On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at approximately 5:00am the North Babylon Vol. Fire Company was alerted to a high water rescue on the westbound Southern State Parkway. En route, units were advised by Babylon Central Fire Alarm dispatch they had multiple vehicles stuck in rising water between exits 38 and 39 with people trapped. Upon the arrival of engine 1-8-4 under the command of Lieutenant Tim Harrington he advised Babylon Central of approximately 30-50 vehicles stuck on the roadway with people still inside. Lieutenant Harrington set up command and began directing arriving units until 1st Assistant Chief Rob Cabano arrived on scene and assumed command. Chief Cabano after receiving a briefing from Lt. Harrington and sizing up the situation began mutual aiding numerous departments for assistance of ambulances and high water apparatus. The ambulances got sent to headquarters for staging until the high water trucks brought the motorists to fire headquarters for medical evaluation and shelter. Close to 50 people were taken from the parkway to the firehouse.

The North Babylon Vol. Fire Company headquarters was set up to be used as a comfort area for all the affected motorists at the height of the storm. The American Red Cross and members of the fire company gave them blankets and refreshments while waiting for the storm to pass. After a few hours when the water receded the motorists were taken back to there vehicles on the parkway by the fire company and the assistance of the Deer park Fire Department bus.

There were no injuries reported and all units were released at approximately 9:50 am.

At 12:00pm Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaefer held a press event. The County Executive addressed the severity of this unprecedented event and thanked all the members of not only North Babylon Fire Company but all the firefighters and first responders that saved lives this day. His attendance and recognition was appreciated and his leadership during times of disaster as well as Supervisor Schaefer's is always recognized by all.

At the alarm we were assisted by the following agencies:
Deer Park Fire Department/
Wyandanch Vol. Fire Company/
Wyandanch Wheatley Heights Ambulance Corp./
Amityville Fire Department/
West Babylon Fire Department/
Kings Park Fire Department/
Babylon Fire Department/
Dix Hills Fire Department/
North Lindenhurst Fire Department/
American Red Cross