63. Steven Doucette (2004-2005)
Served 2 Years
Steven Doucette was born October 5, 1967, and married Karen in June of 2000. Steven was employed by the Town of Oyster Bay before becoming an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician-Critical Care with the Nassau County Police Department.
Steve joined Floodlight/Heavy Rescue Company 8 on January 26, 1986, and served as 2nd Lieutenant in 1990 and 1991, 1st Lieutenant in 1992-1993 and was subsequently elected as their Captain in 1994-1995.
Steve was elected as 3rd Assistant Chief in 1998-1999, 1st Assistant Chief 2000-2001 and 1st Assistant Chief in 2002-2003. In 2004, he was elected to serve the highest position in the volunteer fire department, as the 63rd Chief of Department. His Assistant Chiefs were Robert Chiz, 1st Assistant, Robert Lang, 2nd Assistant and Edward Korona, 3rd Assistant.
On April 19, 2004, the department responded to a call for a fire in the vicinity of Newbridge Road and West John Street. The alarm was initially received as a building fire through Firecom. Upon arrival a signal 10 was issued. The fire began at McKing Deli and quickly spread to such neighboring stores as Checkmaster, Nail Galley and the eBay Store. The fire was particularly difficult to extinguish because the roof of the building was covered with a chain link fence which was used as a security device. Firefighters had to remove the McKing Deli sign to get behind it, but, because it was electrified, LlPA had to be called to turn off the power so that firefighters could safely battle the blaze.
In May of 2004, the Hicksville Fire Department responded to a call for a fire in the rear of 10 Bethpage Road between Midland and Twin Lawns Avenues. Upon arrival, firefighters found a large fire and heavy smoke in the rear of Edgian Press, Inc., a lithograph, and printing business. Units from Jericho, Bethpage and Syosset provided mutual aid. One Hicksville firefighter received a head laceration and was transported to an area hospital by a police ambulance.
Firefighters battled a raging fire in a two-story apartment house on West Cherry Street on December 23, 2004. The alarm was reported via 911 at 9:14 PM. Firefighters encountered a fully involved structure with fire out every opening on both floors. Neighbors were screaming, glass was breaking, and power lines were starting to burn as the first engines arrived. A neighbor was credited with saving the lone occupant. Upon seeing the fire, the neighbor instructed his family to call 911 and ran to the house to see who he could help. He ran around back and saw his neighbor inside fall to the floor as he was trying to get out. The neighbor then ran into the burning home and dragged the victim outside where he was met by police officers who brought them out to the street for treatment. The victim was treated at the scene and rushed to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment of burns to his respiratory system.
On July 29, 2005, the department was alerted to a building fire at Durante Equipment Company at 60 Bethpage Road. The first units on the scene reported heavy smoke, prompting an alarm for a working building fire. Mutual aid was received from the Jericho, Bethpage and Plainview Fire Departments. The fire was brought under control in 30 minutes under the direction of Chief Steve Doucette.
February 20, 2005, a mechanic at McDaniel Ford was working on the plastic gas tank of a Ford Focus, which was on the lift. When some of the gasoline splashed on him, the mechanic backed up and knocked over his light, which ignited gas that had spilled on the floor. The fire then spread to the car, igniting the gas tank. The mechanic escaped injury, but the vehicle was damaged, the garage and other vehicles inside sustained smoke damage. Upon arrival, Hicksville firefighters encountered heavy smoke conditions. Due to delayed reporting of the fire, however, the blaze gained considerable headway on the firefighters.
In 2005, an assessment of fire protection services conducted by the Insurance Services Office's (ISO) Public Protection Classification (PPC) Service once again ranked the Hicksville Fire Department as the highest on Long Island as well as among the top one percent in New York and throughout the United States. Of 69 departments in Nassau County, Hicksville is one of only six that has achieved a PPC of 2, the best given in the county. None of Suffolk County's 109 departments received Class 1 or Class 2 designations. In determining a department's ranking, ISO officials analyze data gathered from municipal officials and share it with insurance companies. Nearly 45,000 departments across the country and 2,442 in New York are assessed using the PPC formula. According to the ISO website, the rating gauges the "capacity of the local fire department to respond if flames engulf a property in which the fire company has a financial stake." The findings are a means of assessing fire protection in a community and are used by insurance carriers in setting rates for insurance n residential and commercial properties. The classification of the department's ability to fight fires helps a community determine the effectiveness of its fire protection service and assists fire districts in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training. The standard, with which the departments are rated, is the same throughout the United States. Hicksville has maintained a Class 2 ISO ranking since 2001. Prior to that time, the department was ranked Class 3.
Steve, a N.Y.S. certified Hazardous Materials Technician, has worked with the Hazardous Material Team Leaders to provide the best training and equipment that the Department can offer. Steve was also an active member of the Department's Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Committee. He is a N.Y.S. certified Emergency Medical Technician in Critical Care. He strived to work closely with the EMS coordinators to provide the best rescue services for the community.
Steve was part of a Unit Citation on August 10, 1987. The Hicksville Fire Department received a report of an auto accident with aided at Broadway and Old Country Road. The first unit to arrive notified the dispatcher that there was a three-car accident. When 938 arrived at the scene the crew was told that there were people trapped in one of the cars. This car was on the center divider and into a light pole. The light pole was hit so hard that it was just hanging over the car. While the AEMT started to stabilize the two victims, the rest of the crew went to work in stabilizing the car and getting the extrication tool ready to work. While removing the first aided from the passenger side of the car, the extrication spreader was used to remove the driver's door to get to the second aided, whose vital signs at this time were deteriorating. The crew was now pressed for time. Not only because of the aided's condition but also because the light pole might fall on the car and them. After the door was removed the aided was still trapped in the car by the steering wheel. At this time the extrication chains and spreader was used to pull the steering wheel from the aided and then the driver's seat had to be pushed back with the extrication rams to free the aided. The aided was then removed from the auto and transported to the hospital. The quick reaction of 938's crew and their expertise in the use of the extrication tool resulted in a quick and smooth operation without further injury to the aided.
0n January 25, 1990, Steve was part of a large group of members who responded to a commercial airline crash in Cove Neck. The Department was involved in rescue operations throughout the night.
Assistant Chief Doucette was awarded a Unit Citation for his work on Friday August 21, 1998, when the Hicksville Fire 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.
Steve was awarded an EMS Award in 1998. On Thursday November 6, 1998, the Hicksville Fire Department responded to a rescue call for a suicide attempt. The patient was an unconscious male in his early forties that had cut his wrist and had respirations of about eight per minute. There were two self-inflicted lacerations on his left forearm, from a utility knife and blood was throughout the bedroom. It was also determined that the patient consumed an unknown amount of alcohol. As part of the team Assistant Chief Doucette started an intravenous line. The heart rate was monitored, and a bag valve mask (BVM) was used to help with ventilation. The patient was brought out to the ambulance and quickly transported to the hospital where he survived his injuries. For their determination and teamwork in sustaining a life, the Hicksville Fire Department awarded these members its EMS Medical award.
During his 8 years in the Chief’s Office, Steve was able to pride himself on several cutting-edge accomplishments. He secured Morning Pride turnout gear with leather boots and helmets for the entire Department. He upgraded communications throughout the district and with surrounding departments with new frequencies. He was an active part of the Committee that standardized the engines to help improve operations. Steve was also instrumental on getting the first training facility built on the grounds of Station Three.
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 Doucette 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 and used their skills and strength to assist this mutual aid department in their time of need and were awarded Unit Citation for their work.
On September 11, 2001, a day that will never be forgotten, Steve left his place of employment and reported to Fire Headquarters, prior to being called by FDNY Special Operations to aid at the scene. Heavy Rescue Company #8 was requested and responded to Ground Zero, under his direction. They spent the next 24 hours there assisting and providing support to the FDNY. During the days that followed, the Department continued to provide assistance at Ground Zero and throughout the city.
Steve Doucette received an EMS Unit Citation award for his actions on an EMS Call. On December 18, 2003, the Hicksville Fire Department received a call for a female choking at 616 South Oyster Bay Road. The call stated she was alert and conscious. Within three minutes of the time of the alarm, Chief Doucette was on scene reporting that the female was unconscious, unresponsive and in respiratory arrest. Her heart was beating at a rate of 30. With the assistance of the first responding members, the patient was intubated with an I.V. established and the patient was medicated. While clearing/suctioning the airway, a large piece of food was removed using the forceps. Shortly after the food was removed, the patient's vital signs returned to normal limits, and she regained consciousness. The quick actions of this crew working together saved the patient's life and the actions involved and outstanding EMS operation, which was dependent upon teamwork and cooperation, resulting in the sustaining and or saving of human life.
Due to OSHA requirements, the Hicksville Fire Department was no longer able to host the Annual Labor Day Drill. Chief Doucette said it was indeed unfortunate that the Department could no longer host the drill portion of the event and that the grandstands did not meet the requirements as mandated under OSHA. The parade continued to be hosted and Chief Doucette in an open letter to community thanked the community for their unmatched support and dedication to the men and the women who proudly serve.
In addition, Steve served as co-chairman of the Department Training Committee, as a member of the Labor Day Committee, as co-captain of the Department Hazzbeens old fashioned racing team and played on the ice hockey team.
Steve is currently a NYS certified Paramedic and continues his job with the Nassau County Police Department as one of their Medics. He and Karen remain Hicksville residents with their two daughters and son.
