About the FIA

Fire Island Facts: Fire Island is a 32-mile long barrier Island off the south shore of Suffolk County that is home to 17 residential communities, and is contained within a national park (Fire Island National Seashore or FINS).  According to the 2010 census, there is a permanent population of 292 year-round residents, expanding to hundreds of thousands of seasonal residents and tourists during the summer months. What are the communities on Fire Island? Atlantique, Cherry Grove, Corneille Estates, Davis Park, Dunewood, Fair Harbor, Fire Island Pines, Kismet, Lonelyville, Ocean Bay Park, Ocean Beach, Point O’Woods, Robbins Rest, Saltaire, Seaview, Summer Club, Water Island. What is the Fire Island Association?  The Fire Island Association is a coalition of these 17 communities that was established over 60 years ago to protect the Island and to promote the best interests of all Island homeowners, business owners, and visitors. Why was the FIA organized? Fire Island has always been a “paradise” for its residents and visitors. Over the years, its 17 disparate communities have collectively demonstrated a passionate determination for protecting the fragile barrier beach environment and preserving the island’s unique life-style. In the late 1950’s when the island was threatened with increased levels of development, residents from several communities formed a coalition and raised the funds to purchase the Sunken Forest. Then again in 1962, when the island faced a new threat of a four lane highway running through all communities, the early FIA organization worked together with many other groups to galvanize support in Congress to create the Fire Island National Seashore and thus prevent the construction of “the (Robert) Moses road.” What is the current mission of the FIA? Shore Management: FIA is actively involved in ongoing erosion control efforts and repair ( when necessary) of storm damaged beaches. We also have our eye on the ‘big picture’ as we work with the Fire Island National Seashore ( FINS) and various other regulatory agencies to plan a sustainable long-term shore management program. … see: FIMI & FIMP Advocacy: A united voice is imperative when Island issues are discussed and decided in Washington, Albany, Suffolk County, and the Towns of Islip and Brookhaven. The FIA speaks on behalf of all Islanders to protect their interests. Partnership with the Fire Island National Seashore: FIA and FINS share a  belief that moving forward constructively in a collaborative manner on a shared management vision will enhance Fire Island’s status as one of the world’s great parks and most desirable places to live in or visit.  To that end, we are working collaboratively with NPS to craft, implement and monitor a new General Management Plan for the Park that all parties can support. Some of the principles informing the FIA approach to Island management and stewardship include:

• Collaboration: FIA has always believed there should be a close working relationship between the NPS, FIA, NYS, the Towns and Villages and other relevant agencies and government entities with jurisdiction in and around the Seashore so that all may operate together in the best interests of Fire Island.
• Finding the Balance: FIA fully concurs with the notion of managing Fire Island in a manner that preserves its natural, historical and scenic aspects, and embraces the island’s unique environmental  and cultural landscapes.  All Fire Islanders support the current FINS management objectives to foster a balanced relationship between people, including community residents and visitors, and the natural environment.
• Responsible Development: FIA believes that any development on the island should be undertaken in a manner designed to retain the island’s unique character. Each community should take full responsibility for internally ensuring that preserving and protecting the island’s ecological and historic landscape is considered a priority.
• Road-less Island: We strongly support  retaining the “road-less” character of Fire Island, and look forward to working with FINS to maintain and enhance this facet of the island’s character.
• Educational Resource: We endorse the continued and even expanded use of Fire Island to educate schoolchildren and interpret the natural history, ecology, and other relevant topics for other visitor groups. Fire Island National Seashore should be a key resource for regional place-based learning curricula.