Welcome to this month’s edition of the Montauk Fire Department Corner. I hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. I’m sure you have been enjoying this beautiful fall weather leading up to this holiday season. We have a lot to get to this month so let’s get going.
First, on a sad note, I am sorry to have to report that Myrna Syvertsen passed away earlier this month. Myrna was a lifelong resident of Montauk and an active member of the Montauk Ladies Auxiliary for over 25 years. A memorial service, and celebration of her life was held for Myrna on Sunday, November 21st at the Sel Rrose restaurant. Myrna will be missed by the Montauk Fire Department, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the entire community of Montauk. Please keep the Syvertsen family in your thoughts and prayers. Please see the photograph here of Myrna’s honor guard.
On Wednesday, October 29th we held a department drill at the Wave Crest motel on the Old Montauk Highway. This “real world” drill was an all hands on deck training exercise utilizing most of the Department’s apparatus, and over fifty men and women of the Department personnel. It was a challenging event, designed to train in every area of the department. Please enjoy several photographs of the Montauk Fire Department members in action.
On Sunday, October 31st members of our Company No. 6, the Fire Police Company, provided traffic control for the annual Halloween Parade down Main Street. This has become a very big event in our community. There were at least 500 participants this year in all types of Halloween costumes. Thank you to our Fire Police 
for safely getting everyone involved from one end of town to the other.
On Veterans Day, November 11th, Montauk Fire Department personnel joined Veterans and their Families at neighboring Montauk Playhouse’s Suzanne Koch Gosman Flagpole Garden for a flag raising tribute. 
Montauk’s Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops also participated. Please see photos here by Honorary Chief Richard Lewin.
On Wednesday, November 17th at approximately 9 am the Montauk Fire Department answered an alarm of smoke in the residence at 23 Willow Lane. Upon arrival and further investigation, it was apparent that a fire had started in the basement area of the residence. While our members attacked the fire, a call for additional apparatus and manpower was requested from fire departments to our West. Apparatus and personnel from six fire departments responded and assisted us with successfully extinguishing the fire. I’d like to thank Amagansett, East Hampton, Springs, Sag Harbor, Southampton, and North Sea Fire Departments for assisting us in this endeavor.
Last but not least, I’d like to remind all senior citizens that we will be providing complimentary holiday dinners once again this year. This will be the 42nd year that the Department in conjunction with the Montauk Point Lions Club has sponsored this event. We will either deliver your dinner(s) to your home or you can pick up your dinner(s) at the Montauk Fire House between 1:00pm and 3:00pm on Sunday, December 5th.
That’s it for this month’s edition of the Montauk Fire Department Corner. Please enjoy a fun and safe holiday season.
~ Mitchell Valcich, Chief, Montauk Fire Department
https://www.montaukfiredistrict.org/
