Letters

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Hampton Bays Fire District, and the chiefs of the Hampton Bays Fire Department, have been made aware of recent reports and social media posts concerning the reported presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents being present on Hampton Bays Fire District property [“Federal Immigration Sweep in Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach Sparks Protests,” 27east.com, November 5]. The Board of Fire Commissioners wishes to respond on behalf of the district and the department.

Our top priority as a fire district and fire department is, and always will be, protecting and preserving the life and property of all residents of the Hampton Bays community. The fire district and the department are, and always have been, solely committed to serving the Hampton Bays community with transparency and respect for all Hampton Bays residents of any race, ethnic background or creed.

The Hampton Bays Fire District, like many municipal entities, permits public agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to use our parking lots, when necessary, such as for authorized law enforcement purposes, and so long as there is no interference with our emergency operations, which always take precedence for our community.

ICE is a federal agency. The Hampton Bays Fire District and the Hampton Bays Fire Department were not given any advance notice of operations pertaining to their jurisdiction. We did not request their presence, and we did not participate in their operations. The district and the department were not contacted by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency, or any other branch of government regarding the use of any parking lot at any of the district property last week.

The district and department are not law enforcement agencies. We are a fire rescue agency solely concerned with providing the very best response to all residents of Hampton Bays in need of same. The district, as well as the department, take no political stance with any government agency, including law enforcement agencies.

The department has 110 fully volunteer members. Our organization is proudly made up of a diverse group of men and women from our community. When our members are called to respond to an emergency, they do so with absolutely no bias toward the individuals involved.

Our mission is, and always has been, to serve all members of our community to the best of our ability and help keep them safe in times of trouble.

Richard Durand

Chairman

Board of Fire Commissioners

Hampton Bays Fire District