James Dempsey

Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department

The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department covers ten square miles and has a residential population of over 44,000, and more than three times that amount during the workweek. Within the district there are two major hospitals, an industrial park, three high schools, seven middle and elementary schools, numerous shopping centers, houses of worship, office buildings and stores, major access highways and our Town Hall. We also cover over two miles of shorefront. In 2009, the M-LFD responded to over 2,050 incidents, including over 1,230 house or structure calls, 820 ambulance calls, and various other emergencies including brush fires, electrical wires and car or truck fires. This also includes motor vehicle accidents, which at times required the use of the fire department's heavy rescue units. To properly protect the diverse district life and property, the district supplies its 255 all-volunteer fire department members with the latest in fire fighting and rescue equipment. In addition to the new fire vehicles, the district over the last few years has purchased or leased operational equipment such as thermal imaging cameras for all the companies; Hurst tools "Jaws of Life" for the two heavy rescue and highway companies; radios; air packs; and advance life support systems on the two ambulances and budgeted for all chief's cars.