Hempstead Turnpike [8-23-11]

Nassau County Police shut down Hempstead Turnpike in both directions and the East Meadow Fire Department responded to Nassau University Medical Center on the morning of August 23rd for a leaking liquid oxygen tank adjacent to the main hospital building. The tank which was undergoing repair when a valve was broken off has a capacity off eleven-thousand gallons; however, nowhere near that amount was leaked out. East Meadow was originally dispatched to the call around 10:15 hours, and during that time period the hospital was on diversion for a short time. East Meadow Command along with the Nassau County Fire Marshal ensured that the leak was stopped in a short period of time and that no one in the hospital or on the fireground was at risk. Westbury Truck 962 was called to the scene as the FAST Team. Also on scene were East Meadow Engines 612 and 614, East Meadow Heavy Rescue 616, and Ladders 617 and 619. Nassau County ESU 2423 was also called to the scene to assist.