EMFD to Host 6th Battalion Parade and Drill

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The East Meadow Fire Department recently announced that it is hosting the annual 6th Battalion Parade and Drill competition on Aug. 25. In planning for more than a year, this event will honor East Meadow's own Ex Chief Robert V. Hughes in recognition of his appointment to "Chairman of the 6th Battalion."

A drill competition will be held at 10 a.m. at the Four Town's Fire Training Center on Merrick Road in Merrick. All residents are welcome to attend. The events will range from a laser-timed drill competition of eight different types ranging from running ladder events, to running hose events, to — everyone's favorite— the bucket brigade event. The top five teams winning in each category with take home a trophy for their department with the end of the day event results tallied and announced for the best overall teams. Come out and support your East Meadow "Meadowlarks Drill" Team.

Just hours after the drill competition, the town of East Meadow will be the site of a firefighter parade competition for all 6th Battalion fire departments, as well as a few invited fire departments, such as those not in our battalion, but with whom the EMFD works closely.

The parade will begin at 6 p.m. and march down the streets of East Meadow from the East Meadow High School, down Prospect Avenue ending with a huge block party at the East Meadow Fire Headquarters on East Meadow Avenue.

With parade judges along the route, one by one, fire departments will march in step, to the beat of the many marching bands, while followed by their sparkling chiefs cars, fire trucks, and ambulances, proudly on display.

Our community is invited to join us for the festive atmosphere with food, drinks, a live band, and many other attractions. At the end of the evening, the parade results will be announced for the best appearing categories of color guards, fire departments, musical units, Ladies Auxiliary, and Junior Fire Company.

The 6th Battalion consists of nine Fire Departments all formed through the Nassau County Fire Service. Its intention is to provide departments with a planned regional source of mutual aid in the event of a major fire, mass casualty incident, disaster, or any other need requiring the help of a neighboring agency.  For as long as can be remembered, the 6th Battalion has been one of the tightest battalions in the 72-Fire Department arsenal that makes up Nassau County. The 6th Battalion is comprised of the Bellmore FD 600, East Meadow FD 610, Levittown FD 620, Massapequa FD 630, Merrick FD 640, North Bellmore FD 650, North Massapequa FD 660, North Merrick FD 670, Seaford FD 680, and Wantagh 690.

John J. O'Brien is an active Ex Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department. He is the District Supervisor of the Jericho Fire District and has over 30 years of Dispatch and Supervisory experience.