On June 21, 1993, a young man named Peter Cheswick joined the ranks of Ladder Company # 2, becoming their newest firefighter.
A product of EMFD’s Junior Fire Company years earlier at the age of 15, Pete soon demonstrated the skills he acquired accelerating him into the seasoned firefighter he would soon turn out to be.
In 1997, his enthusiasm for his company would prompt him to seek the position of Corresponding Secretary of the company. A position his would accept again in 1999.
But his aspirations took him further, as in 2000 Pete would seek his first role of leadership being elected to 2nd Lieutenant in 2000.
It was in 2000, that Pete and his crew were be suddenly tested while returning to the fire station in Ladder 619 after a kitchen fire at a restaurant. Returning eastbound on Hempstead Tpke, a westbound car suddenly veered of the road, violently snapping a utility pole. As power lines fell across the road. Dropping wires snagged ladder 619 snapping a pole on the opposite side of the road and lighting up the night with powerful electrical arcs.
It was this crew who reached a women lying in the street just feet from an arcing 13,200 volt power line moving her to safety. For their actions in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Cheswick and his crew were awarded a Unit Citation of heroism, for quickly turning the chaos into a safe scene for firefighters to triage and treat the injured. In the years that followed, Pete would continue his rise through the ranks of company office with his appointment to 1st Lieutenant in 2001, and on to company Captain in 2002.
In 2008, after 15 years of outstanding service to our community, now Ex Captain Cheswick was award life membership from the department.
But that didn’t stop Pete. In April of 2018 Pete would return to the Captain’s Office of Ladder Co # 2 commanding his company once more. But in the following year 2019, Pete would be elected to the position of 3rd Asst Chief. Now with a much wider span of responsibility, Pete accepted to opportunity to show his leadership skills in the highest of offices.
In 2020, Asst Chief Cheswick moved up the ranks to 2nd Asst Chief. During this time, Asst Chief Cheswick has demonstrated outstanding attributes in leading our department and community through a Pandemic. Now in 2021, Peter S. Cheswick has moved up to the position of 1st Asst Chief where his leadership skills will continue to serve as a beacon of light for our organization in seeing us through this health crisis.
Married to his sweetheart Kristy, they have developed a fire service family of their own with daughter Kasey now a firefighter in Ladder Company # 2, son Connor elected 1st Lieutenant of the Junior Fire Company, and his youngest boy Luke, all of whom are proud to see their dad moving up the ranks.
In April of 2022, Peter S. Cheswick was elected to the position of Chief of Department. The Pandemic of 2020 has tested our emergency response organization and will continue to do so for some time. We are grateful that Chief Cheswick has taken on a Chief officer role guiding our department safely in protecting the residents of our community.