The Syosset Fire District recently hosted a series of public information sessions to discuss plans to replace Station No. 2, which has been serving Woodbury for over 50 years. These meetings gave the fire district a chance to explain the plans to build a new fire station on the current site while gathering valuable feedback from residents of the fire district - particularly members of the Woodbury community.

The sessions were held at the Syosset Volunteer Fire Department (SFD) headquarters on Cold Spring Road. Representatives of the board of fire commissioners, the district office and the chief's office attended each of the sessions. On display were architectural renderings of the new firehouse that included all exterior views and proposed floor plans for inside the station. Architect Martin Sendlewski was on hand at each of the sessions to answer questions and to gather feedback on the designs.

Residents were also provided with background information on the SFD and the Woodbury Fire Co., which is quartered at Station No. 2. Visitors were also provided with key facts on the current Station No. 2 and why a decision was made to replace the 50 year old building rather than renovate it.

"Our goal was to provide the community with an opportunity to both get information and to ask questions about this project," said Commissioner Giovanni Gracefa, chairman of the district's building and grounds committee. "We felt that these meetings were a success and accomplished both of these goals. We received important feedback from members of the Woodbury community - especially the residents who are our closest neighbors at Station No. 2. On behalf of the entire board of fire commissioners and the district staff, I'd like to thank these residents for their time and their input. We look forward to working closely with them as this project progresses."

The Syosset Fire District is responsible for overseeing the provision of fire suppression, prevention, and inspection services and emergency medical services in Syosset, Woodbury and portions of several surrounding communities. The District was established on September 7, 1927 by a resolution of the Nassau County Board of Supervisors and held its first meeting on November 11, 1927. The Syosset Fire District's 17 square mile response area is the largest in Nassau County and includes a diverse mix of both residential and commercial structures, 19 school facilities, 16 houses of worship, four nursing homes and a hospital. Approximately 25,000 people reside in the Syosset Fire District and it is estimated that a third of a million additional people cross through the district each day via the Long Island Expressway, Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway, the Northern State Parkway, Jericho Turnpike and the Long Island Rail Road.