BAMSAR MINUTES
Minutes of the December meeting, held at Center Moriches. Thanks to Chief Paul Colon and his Assistants for their
hospitality.
Present: North Patchogue, Mastic Beach, Center Moriches, Coast Guard Group Moriches, Eastport, and Westhampton
Beach. Guests included representatives of the Boards of Fire Commissioners of the Center Moriches and East Moriches
Fire Districts, and the Chiefs of the Center Moriches and East Moriches Fire Departments.
Old Business: The majority of the old business centered around two calls made to the Center Moriches Fire Department,
from the Coast Guard Officer of the Day, regarding requests for the CMFD boat for shallow water rescue. The first
rescue was of a diabetic male, who had’t taken his medicine, nor eaten a meal in 5 hours. His vessel was trapped
in a hole, behind a sandbar, south of Gull Island, Moriches Inlet, inaccessible to the CG boat. The second was
of a male whose condition was not known, due to sudden loss of all communications, and loss of visual contact by
CG vessel. Subject was located in shallow water, Southeast of buoy 17, again inaccessible to the CG boat, which
was constrained by it’s draft. In both incidents, the CMFD boat responded and launched from CG Group property.
This necessitated informing the East Moriches chief, which was accomplished as soon as launch instructions were
received from the Group O.D. EMFD chief only responded to the second incident.
East Moriches concerns centered around the following:
1) Who do we respond as? BAMSAR? Center Moriches FD?
(Our answer- as CMFD, when activated by County. BAMSAR is an advocacy and training group.)
2) Who’s in charge from the Fire Departments? (Our answer-
CG is the IC, but we need to address this in the county plan. John to ask J. Trappen to include this in county
plan.)
3) Who’s liable? Would County or District in which incident occurs, be
liable? (Our answer- County water rescue plan will address most of this, but to make sure, a scenario letter will
be sent to the NYS Attorney General for an opinion, and Bill Biondi will talk to his District’s attorney, as well.)
East Moriches suggested that BAMSAR be indemnified- this will be included in letter to the A.G. as well. As for
now, Group wants county to activate nearest available first, then activate the chief of the District in which the
incident is taking place. This is to guarantee that the response to the life safety concerns is first priority.
A transcript of this discussion should be ready soon. (Secretary’s apologies that there may be some paraphrased
parts, as the tape recorder did not pick up some parts of the conversation.)
New Business:
John checked into the availability of the BNL pool. We will need a formal request, on BAMSAR or Department letterhead,
with the dates, and approximate number of personnel attending. A small fee will be assessed for the lifeguard services.
Available pool times are as follows: Weeknights: 2030-2230; Weekends: 0900-1200. John will also need a sign-in
sheet for any member attending, so he can get proper visitor clearances. The list must
include: Member’s full name, Social Security number, and full address. Once a member is on this list, another member
may not take his place, without prior (72 hours) notice. This list must be turned in to BNL Police at least one
week prior to the expected date of the pool session. (Please note that these restrictions only come as a result
of the events of 11 September, and John regrets the inconvenience.)
County recognizes us as a training, resource, and advocacy group, much like a council would be. We’re not recognized
as a “plan”, nor do we want to be. We would much like the “stigma” that has been attached to us (that we’re going
to take over a scene) be erased. To this end, we have a representative to Southampton Chiefs and will soon have
a formal representative to the Brookhaven Chiefs. (Jack Blaum advises that Brookhaven’s meeting day is the third
Friday of the month, and Paul Massey advises that the Southampton Chiefs meet the third Thursday of the month.)
Todd talked to Dave Fischler about area liaisons for water rescue. He indicated Dave was in agreement.
John to contact the C.O.s of both Station Shinnecock, and SCPD Marine Division, to inquire about joint training
in the area of diver deployment from helos.
March/ April timeframe: Show-and-tell at the Group, in East Moriches. Date is T.B.D.
CALENDAR 2002
Please let the Secretary know if you cannot take your assigned month.
January 10 Mastic Beach
February 14 Brookhaven
March 14 North Patchogue
April 11 Center Moriches
May 09 Westhampton Beach
June 13 Bellport
July 11 South Country Ambulance
August 08 Patchogue
September 12 Eastport
October 10 Bayport
November 14 Mastic
December 12 Center Moriches
Next meeting is on 10 January, at Mastic Beach, at 1930. This is our annual organizational meeting, with voting
for officers.
The BAMSAR Officers and Board Members wish all a very Happy and Joyous Holiday Season, and a Happy New Year.
Anyone having any corrections/comments/additions, please contact the Secretary at 878-9217(H), or e-mail: o_foghladha@yahoo.com
. John Foley