NANUET VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY

On Wednesday evening July 3rd, Nanuet and Clarkstown residents once again descended upon the Nanuet High School ball fields for the Town of Clarkstown's annual Independence Day fireworks display.

As it has for years, the Nanuet FD provided support for the show by staging various fire apparatus and personnel at the safe perimeter of the lower ball field where the fireworks display was centered.

Asst Chief Todd Giraudin (8-2) commanded the operation with assistance from Asst Chief Bill Schoenleber (8-3) and dozens of Nanuet firefighters. After final safety checks and approvals were granted, Asst Chief Giraudin along with the Clarkstown Fire Inspector's Office gave the command that the show could begin.

Beginning at 9:20pm, and lasting for almost a half hour, hundreds of colorful explosions filled the humid summer evening, amazing onlookers for miles.

8-EQ, Nanuet FD's usual first responding apparatus was specially staged near the high school's exit with a dedicated crew of firefighters who would leave the festivities to respond to any emergencies that may have arose elsewhere in the town.

Commissioner Domenick Giovinazzo explained: "We always have a team ready to go, no matter what the emergency or where it is. This event is no different. We have to be ready to respond at a moment's notice."

Firefighters weren't the only emergency service volunteers on hand to ensure the public's safety. Lieutenant Katie Jacobson of Nanuet Ambulance Corps (www.nanuetems.org) explained that emergency medical personnel were spread out throughout the grounds.

At the conclusion of the show, firefighters assisted the pyrotechnics team in assuring that all dangerous explosives had been either safely detonated, or stored away. Teams of firefighters also circled the wooded areas surrounding the display to ensure no burning embers would ignite spot brush fires.

"With the wet conditions we've had most of the week, it's very unlikely that any underbrush or grass would ignite" said Lieutenant David Jacobson, a decade long veteran of Nanuet's all volunteer force.

Shortly after 10:00pm, when all of the final checks had been completed, firefighters returned to their Prospect St headquarters as the thousands of spectators headed home.

The busy night wasn't over though. The volunteers headed back out shortly before 11pm responding to calls from concerned residents smelling smoke. It was quickly determined that the heavy humidity and low winds had caused the residual firework smoke to linger in the Nanuet area longer than usual. With their concerns put at ease, the residents thanked the firefighters for their quick response and their dedication to the community's safety.

Firefighters will remain vigilant throughout the holiday weekend, and remind residents that fireworks and holiday pyrotechnics are extremely dangerous and should only be left to professionals.