South Side Hose Co. marks 95th anniversary

South Side Hose Company No. 2 was established in Oceanside on Aug. 1, 1927 in the house of former Chief Richard Bedell’s grandfather. Since then, the main building has moved around some, but the firehouse’s dedication to the Oceanside community hasn’t changed in the last 95 years.

On Aug. 2, during its monthly meeting, which has traditionally been held on the first Tuesday of every month since 1927, the firehouse celebrated its 95th anniversary with a barbecue. Each year, the chiefs and commissioners are invited to attend, as well as the widows of members who have passed away.

“Some of us have known each other for all our adult lives,” said Steven Bresin, former chief and current treasurer, who has been with the Oceanside Fire Department for 54 years. “We got married and were at each other’s weddings. We had kids and were there when the kids grew up. We grew up with this fire department.”

Many members, such as Bresin, have been with the firehouse for more than half of its existence. The firehouse’s historical significance is stated in a message on its website.

“We, the members of South Side Hose Company No. 2, are proud of our heritage, and proudly look forward to the heritage we will leave behind for future members, in turn,” the message stated.

For 95 years, the privately owned firehouse has continued to make history.

For many of the members, including Bedell, grandson of one of the founders, the firehouse is considered to be a big part of his family’s history. At one point, Bedell had been a member of South Side, alongside his father and nine of his brothers.

“It’s in my blood,” said Bedell. “It’s in our blood. We want to do what we can for the community and we’re always there for everybody. I always tell the guys who come in, ‘You got to have your heart into the company to keep moving.’”

Bedell has put 63 years into the volunteer fire service, but he is not the only one who cherishes South Side’s heritage. Daniel Sabatino, a 30-year volunteer with the Oceanside Fire Department, became the captain of South Side in May. To honor the firehouse’s history, he said it is up to the present and new members to keep the traditions going and commend the volunteers before them.

“It is deep within ourselves as volunteers just to answer any call for help,” said Sabatino. “That I believe is our biggest motivation along with the camaraderie of being in the company, working together with our second families.”

The firehouse is working on plans for its 100th anniversary, a mere five years away, including putting together an anniversary book made up of pictures provided by older members. The 100th is expected to be the biggest of them all, according to several members, including former chief Edward Scharfberg, now public information officer, who has been with South Side for 44 years.

“It’s very heartwarming and humbling to be part of this organization,” Scharfberg said. “I am looking forward to the 100th, but I’m happy to be here for the 95th. Obviously, our first goal is to serve the community, but we also would love to keep our traditions for future members, and we hope that the future members, whoever they might be, will also want to continue those traditions.”

Scharfberg, who is also on the recruitment committee, said the fire department continues to seek volunteers. The application process takes between two and three months, and includes training on basic firefighting essentials, such as first aid and CPR, as well as fire school at the Fire Academy in Bethpage. The training is free and gives college credit to anyone looking to advance within the forensics or medical departments

The firehouse has dealt with its share of challenges over the years. In 2012, the main South Side building was flooded with more than 40 inches of water as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The current 33 active members have been unable to use the building ever since. The rebuilding process is nearing completion, but the firehouse relies heavily on fundraising to get the supplies that are needed.

Sabatino said he hopes the firehouse will be completed soon. “We have several members who have worked tirelessly, rebuilding it for the better part of a decade,” he said.

Meanwhile, South Side has continued to serve Oceanside for the past 10 years out of a trailer in a neighboring parking lot. “We’re there 24/7, we do it all,” said Scharfberg. “We are the fix-it people of the community, alongside the police department and emergency service. We are looking forward to many more years of serving the community.”