Firefighters staying overnight in Nassau, Fire Marshal says
Nassau County Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said many of the 70 volunteer fire departments across the county will require some firefighters to stay overnight into Monday so they can quickly respond to fires, downed trees or power lines and stranded residents
Uttaro urged people to only call 911 for serious emergencies and to follow the travel ban — which begins in Nassau and Suffolk at 9 p.m. and continues until 9 a.m. on Monday. He said motorists venturing out on roadways risk becoming stranded, hampering firefighters' rescue efforts and ability to respond to potential fires.
"You going out on the road only amplifies the problem," Uttaro said.
Residents can help by making sure their house numbers remain visible in the snow and by clearing a three-foot circumference around fire hydrants so they are accessible.
Earlier this month, a spate of seven fires broke out in a 13-hour period in Nassau County, which authorities said were associated with heating as well as unattended cooking, candles and smoking.
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