Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department donates boat to upstate firefighters

A boat donated by the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department and delivered by members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department is now an asset to upstate firefighters.
Hurricane Sandy struck on Oct. 29, 2012, and fire companies from upstate New York were dispatched to Long Island to help local firefighters respond to emergencies as they dealt with the aftermath of that severe storm.
The friendships that were created proved a boon to the Hurleyville Fire Department in the hamlet of Fallsburg in Sullivan County. The department has three pieces equipment and 45 active members, while its coverage area encompasses 13-square-miles and several lakes and rivers.
Hurleyville’s Chief of Department Christopher Gibson told Rockville Centre firefighter Steven Torborg about their need for a small inflatable boat. This news was related to another friend and through social media.
Within a brief amount of time, LCFD Chief Anthony Rivelli Jr. responded and said his department had a surplus 12-foot inflatable boat with oars and a motor that they could give to Hurleyville, provided someone could deliver it to them.
RVCFD Chief John Thorp volunteered a department pickup truck and a few of his firefighters to make the delivery. The boat was delivered on Feb. 16.
“None of this would have been possible were it not for the friendships that were created in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy,” said John Miranda, Rockville Centre’s village administrator and director of Public Works.