62. Patrick McGeough (2002-2003)
Served 2 Years
Patrick “Paddy” McGeough was born on January 22, 1964, in the Highbridge section of the Bronx. Paddy is the son of Francis and Ellen McGeough. He married Pamela Simons in October of 2002. Paddy was employed by the New York City Police Department working as one of the City’s Finest, a patrolman in the 43rd precinct in the Bronx before being promoted as a Detective in 1997, working in the Warrant Division, Joint Immigration Task Force and had been part of the U.S. Marshall Fugitive Task Force before he retired. Paddy and Pam live on Land Lane.
Paddy joined Independent Engine and Hose Company 2 in June of 1983 and immediately became interested in the "Hicks" Drill Team, joining the drill team in 1983. His passion for the racing team has led him to the position of Co-Captain of the Drill Team, devoting many hours. He remains interested and in contact with many friends from other drill teams.
Paddy was elected to serve Company Two as 2nd Lieutenant in 1992 and 1993, before progressing to 1st Lieutenant in 1994. He was subsequently elected as Captain in 1995. Paddy was elected as 3rd Assistant Chief in 1996 by a margin of 129-75 against his challenger, Steve Doucette. He was also elected again in 1997. Paddy was elected as 2nd Assistant Chief in 1998-1999, 1st Assistant Chief in 2000 - 2001 before being elected as the 62nd Chief of the Hicksville Fire Department 2002 -2003. His Assistant Chiefs were Steve Doucette (1st), Robert Chiz (2nd) and Robert Lang (3rd).
A fire broke out at Sal's Broadway Body Shop on January 30, 2003, at approximately 3:00 AM The building was fully involved in fire upon arrival. It took about half an hour to control the blaze, under the direction of Chief Paddy McGeough. Because of the nature of the business and the hazardous materials inside the building, it could have been much worse. Fortunately, no one was injured.
A Nelson Avenue home was destroyed on January 24, 2003, due to an explosion and fire caused by a natural gas leak in the street. Firefighters fought a gas-fed fire from outside while waiting for a gas crew from Port Jefferson to arrive. When the owners arrived home they noticed a strong odor of gas in front of their house. Upon entering the home, they found it smelled like gas too. After a quick investigation inside the home, the couple called Keyspan and decided to wait outside. This decision saved them from being seriously injured as an unknown source triggered an explosion and fire just as the couple stepped off their front porch. The force of the explosion knocked them both to the ground. They both suffered slight injuries and were treated at North Shore Hospital in Plainview and released.
Firefighters responded to a total of 48 alarms during the Blackout of 2003 on August 14-15. There were five fire calls, nine automatic fire alarms set off by the power failure, eight investigations resulting from problems arising from the blackout, eight rescue calls not caused by the blackout and assistance to five residents' calls for various reasons. The department provided an ambulance and crew to assist the East Meadow Fire Department at a seven-car crash on Route 106 and Hempstead Turnpike. The Jericho Fire Department requested a ladder truck to assist them at an apartment fire on Brush Hollow Road. New York City Management requested a few dozen ambulances from Nassau and Westchester counties to assist them in handling a backlog of requests in the city. Hicksville provided one ambulance with a crew.
Paddy has been a member on the Labor Day Committee for many years, serving on the Parade Committee and most will remember his work on the 100th Anniversary Committee,bringing the Hicksville Community the largest parade ever in Hicksville. He also had the honor of being Labor Day Chairman in 1995.
Paddy received a Unit Citation on October 24, 1983, for his actions taken on a Rescue Alarm. The unit consisting of Captain Schieferstein, Ex-Captain Thomas Sullivan, Firefighter’s James Cammarata, Richard Schmidt, and Patrick McGeough responded to a rescue call. Upon arrival they found a 24-year-old male in cardiac arrest. The father and sister were performing CPR. Firefighters Schmidt and McGeough took over CPR. CPR continued while the victim was moved to the ambulance. Advanced life support measures were instituted. After medication was administered the patient started to improve. After additional treatment the patient responded to light and sound stimuli. At the last check the patient was in serious but stable condition. The efficient efforts of the EMS Personnel saved a life.
One of Paddy's most honorable moments was pulling a woman out of a working house fire with then Captain Thomas Sullivan where he was recognized with the Nassau County Bronze Medal of Valor in 1990. The same year he accepted the Elks Club and American Legion Awards for his heroic actions. On July 21, 1989, the department responded to a working house fire at 116 Blueberry Lane. Firefighter Patrick McGeough responded first due and was advised that they had a working fire and the possibility of a trapped occupant. After assisting at the hydrant, Firefighter McGeough stretched the first handline to the front door and waited for water. Upon receiving water, Firefighter McGeough was met by Ex-Captain Sullivan, they advanced the line into the house. Firefighter McGeough had the line and was now using it to protect the search team from any extending fire. Firefighter McGeough moved forward and passed the fire area in the living room and assisted in the removal of the unconscious victim from the house. In the finest tradition of the fire service, Firefighter McGeough's teamwork in assisting in establishing a water supply, stretching the first line, providing back up on that line using it to protect his fellow firefighters and then assist in the removal of a fire victim contributed to the successful outcome of this call.
2nd Assistant Chief McGeough was awarded a Unit Citation in 1998 for his response to an Ice Storm. The largest and most devastating ice storm to strike this state came unexpectedly during the early days of January 1998, in upstate New York near the Canadian border. Governor George Pataki declared a state of emergency. The Hicksville Fire Department was called upon, along with their neighboring departments, to aid with equipment and manpower to areas upstate. In many of these areas power had been cut-off for days, manpower exhausted and firefighter equipment began to fail. Assistant Chief McGeough led the members of Hicksville to the town of Redwood, just twenty-five miles from the Canadian border. Their assignment was to provide relief to the United States Army National Guard and local firefighters. These tasks included medical treatment, verifying gas was shut off in homes, pumping out water from basements along with other types of hazards. The crew was also summoned to a fully involved house fire showing evidence of collapsing walls, exposure fires to vehicles nearby and two large propane cylinders with flames impinging on the tanks and relief valves on the tank activated.
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 McGeough 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 was 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. 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 McGeough was awarded an EMS Award for his actions on July 2, 2003. The Hicksville Fire Department received a call for a man having trouble breathing at 34 Gables Road. Within minutes of the alarm, Chief McGeough arrived on the scene and requested forthwith response for a male, in a car, in cardiac arrest. The crew arrived and immediately removed the victim from the car and began C.P.R. He was then intubated, and I.V was started, and atropine was given. The patient was transported to the hospital and upon arrival he had a pulse rate of 60. Fortunately, due to the actions of the rescue crew on scene, the resident was alive and well in the hospital.
Paddy is also a member of the Hazardous Materials Team, a member of the Department’s Hockey Team, and found time to contribute his efforts to the 100th Anniversary Historical Journal. Paddy has been a member of the Department Training Committee, where he has been its chair for many years. Paddy also has an interest in Civil War history, railroads and has been deeply involved in the Department and Company Two’s history.
