St. James FD-Four youths rescued from St. James Harbor

February 1, 1970 Four cold and frightened youths were rescued from an icy marsh in St. James Harbor. Suffolk police, the Nissequogue Police and the St. James FD were dispatched at approximately 1800 hours to the area between Long Beach and Little Africa. Crews setup portable lights on the beach. Ex Chief Edward Dusek and Suffolk Police Officer John Richards carefully worked their way out to the youths using oars and a six foot fiberglass pram. Fighthing the ice and a quickly rising tide, the two took 1 youth back first then decided to try and take the other three back at once. Once back on shore, they were transported to the hospital via St. James FD ambulance and treated for exposure. This was the 3rd water rescue for Chief Dusek. 3 years prior, he rescued three people from the Nissequogue River after their canoe overturned and last year, he rescued a dog from drowning in the river.