Community Corner
Vigilant Fire Company Dedicates Ambulance to Honorary Chief Kenneth Bleck
Great Neck Community Honors Kenneth Bleck
The Great Neck Vigilant Engine and Hook & Ladder Co., Inc. (Vigilant Fire Company) recently dedicated its new ambulance to Honorary Chief Kenneth Bleck. Bleck, a 24-year veteran of the Company, passed away on September 15, 2016 after a long battle with cancer linked to his service during and after September 11, 2001.
“It is a true honor to dedicate Vigilant’s new ambulance to my friend and a selfless first responder of the Great Neck community,” said Vigilant Fire Company Chief Josh Forst. “A father figure to many at the Company, he exemplified the leadership, guidance and moral strength we look to instill in our new members. All Kenny wanted to do was help the community and respond to neighbors in need. That will be his legacy: someone who was a true Vigilant.”
Members of the Vigilant Fire Company were joined by Kenneth’s wife Linda, their two children, Jamie and Carrie, Village of Great Neck Mayor Jean Celender, Village of Great Neck Estates Mayor Billy Warner, Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Lee Seeman, Nassau County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum and community members—all in attendance to honor Bleck’s life and service.
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Following a speech by Chief Forst, Linda Bleck and Board Chairman David Weiss unveiled the plaque on the side of the ambulance, memorializing Bleck’s exemplary service of over two decades. As per tradition in christening a new emergency response vehicle, Ms. Bleck broke a champagne bottle over the bumper. The state-of-the-art vehicle is now the third Vigilant ambulance servicing the Great Neck peninsula, alongside two other vehicles dedicated solely to emergency medical response.
In addition, the ceremony served as an opportunity to unveil Kenneth Bleck’s name on the Park’s line of duty memorial wall, recognizing his heroic service on September 11 and the weeks following during the rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts. Bleck is only the second Vigilant member remembered on the wall, following the Park’s namesake Jonathan L. Ilepi.
