48. Roy Harold Schaaf (1976-1977)
Served 2 Years
Roy Schaaf was born on January 31, 1932, and is the son of Phillip and Katherine (Jung) Schaaf. He married Gwendolyn McCue in 1954, and they lived at 21 Elmira Street. Roy was a carpenter his entire life, first as a custom builder in the family firm, Philip Schaaf and Sons, then he oversaw maintenance at Nassau Downs OTB.
Roy was a Veteran of the Korea War, serving in the United States Air Force.
Roy joined Engine Company 7 on July 30, 1957, and was given badge 553. He worked very hard for his company serving on many committees on both Company and Department levels, and his hard work and leadership ability soon led him up the ladder of offices to the position of Captain of Company 7 in 1966-1968.
In December of 1970 Roy was elected 3rd Assistant Chief. He ascended to serve as the 48th Chief in 1976 and his Assistant Chiefs were Bill Ferber, James Huttle and John Keyer.
On March 26 the Department received a report of an explosion and fire at the Texaco Gas Station on North Broadway and Bethpage Road. Upon arrival firemen found several cars damage, a huge hole in the ground and several shaken gas station employees. Firemen searched the wreckage and miraculously there were no injured. Eyewitnesses stated that when the explosion went off there was a huge fire ball and when the dust and debris settled the fire was out, snuffed out by the explosion itself. Leaking gasoline seeped into the storm drain in front of the bay doors and somehow an explosion was triggered. Firemen doused the area with pyronox chemical to prevent any further explosions.
The Department was called out early May 18th when a series of garage fires occurred, all within several hours of each other. The fires were deliberately set by unknown persons. The first alarm came at 12:39 AM for a garage fire at 19 Winding Road. When firemen arrived, the fire was moving swiftly through an attached garage. Firemen confronted heavy smoke conditions upon arrival and the occupants were alerted and evacuated. Less than a minute later a garage fire was reported around the corner at 9 Plover Lane and found to be fully involved upon arrival. At 1:00 AM a fire in a garage was reported at 194 Tenth Street and brought under control in a few minutes but not before significant damage was done. While returning from the 10th Street fire, firemen found a garage on fire at Jerusalem Avenue and 1st Street that had just been set and firemen were able to keep damages to a minimum. Finally, the next day, a general alarm was sounded for another garage fire, this time at 12 Winding Road and damage was kept to a minimum.No one was ever arrested.
June 1st started out quiet but dark skies around 5:00 PM signaled an approaching thunderstorm, accompanied by strong winds approaching tornado strength. In 6 hours, firemen responded to over 24 alarms. The tornado touched down in Westbury, then struck Hicksville, south of Old Country Road, proceeded southeast and destroyed many buildings in its path.
Responding apparatus reported very bad road conditions and blinding rains. Trees were torn from the ground and strewn about the street. Tool sheds and swimming pools were gone, and many homes were damaged. The most significant damage occurred at the Allied Shopping Center on Jerusalem Avenue. The twister touched down there and tore the roof off the Carvel Stand and severely damaged the Minuteman Cleaners and a Doctor’s office nearby.
Firemen were kept busy on August 9th and 10th when Hurricane Belle blew into town. Over 50 men stood by during the storm from 10:00 PM through 3:00 AM. The firemen responded to 33 storm emergencies and several rescue calls. Most of the fire calls were downed power lines or wires burning in the trees.
On February 15 a disastrous fire at the Sunny Shay Kennels 302 West John Street took the lives of 26 Prize Show Dogs, many of which were Afghans. The dogs, valued at $500 each, were to have been transported to a kennel shop later that day. Only the unselfish efforts of Hicksville firemen kept the toll at 26, as another 20 dogs were saved from their cages. Upon arrival, flames were coming from the basement entrance, the only one. Mostly the dead dogs were trapped in their cages in the cellar. Many firemen were visibly upset carrying out the dead and injured animals. Attempts were made to revive all the dogs with oxygen, some dogs survived with the treatment but for others it was too late.
A spectacular midafternoon blaze in March destroyed three attached stores at 545 South Broadway. The fire was reported at 2:45 PM at City Line Business Machines. Firemen were on the scene in minutes and the flames were coming out the roof. Other stores destroyed were Tom Farrell’s Lounge and an antique store. The fire started in the rear of the City Line Store where cleaning solvents were used, and the fire spread rapidly.
Hicksville firemen spent over 114 hours on the job, when a tractor trailer tank truck loaded with over 8,00 gallons of gasoline was in collision with a car at Newbridge and Old Country Roads. The truck overturned and started leaking gas. Firemen arrived on the scene in minutes and started to cover the area with foam. The Grumman Company sent a crash truck, and the Republic Airport sent in foam supplies. Speedy action by firemen prevented a fire which would have been difficult to fight in that the area as it was wide open, surrounded by gas stations and overhead power lines. The Newbridge shopping center was closed as a precaution and traffic was closed off a mile in each direction.
Seven firefighters were injured as they battled a general alarm fire on July 31 at 123 Brittle Lane. The fire was situated on the second floor, and one firefighter was injured as he attempted to gain access via the interior stairway. He was stalled for several minutes by locked doors at the head of the stairway.
A fire in a 2-story office building at 82 North Broadway caused considerable damage. The fire was reported on August 31st and started in an office on the 2nd floor of the Guardian Life Insurance Building. The first arriving engine company found a fast-moving fire. The fire was up above the ceiling and firemen worked feverishly to expose and extinguish the fire. The skylight above the fire broke from the heat and this helped firemen move in fast at the point of origin. Four offices suffered damage, and 10 others sustained water and smoke damage.
A flash fire in a building at 32 Barclay Street caused considerable damage to the structure and destroyed a vehicle and heavily damaged two others. The fire on December 27th was occupied by the Rapid Auto Radiator Inc. whose employees were working when the fire started. Employees had used fire extinguishers to make good their escape from the building. First engine Company, 932, had several firefighters overcome by acid fumes and heavy smoke.
The department purchased a new 1500 GPM Class A pumper, manufactured by Sutphen, Inc. of Ohio. The cost of this apparatus was $83,000. It is the first diesel in the Hicksville Fire Dept. and the second such on Long Island. Equipment included 3 pre-connects and front/rear suction and booster tank that holds 500 gallons of water for relatively small fires. The truck carried 1500 feet of 3" hose and 1200 feet of 2 1/2 feet of hose. It is also equipped with a 1,000 GPM and deck gun. It would be assigned to Volunteer Hose Company 4 (934).
The Department mourned the passing of two influential firemen, Ex-Chief Henry Gebhardt, who was a member of just about every fire service organization in the area. Ex-Chief Gebhardt served for over 66 years. They also mourned the loss of Harold “Hauwxie”’ Hawxhurst, a 49-year veteran of the Department. Hauwxie, was one of the most colorful members of this department. Like Ex-Chief Gebhardt, Hauwxie too, could be counted on when the chips were down or when your back was against the wall. He would always come to your aid.
Chief Schaaf led the members in Hicksville's Bicentennial celebration parade. With a sunny blessing and a brisk breeze to fly the many flags, the procession marched off almost on time, following the fire house horn signal to begin the day. Thousands of marchers and viewers along Old Country Road and Broadway took part in the community latest tribute to the Nation’s two hundred years of independence. The Department was there in all its glory, with its Color Guard, fire trucks and of course the fetchingly garbed Ladies Auxiliary and the Junior Firemen all reflected much credit on Hicksville.
For the 1st time, an annual tradition was started on Thanksgiving eve when the members of the Hicksville and Jericho Fire Department’s held their annual hockey game. The game held at Cantiague Park drew a good size crowd and observed Hicksville go down in defeat 7-2. The Hicksville team was led by coach Vic Nawrocki. Roy was a member of the Hick's Drill Team from 1957 to 1962.
In 1985, Roy was elected to serve as Fire Commissioner, and during his term, he served as Chairman in 1988.
Roy was a 62-year member of Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church in Hicksville and a 12-year member with St. Michael Lutheran Church in Fort Meyers, Florida. After retiring to Florida, he would continue his community service and serve as President of the Herons Glen Men’s Golf Association.
Chief Schaaf passed away on October 17, 2006, and is interred at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
Chief Schaaf is shown in command at a Nevada Street House Fire, at a fire prevention Mid Island Plaza storefront display with TOB Supervisor Colby, and commanding a fire at John's Tavern fire on West Marie Street.
