When a raging forest fire tore through Greenwood Lake and nearby Warwick, New York, last month, six firefighters from the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company, in Oyster Bay, answered the call to assist. Responding to a request coordinated by New York State Forest Rangers and local fire marshals, the crew brought their expertise, grit and teamwork to the front lines of the Sterling Forest State Park blaze.
The group, which included 1st Assistant Chief Francesco Barbera and firefighters Bill Gagliano, Ron Bagan, Matt Baranski, Ray Norton and Primo Simbari, joined a number of fire departments from Nassau County and across the state in a grueling operation on New York’s southern border with New Jersey. Their mission: help contain a fire that had already burned thousands of acres and posed a significant threat to nearby homes and residents.
Atlantic Steamer’s involvement began when the Nassau County fire marshal reached out to local chiefs, explaining the need for manpower and specific equipment to help battle the fire. Barbera quickly disseminated the message to his team.
“We received the request and put it out to our membership,” Barbera said. “Anyone interested in going was welcome to reach out to us. Within around four hours, we had a crew ready to respond.”
The response required a 72-hour commitment, divided into three 24-hour shifts. The Atlantic Steamer crew headed to New York on Nov. 13.
This was the first experience with a large wildfire for most of the team, but one member, Ron Bagan, a retired firefighter and a certified wildland fire squad boss, brought years of specialized training to the effort.
“I’ve been volunteering with the forest rangers out east since 2011,” Bagan said. “I’m trained in wildland firefighting through the National Wildfire Coordination Group, and have experience with prescribed burns in the central Pine Barrens.”
The deployment necessitated careful coordination of personal and professional commitments. Many firefighters had to negotiate with employers and arrange child care to make the trip possible.
“I’m lucky that I have an awesome boss who encouraged me to go,” said Primo Simbari, who works for a telecommunications company. “He made sure every way possible that I was able to go and help in any way I could.”
When the firefighters arrived in Greenwood Lake, the situation was critical but under control. “By the time we got there, the fire was about 60 percent contained,” Barbera said. “The focus was on creating and maintaining control lines to prevent further spread.”
After leaving Long Island at 4 a.m., the Oyster Bay firefighters arrived in time for a morning briefing, during which forest rangers outlined the assignments for each team. Atlantic Steamer’s crew worked alongside other Nassau County firefighters under the supervision of two forest rangers, digging fire lines, operating specialized equipment like Gator utility vehicles, and keeping the fire from threatening nearby homes.
“Forest fires are very different from the structural firefighting we’re used to,” Barbera explained. “It’s all about strategy and containment. A lot of the work is physically demanding and not particularly glamorous, but every task is critical.”
“In a forest fire, the topography is a major factor,” Bagan said. “The steep, rocky terrain in this area made it difficult to use bulldozers, so a lot of the work had to be done by hand.”
The fire also presented a unique challenge because it burned in a so-called wildland-urban interface, where residential properties are close to forests. Protecting those homes was a top priority for the firefighters.
“There was nothing imminently threatened,” Bagan recalled, “but at some point the fire had burned within 20 to 30 feet of one house.”
Despite the challenges, the Atlantic Steamer crew credited the careful organization of the operation for its success in battling the fire, which burned over 4,000 acres.
“It was very coordinated,” Baranski said. “The forest rangers did a great job of keeping everyone on the same page, and that made all the difference.”
The collaboration between state agencies and fire departments was crucial. Atlantic Steamer’s team worked in a task force that included tankers, engines and support vehicles. The firefighters were also amazed by how much goodwill the people of Greenwood Lake showed. Gagliano said he had never seen so many community members come out to support, help and thank them in his decades-long career.
“I’m not used to driving through a town and seeing people out with signs, waving, crying, screaming ‘Thank you!’” he said.
As the Atlantic Steamer firefighters drove back to Oyster Bay, they reflected on the experience and its impact on their approach to firefighting. “This was a learning experience for all of us,” Barbera said. “It gave us a greater appreciation for the complexities of wildland firefighting and the importance of preparedness and teamwork.”
The crew’s efforts have not gone unnoticed in Oyster Bay. Residents have expressed pride in the firefighters’ willingness to step up in a time of need, even when the call came from 100 miles away.
As wildfires become more frequent and severe due to climate change, the Atlantic Steamer company’s experience highlights the importance of collaboration and preparedness in tackling these complex emergencies.
“Our primary duty is to our local community, but when the call comes, we’re ready to help wherever we’re needed,” Barbera said. “That’s what it means to be a firefighter.”
The Atlantic Steamer company is accepting new members, starting at age 17, to be firefighters and EMTs, and provides all of the training. Anyone interested in joining or learning more can visit its website, AtlanticSteamer.com, or email atlanticsteamerfireco@gmail.com.
