TOWN SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AIDS IN FIRE RESPONSE • Southampton, NY
TOWN SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AIDS IN FIRE RESPONSE Town of Southampton, NY November 9, 2026 — Equipment purchased by the Town of Southampton was successfully deployed on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at a commercial structure fire in Hampton Bays.
In response to post-COVID population increases, growing traffic, increased demands placed on the volunteer fire service, and the current weight restrictions on the Ponquogue Bridge, the Town of Southampton Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management purchased and deployed eight (8) Stat-X First Responder fire suppression devices. These devices are small, smoke-grenade-style, fire suppression devices that are intended to be used in the early stages of a fire’s growth, or to reduce the risks of a dangerous flashover. The devices can be thrown into the room/structure that is currently on fire and they will work to suppress the fire and thereby buy time for fire department response while reducing the intensity and spread of the fire.
On Thursday afternoon, November 5, 2026, Chief Don Downs of the Hampton Bays fire Department arrived on scene at a working structure fire in Hampton Bays. Knowing that his engine was still a few minutes out and wanting to buy time for the engine to arrive and hook up to the hydrant, Downs made the decision to deploy the new Stat-X device. “I knew we had at least a few more minutes before the engine would arrive and begin operations, With the risk of further extension and the speed at which fires can grow, I made the decision to deploy the device the Town provided us. We immediately saw the smoke change in color and upon entering, crews still found a very hot environment, but minimal fire load compared to likely what would have happened had we not utilized the device,” Downs said.
Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator Ryan Murphy said, “We purchased these devices and put them into Fire Marshal vehicles so that they were throughout the community in the event our fire marshals observed a structure fire starting in its early stages. When Hampton Bays FD was faced with the challenges of the reduced access on the Ponquogue Bridge, we deployed two of them to their chiefs as a means to buy time when trucks have to go around to get to the beach. Although I wish the need did not arise, I am thrilled that this equipment was able to assist the fire department in their response,” “With this success, we will look to expand the availability of these devices throughout the Town,” Murphy said.
Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara, who is liaison to Public Safety and the Fire Service applauded this effort and partnership. “I am thankful that our Public Safety Director and our fire departments have such a strong relationship and are willing to think outside the box in ways that protect our residents and strengthen our emergency response capabilities.”
