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Fire Island Pines Fire Department (est. 1959)
Fire is one of the greatest risks facing Fire Island Pines. With its remote location, closely spaced wooden homes and boardwalks, and dense stands of bamboo and other flammable vegetation, once ignited, a fire can spread with alarming speed. Since 1959, the volunteers of the Fire Island Pines Fire Department have stood as the community’s first and most critical line of defense.
They respond at the worst moments, often under dangerous and unpredictable conditions, performing work for which they are not paid but for which they carry immense responsibility. Operating within a system of mutual aid alongside neighboring communities, they have repeatedly contained fires that might otherwise have devastated large portions of the Pines.
It is no exaggeration to say that their vigilance, professionalism, and courage have helped ensure the survival of the community itself. Without them, the Fire Island Pines as we know it today might not exist.
Pines Profile - James G. Pepper (b.1944)
Jim Pepper is the embodiment of philanthropy. Gifted with the mind of a generation, a strong moral compass and a bias for action, for over six decades he has done things that have improved the lives of millions of people. His abilities enabled him to be very successful both professionally and in his extensive philanthropic efforts, all the while remaining humble and avoiding the spotlight unless absolutely necessary. Simply put, Jim did what he did because it needed to be done and not for attention or glory, which he actively avoids. It is these precise characteristics that make him appealing, widely respected and loved. His is a life that has indelibly touched the so many others for the better.