East Meadow

Paul J. Kosiba

Chief of Department

On December 29, 1993, Paul Kosiba joined the ranks as a firefighter assigned to Engine Company # 4. A member of the Plainview Fire Department for 15 years having served as a Fire Company Captain and Rescue Lieutenant, his coming to the EMFD was met with excitement in having an experienced firefighter joining our ranks. It would be the start of a new volunteer career, but for the EMFD, the start of big things to come.

Demonstrating outstanding enthusiasm for his new company, Paul, quickly became a rising star in his company. With all his knowledge and dedication, Paul was elected to the position of 2nd Lieutenant in April of 2004. He would continue his ascend of leadership becoming 1st Lieutenant in 2005, and on to Captain of Engine 4 in 2006. In his years in Engine 4, Paul was also elected for terms of administrative offices of Recording and Corresponding Secretary as well. Having come to our Department with an EMS background, it was no surprise that Paul would continue his EMS skills maintaining an EMT-CC certification, responding on Engine 4 ambulance 6144, and East Meadow’s elite 6199 Advanced life Support Response Squad. In 2016, Paul was elected to the position of 1st Lieutenant, leading to his election to Captain once more in 2017. Paul, a modest man with an arms length of career achievement, Paul recently retired as a teacher of 33 years with the Port Washington School District having been in the Technology Education field with time in special education.

His Military career boasts of 29 years, having served in the United States Coast Guard during the attacks of September 11th, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, deep Water Horizon, and his latest assignment as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer to FEMA.

Married to his lifelong friend and wife, Patti, they have two daughters Kelly and Caroline, all of whom are teachers.

With bigger aspirations on his horizon, Paul’s world of expertise, all of which are the pieces of an effective commander, has afforded him the tools to lead our great organization. In April of 2018, Paul was elected 3rd Asst Chief. Please join us in welcoming our newest 3rd Asst Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department.

With bigger aspirations on his horizon, Paul’s world of expertise, all of which are the pieces of an effective commander, had afforded him the tools to lead our great organization.

In April of 2018, Paul was elected 3rd Asst Chief. In the years that followed, Paul would move up in ranks to 2nd Asst Chief in 2019, and 1st Asst Chief in 2020. A time when the skills of his leadership and the training he possesses would effectively protect the health and safety of our community and responders alike in the midst of a Pandemic.

Meet Our Chiefs:

Michael J. Wood

In 1995, a young man named Michael Wood joined the East Meadow Junior Fire Company. He was 14. As the years passed, Mike absorbed as much knowledge about firefighting as he possibly could.

Learn More »

Michael J. Wood

In 1995, a young man named Michael Wood joined the East Meadow Junior Fire Company. He was 14. As the years passed, Mike absorbed as much knowledge about firefighting as he possibly could.

Learn More »