FD Rant News Special Edition LODD Ex-Chief Joseph Sanford

INWOOD LODDFirefighters From Across Long IslandMourn the Loss of Ex-Chief Joseph Sanford

The #1 Publication for the Long Island Fire ServiceFD Rant NewsSpecial Edition

FD Rants News - Volume 4 Edition 1 - January 2015

Sadness. It is the only word that I can use to describe the events that have taken place since our last publication. During a time of year when most people are celebrating joy and happiness, the Long Island Fire Service was struck with the news that all of us dread to hear. A man, a firefighter, an Ex-Assistant Chief, was critically injured in a fire in Woodmere on December 19th. Inwood Fire Department Past Assistant Chief Joseph “Junior” Sanford was on a mutual aid assignment in Woodmere when he became trapped in the basement of a private residential structure fire. Chief Sanford was removed from the basement in cardiac arrest before he was resuscitated by EMS crews

on scene and transported to St. Johns Hospital in Far Rockaway where he was stabilized and then transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. For the next several days he battled to survive as he lay in the Intensive Care Unit with a ventilator helping him to breathe. He was removed from life support on December 23rd. Sadly, Chief Sanford succumbed to his injuries.

It was the next day, on Christmas Eve, that we saw what the meaning of the word Brotherhood is all about. With very little notice and without hesitation, the members of the Long Island Fire Service mobilized its manpower and its resources and showed their collective respect for one of their own who had made the Supreme Sacrifice. Over 100 fire departments mobilized to participate in a

procession to transport Chief Sanford’s body from Manhasset to the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office in East Meadow. There was a sea of arches flying giant American flags along the route as the Inwood Fire Department Ambulance proceeded along the route. Nothing, not the foul weather, nor the holiday, kept the men and women of the Long Island Fire Service from paying their respects to a man who had served his fire department and his community faithfully for over 17 years.

As the procession proceeded down Hempstead Turnpike, members of the fire service stood at attention and saluted as Chief Sandford passed them by, most of the people never having met the man, but showing their respect for the sacrifice that he made. Likewise, that same respect was evident when thousands of members; both in uniform and not, converged on the small town of Inwood on December 30th, for the firematic services and again on New Year’s Eve at the Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale.

Anyone who has never put on a uniform may never understand the bond that exists among members of the fire service. It would be foolish to expect them to. To those of us who continue to wear the uniform, continue to be vigilant and remember one of the most simple, yet powerful messages that we all have learned throughout the years……Everyone Goes Home.

All of us here at FD Rant News offer our sincerest condolences to Chief Sanford’s family, and friends. We also offer condolences to the members of the Inwood Fire Department and all departments and members that operated at the ill-fated fire. Rest in peace Chief. We dedicate this month’s edition in your memory.As always, we would like to hear back from you. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at: [email protected] or call us at 516-852-4965.

Ex-Chief Jeff DiLavorePublisher

The #1 Publication for the Long Island Fire ServiceFD Rant NewsSpecial Edition


INWOOD LODDEx Chief Joseph Sanford

Procession from NSLIJ to NUMC For Past Assistant Chief Joseph Sanford | PHOTO BY Uniondale Ex-Chief Rodriguez

The weather on Christmas Eve was bleak and dismal with high winds and heavy rain in our area but that did not stop the Long Island Fire Service from paying their respects to Past Assistant Chief Joseph Sanford of the Inwood Fire Department who succumbed to injuries he sustained while fighting a house fire in Woodmere on December 20th. Apparatus from across Nassau and Suffolk Counties took part in a procession from North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset to the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office in East Meadow on December 24th. With hundreds of firefighters donning turnout gear, and numerous flag arches in place along the route, the Long island Fire Service once again showed the the true essence of the word Brotherhood.

Story and Photos (Right) By Paul Krussmann - LNBN

Inwood Fire Department ambulance brings Ex-Chief Sanford to NUMC on Christmas Eve.

Multiple flag arches on Hempstead Turnpike.


County Service for Chief Joseph Sanford

Long Beach Ladder 2372 and Inwood Ladder 313 with a flag arch at County services. | PHOTO BY Jeff DiLavore - FDRN

Inwood Engine 311 outside the church as members enter to pay their respects. | PHOTO BY Jeff DiLavore - FDRN


An estimated 5000 members of the fire service from Nassau, Suffolk and numerous surrounding areas attended service for Ex-Chief Sanford | PHOTO BY Jeff DiLavore - FDRN


Roslyn Highlands Ladder 594 and East Farmingdale Ladder 1-5-5 on Grennwich Street in HempsteadPHOTO BY Jeff DiLavore - FDRN


A few of the estimated 30 funeral arches along the procession route to honor Ex-Chief Sanford | PHOTO BY Jeff DiLavore - FDRN

Funeral Services for Chief Joseph Sanford

Members of the Nassau County PD lead the funeral procession. | PHOTO BY Jeff DiLavore - FDRN


The Caisson [designated Engine 311] carrying Ex-Chief Sanford to his final resting place. | PHOTO BY Kevin Madigan

Members of the Nassau County Pipes and Drums during the funeral procession . | PHOTO BY Kevin Madigan


Uniformed Members of the Fire Department and NYPD Line the Street During the Funeral ProcessionPHOTO BY Kevin Madigan - K2M Photography


Inwood Engine 311 Carries the Floral Arrangements During the Funeral ProcessionPHOTOS BY Kevin Madigan


Flag Arches Along the Funeral Procession Route in Hempstead

PHOTO BY Jeff DiLavore - FDRN

FD Rant News Special Edition LODD Ex-Chief Joseph Sanford

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