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The early years of the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department were a story of
exceptional examples of volunteers responding to meet a community need! The absence of fire protection and the geographic
isolation in a developing area after World War II brought out individuals who sought solutions to a community situation. The
thought of living in a community without fire protection is unthinkable in the 21st century. As Eaton’s Neck
developed from a wooed. Largely uninhabited area into a community of approximately 500 families in the 1990s the fire department
has developed and evolved to provide both fore protection service and medical emergency service. From the beginning fifty years ago until
today the central force of the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department has been “The Volunteer!” The first and most
widely known Eaton’s Neck Fire Department volunteer was Charles Shoreys. He has been followed by the Volunteer efforts
of numerous residents over the past five decades who have contributed to the safety and security of the community in many
ways, both large and small. Each of the former department chiefs have committed themselves to a intense period of six years
in leadership positions of increasing demands on their families and personal time. Since September 11, 2001, the responsibilities
of the fire department have become more complex with directives coming from the state and national government. Prior to the end of World War II, Eaton’s Neck consisted primarily of
large open estates and many disposable summer campsites near the water especially near Price’s Bend. All this property
was not covered under any of the existing fire districts within the Town of Huntington, Making Eaton’s Neck the only
unprotected fire area in the township. As a result, fire protection was provided by the New York State Conservation Department.
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On June 3, 1957, the Eaton’s
Neck Fire Company was officially incorporated. Charles Shoreys, a former member of the New York City Fire Auxiliary Corps
was named President and Chief. The company had 17 active members and two Associate members. An agreement with the Coast Guard
permitted Coast Guard personnel to be called upon for assistance. These early for fighters trained at fire school in Eats
Northport and held practice sessions once a week at various locations in the Eaton’s Neck community. The Company treasury
consisted of $88. After expenditures of $53 for mailed request for contributions, repairs, equipment and gasoline for the
truck there was a balance of $35. With
extensive fund-raising and a significant contribution by Mr. Henry S. Morgan, Money was raised to buy the land on which the
firehouse now stands. The corner stone was laid on November 29, 1959. The firehouse was expanded in 1965 when it was determined
that more room was needed. As the
years have passed, and the role of the fire department has taken on responsibility for Hazardous Materials, increased responsibility
during the natural disasters such as snow storms, Nor’easters, hurricanes, care of the medically needy, transportation
to hospitals and fire prevention the members and the officers spend increasing amounts of time attending training regarding
all these aspects. An increasing amount of time is also spent practicing to meet these contingencies.
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