On October 13, 1996, a young Phillip Fertitta joined Engine Company # 1, of East Meadow Fire Department.
A product of the Elmont Fire Department for 5 years prior, Phil already had the many tools of an experienced firefighter.
Adapting to the life of an East Meadow volunteer firefighter, Phil was a perfect fit for Engine 1. Just two years after joining, Phil was elected to the position of Company Sargent at Arms.
In 1999, he would move up and was elected to Company Secretary. In 2000, Phil’s hard work ethic would land him the line officer position of 2nd Lieutenant, affording his company, and our department, the opportunity to see all the best Phil had to offer when in charge.
By 2001, Phil reached the position of 1st Lieutenant. But it was his years in the office as Captain that Phil would be acknowledged the most for the leader he had become. Elected to Captain in 2003, Phil would start a near continuous run for office like few others, serving as Captain also in 2004, 2007, 2012, and 2013. A five-time “Firefighter of the Year” award recipient in Engine Co 1, Phil left little time to spare winning 13 merit pins for total alarms answered for our community.
In his years as an officer in Engine Company # 1 Phil was recognized most for his ability to lead, and his passion for training members, particularly in his role as a mentor to new members.
A man dedicated to his work throughout all his years as a firefighter and officer, Phil served on countless committees on both the company and department levels, chairing several, to ensure the effectiveness of our organization.
A family man, loving husband to Denise, and proud father to his two children, Stephanie and Matthew, Phil, and his family set a fine example of the long-time East Meadow residency and community service that makes our particular volunteer fire department flourish.
In 2015, Phil’s abilities made him a fine candidate for the position of 3rd Asst Chief. In the years that followed, Phil’s leadership and expertise would move him up the ranks to 2nd Asst Chief in 2016, 1st Asst Chief in 2017, and on to Chief of the Department in 2018. In 2020, with more than 28 years of fire service experience behind him, Phil was again elected to the position of 3rd Assistant Chief.
In 2021, with a year of leading our organization through a Pandemic behind him, Asst Chief Philip Fertitta moved up to the position of 2nd Asst Chief. Now in 2022, Asst Chief Philip Fertitta has moved up to the position of 1st Asst Chief.
At a time when a man of Asst Chief Fertitta’s expertise and excellence in leadership is needed the most, our department will continue to follow the plan in protecting our community in this health crisis, as well as protecting our neighbors from fire, and many other types of emergencies, while keeping our members safe.