On Sunday February 15, 2026 at Wading River Fire Department (WRFD) personnel were on scene of an EMS alarm when they monitored a radio transmission about a possible structure fire. Chief Tom Whelan (6-3-30) and 2nd Assistant Chief Denise Gluck (6-3-32) quickly reassigned the members on scene to transport the sick person to the hospital and had the additional personnel respond back to the fire house to pick up the fire apparatus. At 8:08 PM WRFD was activated for a possible residential structure fire at # 73 Long View Dr. While responding, a radio transmission from the Riverhead Town Police sector car arrived on scene and reported that he had flames visible from the structure was monitored.
Chief Gluck arrived on scene and confirmed that the rear deck was on fire and that the fire had extended into the home. Chief Whelan had Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (SC FRES) Dispatchers reactivate WRFD for a “Working Structure Fire” which immediately activated a robust “Mutual Aid Plan” which brought in additional resources from our neighboring departments. Chief Whelan assumed “Command” and Chief Gluck was assigned as “Operations”.
WRFD Truck 4 was 1st due and under the leadership of 1st Lieutenant Brendan Donnelly, Crews stretched a handline, entered the structure, located the fire, and performed a primary search. The hose crew knocked down the visible fire in the kitchen area and confronted with a large amount of fire in the attach garage, made an aggressive push into the garage and again knocked down all the fire within the structure. WRFD Engine 13, attached to a nearby hydrant and provided a positive water source for Ladder 4. The crew from Engine 13 stretched an additional handline to extinguish the fire outside the structure. WRFD Engine 11 arrived on scene and crews went to work backing up the crews of 4 & 13.
Mutual Aid Units from Rocky Point, Ridge, Manorville and Riverhead Fire Departments arrived and were put to work “opening up” the structure and providing ventilation and overhaul. Brookhaven National Laboratory Fire Department provided a Rapid Intervention Team (RiT) and Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance stood by at the Scene. The Riverhead Town Fire Marshall responded to investigate the cause of the fire and Suffolk County FRES Coordinators also responded. Ridge FD and Middle Island FD Paramedics as part of a combined department “CyanoKit Task Force” with WRFD, delivered the kits to the scene. Cyanokit (hydroxocobalamin) is a fast-acting intravenous antidote used to treat known or suspected cyanide poisoning, including smoke inhalation victims.
While still working at the fire, WRFD Command was notified of an additional fire alarm at 444 N Side Road. Sound Beach Fire Department and Manorville Volunteer Ambulance who was standing by at WRFD HQ responded and handled the additional alarm.
In total WRFD responded with 24 Volunteer members as well as the district paramedic.
One WRFD member was injured during the alarm, and all units were back in service at 9:50PM.
The Chiefs would like to thank the members for their response and a job well done. They would also like to thank you neighboring departments for their help and support.