61. William Edward Thunell (2000-2001)
Served 2 Years
William Thunell was born January 1, 1947, in Queens and moved to Hicksville at the age of five and is the son of Herbert and Voilet. He married Lauretta on September 13, 1969. William was employed by the Long Island Lighting Company, which did business also as Brooklyn Union Gas, Keyspan, and National Grid, in the gas maintenance and service section for over thirty years. They have two children, Matthew and Jennifer. Matt is presently a fire captain at South Trail Fire/Rescue District in Cape Coral and Fort Meyers, Florida, while Jennifer works at Veterans Administration in Cape Coral.
"Spike," as he is known to all, graduated from Hicksville High School in 1964 and he attended Moore Head Community College in Kentucky for two years, and then Nassau Community College for a third year.
William joined the department as a member of Volunteer Hose Company 4 in April 1971 and he was elected as 2nd Lieutenant of Volunteer Hose Company 4 in 1976 and 1977, 1st Lieutenant in 1978 and 1979, and served as their 57th Captain in 1980 and 1981.
Spike was elected as 3rd Assistant Chief in 1994 by a vote of 116-84 against his challenger, Gene Pietzak. He was also elected again in 1995. 2nd Assistant Chief in 1996-1997, 1st Assistant Chief in 1998-1999 before being elected as the 61st Chief of the Hicksville Fire Department 2000-2001. His Assistant Chiefs were Patrick “Paddy” McGeough (1st), Steve Doucette (2nd) and Robert Chiz (3rd).
While Chief of the department he was able to improve its ISO insurance rating to a Class 2. At that time, there was no fully staffed volunteer fire department that achieved a rating higher than Class 2. Additionally, in 2000, there were only three thousand Class 2 rated departments out of a possible 27,000.
The Department took first place honors in the Category 60-65 members in the line-of-march at the NY State Firemen’s Association (FASNY) parade in Merrick. The Williams Circle Cycle Store located at 83 Woodbury Road was ravaged by fire. The fire gutted the entire showroom area, and most, if not all of the bicycles were destroyed. The shop and office area were spared of fire but did sustain significant smoke damage. The fire, occurred in the early evening on April 26, 2000. Ten units, under the direction of Chief Thunell and over 90 firefighters responded to the call. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion.
In May of 2000, a 67-year-old man died when a fire swept through his basement apartment at 28 West Cherry St. Firefighters found the unconscious and badly burned man shortly after arriving at the noon time blaze. The fire began and was contained to the basement and had been burning undetected for a period before firefighters had arrived. Emergency crews from the police department and fire department tried to revive the man as he was transported to Nassau County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The home showed signs of being overcrowded, and the Town of Oyster Bay Building Department was notified. Nassau County Police indicated that the building was issued numerous building code violations following the incident.
On July 23, 2000, in the early morning hours, fire consumed the entire home located at 137 West Cherry Street. A thirteen-year-old teenage girl was overcome with smoke while she was attempting to rescue her pets. Her sister jumped from the 2nd floor to safety and firefighters encountered heavy fire upon arrival. Firefighters went into deck gun operation while attempts to enter the rear of the structure were not successful.
In July of 2000, a fire ravaged the International House of Pancakes restaurant on Old Country Road and over 70 firefighters responded to the 1:30 AM call. The fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes, but not before the fire had burned through the roof of the establishment. The roof subsequently collapsed. The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries. The Plainview and Bethpage fire departments aided the Hicksville department.
In October of 2000, the Department, with the help from Jericho, Levittown, and Westbury, responded to a fire that broke out at 319 Jerusalem Avenue at 3:30 AM. The one-story building, which housed the Food Express Deli and the Evangelica Foundation of Life Church, was destroyed. No injuries were reported, however, the five-person family living in the basement of the building exited unharmed. Bringing 13 pieces of equipment to the scene, approximately 100 firefighters fought the blaze until 7:00 AM. The blaze crept up into the decorative overhang after blowing out the building's windows. It then traveled south and attacked the back of the building which housed the church.
On Saturday, December 2 at 1:22 AM firefighters responded to an alarm for an outside rubbish fire against a building located on Levittown Parkway. Upon arrival, the first units found the fire well advanced and spreading into the building, which housed Hicks Deli and four other stores. Firefighters used saws to break through the metal security door at the rear of the building to gain entry to the fire area. Quick action by firefighters confined damage to the deli's rear wall and kitchen area. Old Country Dry Cleaners, located next door, suffered minor smoke and structure damage. Six units with 60 firefighters responded.
Chief Thunell unfortunately was serving when the terrorist attacks took place on September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center was attacked, killing 3,000 civilians. The Hicksville Fire Department along with many other volunteer departments were requested by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for assistance, and many members were at ground zero by 11:30 that morning. Aside from the thousands murdered, the Hicksville Fire Department lost Ex-Chief Terrence Farrell of Rescue 4 (FDNY) and Ex-Captain George Howard of Port Authority Emergency Service on that horrible day, both of which were very close personal friends. Chief Thunell and many others will never forget that day.
A fire at 65 East John Street destroyed a two-story house and left 14 people homeless on February 10. The blaze started after a bedpost was placed on an electrical cord. When Chief Thunell arrived on scene, he reported seeing smoke. When the first truck arrived, the fire was already fully involved on the first floor. When it was brought under control by 11:00 PM. The two-story home had a huge attic and housed five apartments. The two families, originally from El Salvador, lost everything but their lives in the fire, escaping uninjured. They were escorted to an area hotel for the evening. One firefighter suffered a knee injury and was carried to safety by fellow firefighters.
Assistant Chief Thunell was awarded a Unit Citation for his work on Friday, August 21,1998 when the department was called to assist the Jericho fire Department for an overturned gasoline truck on the Long Island Expressway. Upon arrival at the scene, it was unknown how much product was in the tanker since its driver sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital. A Hazardous Material Command post was established, and a review of the load and delivery tickets concluded that the truck was carrying approximately 10,000 gallons of gasoline. Various operations were being conducted which included the stabilization of the truck, monitoring of storm drains, the evacuation of residents and the cutting of six 4" holes into the side of the tanker and offloading its contents into a second truck while foam was being applied. Periodic meetings at the command post, among the various agencies involved allowed for good communication during this large-scale incident that lasted approximately ten hours and started on a hot and sunny day.
On Wednesday, June 20, 2001, our department received a special call for mutual aid assistance for Engine 932, from the Huntington Manor Fire Department. Chief Thunell responded as part of the crew. Upon arrival at the scene, it was observed that there was a large lumberyard fire, inclusive of three structures fully engulfed with fire. Orders were given to secure a water supply and report to the front of the fire building. The crew was able to locate a water supply (hydrant) while two mutual-aid Engine Companies were able to perform change-over operations and assisted in supplying an adequate water supply through 1,400 feet of 5" hose. An additional water supply approximately 1,000 feet from Engine 932, which was also used to feed Engine 932, enabling the engine to utilize a deck-gun operation. While 932 was in operation, the crew was utilized in the rear of the building working with a 2 1/2" hose line to protect exposures, search for additional fire and protect property. Some 10 hours later, the crew was relieved and released late in the afternoon on Sunday. For their actions, the crew went above and beyond what is expected under normal conditions, used their skills and strength to assist this mutual aid department in their time of need and were awarded a Unit Citation for their work.
Chief Thunell was saddened to learn about the passing of Honorary Chief Edward Eisemann. He was a 53-year member of the department and the former branch manager of the Plainview Post Office. He lost his long fight against cancer. His father, Carl Eisemann, and uncle, Joe Eisemann, served the department for 64 years and 55 years, respectively.
"Spike" also served as Secretary of Company 4 prior to being elected a line officer. In 1973, he joined the Rescue Squad and became a New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technician and went onto become one of the Hicksville Fire Department's first six Advanced Medical Technicians in 1975.
He has been a Labor Day Committee member for over twenty-five years, and a Labor Day Chairman in 1977. "Spike" is most proud of being a training instructor in our department for over twenty-five years and has been instrumental in formulating a great many of the department’s standard operating procedures and policies.
Chief Thunell is also a long-standing member of our Hazmat team. In 2008, William was elected to serve as Fire Commissioner of the Hicksville Fire District for a 5-Year term, serving as its Chair in 2011. Ex-Chief Thunell has since moved to Florida to be close to his family.
