The Great Burger Cook-Off

Local fire departments shared their secrets to making a great burger in Garden City Wednesday at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center Best Firehouse Burger Cook-Off.

In the end, Wantagh's "6th Battalion Fat Guy Burger" edged out Syosset's "BBQ-Gonzola Burger." But the competition between the Syosset, Wantagh, Bethpage and Mineola volunteer departments was friendly and essentially just the backdrop to the day's main theme: grilling safety. 

As the July 4 holiday approaches, firefighters know better than anyone how a good time can turn tragic when the proper precautions aren't taken.  

"We want to teach people to remember to turn off the tanks when they're done," said Angelo Catalano, president of the museum's board of directors. "Make sure there are no leaks, and before you start it make sure it's clean. That's the message we're trying to get out here."   

According to the museum, from 2003-06 U.S. firefighters responded to an average of 7,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis and barbecues. An average of 10 people a year lost their lives.

Stop & Shop district director Robert Hempson hopes that number stays at zero on Long Island this coming holiday weekend. That's why his company was happy to provide the food for the event.

"The volunteer firefighters on Long Island are heroes," Hempson said. "They protect our families and communities, and they do it because they have community spirit. When Stop & Shop was given an opportunity to be involved, we were very happy to do it." 

Nassau County executive Ed Mangano and Anton Newspapers publisher Angela Anton joined Catalano and Hempson as judges. Museum director Alana Petrocelli hopes more special events like Wednesday's will expose residents to the facility's entertaining daily offerings–including interactive displays–while continuing to push the main message of safety.

"We know everybody's ready to kick off their Fourth of July weekend," Petrocelli said. "We just want them to get their grills ready and do it the right way."