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BROOKHAVEN, NY - On April 30, 2005, The Brookhaven Technical Rescue Team, along with employees of the Suffolk County Water Authority conducted a water tower rescue training drill. At the Centereach Water Tower at Eastwood Boulevard and Hawkins Road in Centereach LI. Members of the Centereach, Setauket, and Ronkonkoma Fire Departments with the Port Jefferson Volunteer Ambulance Co. were at the drill.

The Centereach Water Tower was the site of an accident 24 years ago on April 23, 1981. When 3 workers doing repairs on the 150 ft. tall structure, were overcome by toxic fumes fell inside and were trapped for several hours. The fumes which covered several blocks delayed the rescue. One man lost his life from the fall two were rescued only to lose another the day after. Six fireman were also sent to the Hospital that day.

The Brookhaven Technical Rescue Team includes members of The Centereach, Setauket, Port Jefferson, Mt. Sinai, Selden, Ronkonkoma and Hagerman Fire Departments with the Port Jefferson Volunteer Ambulance Co. and S.U.N.Y Stony Brook Public Safety. Joseph Dibernardo is Team Leader and Gary Kreidler Team Liaison. The team trains monthly to keep compliant with NFPA Standards for Technical Rescue.

On the same day other team members of the Hagerman, Selden and Port Jefferson Fire Departments were doing a Trench Rescue drill at the Hagerman Fire Department.