Wetdown Ceremony Christens New Ladder And Tanker For Atlantic Steamer Fire Company

OYSTER BAY, NY — The Atlantic Steamer Fire Company (ASFC) had a wetdown ceremony this past Sunday to christen a new ladder and tanker into its fleet.

Six fire departments attended the ceremony, including Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Bayville, Syosset, Locust Valley, and Jericho. Politicians, including Nassau County Legislator Samantha Goetz and Oyster Bay Cove Mayor Charles Goulding, also attend, as well as others.

"There is pride in the fire service because we're all volunteers," the ASFC said.

The new ladder, or firetruck, was a 2024 Pierce 107-foot Ascendent, equipped with 500 gallons of water and a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pump. The water monitor is roof-mounted, also called a deck gun. It replaced a 1996 75-foot ladder.

The second new truck is a 2024 Kenworth Rosenbauer Pumper/Tanker and holds 3,500 gallons of water, with a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pump. It's roof-mounted as well. It replaced a 1972 Mack that was a 3,000-gallon tanker.

The height of the ladder is incredibly important to help the firefighters, the ASFC said: "We need them to fight fire from above or to rescue someone."

Chief Francesco Barbera directed the ceremony, and Father Walter Kedjierski blessed the new equipment.

Fire department guests were invited to throw water on the new trucks as part of the christening.

The ASFC said it has been at many wetdown ceremonies, and it's an honor to attend them.

Firefighters shared the story behind the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company's name. The company was organized in 1890. At that time, the "steamer" was a type of engine that firefighters would fill with steam, and the steam would power the hoses.

The ASFC and Oyster Bay Fire Department both service Oyster Bay, but have worked as two separate companies for the past 135 years — though when needed, they will work as a team. They even have their own truck colors — Atlantic Steamer Fire Company's is white, and the Oyster Bay FD's is red.

The ASFC is also the only fire department dive team on the North Shore of Nassau County, fire officials said. The ASFC has responded to many incidents as a dive team, the ASFC said.

The ASFC is looking for new volunteers and will provide all the training and equipment; volunteers can be as young as 17 years old.