truck in 1925 at its headquarters on Marcus Avenue. A used pumper truck was purchased, and remained in service until 1927, when the department’s second company – Merrilon Engine Company 2 – was established.
George Malvese became the first chief of department and the department’s headquarters were moved to Jericho Turnpike.
Formation of a third company, Hillside Heights Engine Company 3, followed in 1938, when another firehouse was established on Denton Avenue.
Two more units, Express Engine Company 4 and Rescue Five, were created in 1950.
The Garden City Park volunteers organized their first drill team, the Parkers, in 1937. The team’s moniker subsequently became the Mustangs, which won top trophies in motor pump competitions from 1940 through 1946.
Among those participating in the parade next week will be its longest-serving member, former chief Jack Sturz, who still assists at the firehouse on fire calls in his 60th year of service.
The Garden City Park volunteers will be joined in the parade by 18 or 19 other fire departments from the First Battalion, including units representing the New Hyde Park, Mineola, Williston Park, East Williston and Albertson fire departments.
The Mineola High School Marching Band will be one of several bands in the parade, including the Nassau County Pipe and Drum Band and bands from other fire departments, including Carle Place.
The parade will step off at 4:30 p.m. from Park Circle, moving along Park West to Nassau Boulevard, where it will proceed south to Jericho Turnpike. Moving west on Jericho, it will then proceed north on Central Avenue, then onto 8th Street and Evergreen into Tully Park.
The climax of the festivities will include a carnival in Tully Park, fireworks and a live music provided by local piano man Pat Farrell and his band.
The carnival in Tully Park opens on Thursday, June 16 and continues through Sunday, June 19.
Preparations for the big event began nearly three years ago, with a 15-member committee overseeing the planning.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” said Rudnick. “Hopefully we can serve for another 100 years.”
