Bethpage-Tribune_2010-05-28

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Skating Rink Evacuatec.
3ue to Ammonia Fumes
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On Tuesday evening May 25, 2010 at 10 pm, the Bethpage Fire
Department dispatcher received an automatic alarm from the Town of
Oyster Bay ice skating facility on Stewart Ave at Cherry Ave, Bethpage.
There were approximately 35 persons playing on the ice. They heard
an audible alarm and noticed the ice starting to melt. Several persons
started to be overcome by fumes. These fumes were later determined to
be anhydrous ammonia which is used as a refrfgerant. Anhydrous
ammonia is also toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. The
Bethpage Firefighters immediately evacuated all the occupants of this
building. Of the 35 persons affected by the fiimes, six were transported
to area hospitals. All patients had to be decontaminated on the scene
prior to ambulance transport. Decon teams from Bethpage, Levittown
and Franklin Square arrived and accomplished this task. Hazardous
materials teams from Hicksville and Wantagh fire departments entered
'and shut down the source of the leak with the aid of the Town of Oyster
Bay (TOB) engineer. The Nassau County police emergency ambulance
bureau, emergency service unit and eighth precinct officers were also
active in this incident. The Nassau County fire marshals haz mat unit
was also operating on site. A staging area was set up for ambulances,
patient care and decontamination teams. There were several public offi-cials
present including Nassau County executive Edward Mangano and
TOB supervisor John Venditto.
Mutual aid was provided to Bethpage from twelve volunteer fire
departments : Hicksville, Plainview, Wantagh, Levittown, North
Massapequa, Jericho, Massapequa, Melville, Syosset, East Farmingdale,
South Farmingdale and Franklin Square -Munson. Approximately 150
firefighters and emergency responders assisted in this incident. The
Bethpage FD Ladies Auxiliary provided refreshments on site. Bethpage
fire chief Dale Schultz thanked all the responding agencies for their help.
The scene was not secured until after 2 am Wednesday morning. There
were no injuries to emergency responders. The haz mat team members
were all cleaned and decontaminated on the scene prior to going home.
The cause of this leak is under investigation.
DO THE MATH AND SAVE LIVES
Bethpage Students Raise Money for St. Jude's Research Hospital
Five Centra} Boulevard Elementary School teachers and four students were rec-ognized
for having collected the highest number of donations during the
school's annual participation in the Stjude's Children's Hospital Math-A-Thon:
pictured, [back, l-r) Math-A-Thon advisor Ms. Deborah Deasy, kindergarten
assistant teacher Ms. Erin Austin, instrumental music teacher Ms. Jessica Hall,
Ms. Barbara Hall, Ms. Stephanie Ambrosino; (front, 1-rJ students Alexia Tsakiris,
Shanaz Been, Kate Schneider, and David York. Ms. Susan Corcoran not
pi.ctured
Solving math problems helped students in grades K-5 at Central Boulevard
Elementary School (CBS) in the Bethpage School District save lives by raising a
total of $10,585.75 for cancer research during the school's participation in the
annual St. Jude's Children's Hospital Math-A-Thon.
"These students are heroes," stated Math-A-Thon advisor Deborah Deasy, as
she described the students' willingness to raise money for this cause. "This
money has been proudly sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital."
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is the largest childhood cancer research
center in the world in terms of patients who have enrolled in research protocols
and who have been successfully treated. Since opening its doors in 1962, no
child has ever been denied treatment because of inability to pay. The volunteer
Math-A-Thon Fundraising program, open to students in grades K-8 in all schools
across the country, is one way in which children and their sponsors can help sub-sidize
St. Jude's research program.
During the two-week Math-A-Thon, the CBS students obtained sponsors,
completed their Funbook by solving a variety of math problems, and collected
donations. The Math-A-Thon improves math and comprehension skills through
age-appropriate problem-solving, and helps students gain an understanding of
the importance of helping others.
Four CBS students were recognized for collecting the most donations. They
are fifth grader Alexia Tsakiris ($902), fifth grader Shanaz Deen fourth
grader Kate Schneider ($255), and first grader David York ($255).
PICTURE PERFECT PET WINNER
ANNOUNCED ON PAGE C