This morning, our community experienced a devastating car accident. Hatzalah responded immediately, but tragically, they were unable to extricate a patient in cardiac arrest for over 10 minutes due to the absence of a responding fire truck. In another recent incident, homes came dangerously close to being lost as it took approximately 12 minutes for the Hewlett Fire Department to arrive.

This is not an isolated issue. On April 24, 2025, a house fire broke out in our neighborhood. The homeowner called 911 at 7:43 PM—yet the first fire truck did not arrive until 7:58 PM. A 15-minute delay during an active house fire is not just concerning—it is the difference between containment and total devastation.

When a fire alarm sounds in our neighborhood, the wait for help feels endless. I have experienced this firsthand—each second stretching into what feels like an eternity as danger escalates, threatening not only one home, but entire blocks. This fear is shared by many in our community.

The underlying issue is clear: our fire district boundaries are outdated. They were established when the population was significantly smaller and no longer reflect the reality of our rapidly growing community. As our community has expanded and more families have moved in, demand for emergency services has increased—yet the system has not evolved accordingly. The result is longer travel distances, inefficient coverage, and dangerous delays in response times.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, every minute in an emergency is critical. Response times exceeding five minutes can dramatically increase the risk of injury, loss of life, and property damage. Unfortunately, our community is experiencing response times well beyond this standard.

It is time for action. We must reevaluate and redraw fire district boundaries to reflect current population density and geographic needs.

This is not simply an infrastructure issue—it is about protecting our families, our neighbors, and our future. We urge our local leaders to act now and ensure that our emergency response system is capable of serving our community effectively.

Please join us in calling for change. Sign the petition and help ensure that no one in our community is left waiting in a moment of crisis. Together, we can make our neighborhood safer for everyone.

Additionally, we encourage all residents to voice their concerns by calling 516-374-9801 and consistently reporting these issues. Community action is critical to driving change.