JAMES WALSH of Hook & Ladder Co 1 Accepts Highest Chief Honors
Yet another election year for the officers and members of the East Meadow Fire Department has passed as Chiefs and company officers continue their plans on what they will accomplish to make their mark in the history of our organization.
In a fitting tribute to the past and future of the East Meadow Fire Department, officers and members, alike gathered for the annual “Swearing In” ceremonies held on April 6th at 1pm.
On this date, the department would say thank you to Chief of Department Philip Fertitta, and welcome new Chief James Walsh to the highest of department ranks.
No strangers to the leadership of the East Meadow Fire Department, outgoing Chief Fertitta and incoming Chief Walsh, both either have or will be finishing two terms of office totaling eight years each. All at a time when they were needed the most through a pandemic that required so many organizational changes.
The ceremony, eloquently led by Commissioner John J. Priest, Chairman of the Board, is a tradition within the organization for as long as those can remember.
Commissioner Priest began to events leading to our new leadership as he administered the Oath of Office to his long time friend James Walsh with his children James and Relly at his side. Next on the agenda Commissioner Keith Hoffman swore in our new 1st Asst Chief Michael J. Wood.
Next Commissioner Carey Welt took the honor to swear in our new 2nd Asst Chief Kurt W. Becker.
Rounding out our Chief Office leaders, Commissioner William J. Neill administered the Oath of Office to our new 3rd Asst Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal.
This moment in time represented a new beginning of outstanding community service given each year by the Department.
With Chief Walsh and his Assistant Chiefs now officially in place, the time came for him to administer the Oath of Office to the core of East Meadow’s bravest. One by one company Lieutenants and staff officers were called to line up where the entire group was to be sworn in.
The next group called upon were the Captains of all seven companies as well as the Squad Captains of the 55 (Safety Officers) and 99 (Advanced Life Support) squads.
The Chief also offered the Oath of Office to his administrative staff, Ladies Auxiliary, and the Junior Fire Company.
Please join us as we congratulate our 2024-2025 Officers of the East Meadow Fire Department. All the very best for a safe and successful year.
DEPARTMENT OFFICERS
2024-2025
JAMES WALSH
Chief of Department
MICHAEL J. WOOD
1ST Asst Chief
KURT W. BECKER
2nd Asst Chief
JEFFREY ROSENTHAL
3rd Asst Chief
Frank J. Ciaccio
Rec Secretary
Keith J. Hoffman
Corr Secretary
James J. Kane
Treasurer
David A. Paganini IV
Sgt at Arms
ENGINE COMPANY # 1
Captain Michael Mongello Jr
1st Lieutenant Omar M. Hamza 2nd Lieutenant Rana Igra
Recording Secretary John R. Malik Corresponding Secretary Vincent Nocella
Treasurer John J. Priest Sergeant at Arms Christopher Mongello
ENGINE COMPANY # 2
Captain Matthew F. Schneckenburger
1st Lieutenant Michael Moniello 2nd Lieutenant Jordan Surlin
Recording Secretary Howard Bartone Corresponding Secretary Andrew H. Gavilanes
Treasurer Michael Baumann Sergeant at Arms David A. Paganini IV
ENGINE COMPANY # 3
Captain James Aspenleiter Jr
1st Lieutenant Robert M. Schmidt 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth N. Panaro
Recording Secretary Rocky Ritter Corresponding Secretary Daniel J. Wood
Treasurer Ryan Schmidt Sergeant at Arms Craig Euler
ENGINE COMPANY # 4
Captain Brian M. Messina
1st Lieutenant Robert Morris 2nd Lieutenant Francisco Martinez
Recording Secretary Atik Mehta Corresponding Secretary Paul J. Kosiba
Treasurer Richard Cardozo Sr Sergeant at Arms Vincent P. Lombardo
HOOK & LADDER COMPANY # 1
Captain Daniel S. Corr
1st Lieutenant Joseph L. Krilov 2nd Lieutenant John M. McGee
Recording Secretary Richard Nunez Corresponding Secretary Vince Wiscovitch
Treasurer James Callahan
LADDER COMPANY # 2
Captain Vincent M. Finneran
1st Lieutenant Gil Lugo 2nd Lieutenant Kasey E. Cheswick
Recording Secretary Edward J. Brennan Corresponding Secretary Connor P. Cheswick
Treasurer Terence Reilly Sergeant at Arms Peter S. Cheswick
RESCUE COMPANY # 5
Captain Susanne Mongello
1st Lieutenant Samantha Mongello
Recording Secretary Mary Wolter Becker Corresponding Secretary David Gravely
Treasurer Patricia Magnus-Brown Sergeant at Arms Kelly Weeks
6155 SAFETY OFFICER SQUAD
Captain Keith J. Hoffman
6199 SQUAD EMS SQUAD
Captain Paul J. Kosiba
Lieutenant Francis A. Pollicino
