East Northport FD Annual Installation of Officers

Story & photos by Steve Silverman

The East Northport Fire Department recently held their 105th Annual Installation of Officers. Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Brian Olofson administered the oath-of-office to the new Chief of Department Joseph Ervin, along with First Assistant Chief First Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler, Jr., and Second Assistant Chief Daniel Heffernan.

Line and Squad Officers were installed as follows:  Engine Co. 1 – Captain John McCoy, Lieut. Bryan Gosik. Engine Co. 2 – Captain Daniel Flanagan, Lieut. Steven Macedonio.  Hook & Ladder Co. – Captain Thomas Bourne, Lieut. Matthew Cambria.  Rescue Squad – Captain Jamie Conroy, Lieuts. Donna Grant and Robert Hathaway. Fire Police – Captain Steven Lauschus, Lieuts. Thomas Noonan and Anthony Cassillo. Chief Mechanic John Cetta, Assistant Mechanic Christopher Radimer, Chaplain William Bootz, and Assistant Chaplain Brian Hinton.

Outgoing Chief Michael Tarantino was recognized for an outstanding job as Chief from 2011-2012, and was presented with an award depicting the badges of officer ranks he has held.

Company Achievement Awards were presented to Steven Smalling and Ex-Chief William Faltin of Engine Co. 1, Second Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler, Jr., of Engine Co. 2, Andrew Ritchel of the Hook & Ladder Co., Captain Steven Lauschus of Fire Police, and Dennis Consorte of the Rescue Squad.. The Paul Matthews Memorial Award was presented to Steven Guttman, who also received the Commissioners Award for outstanding ambulance response.

Thirty Years of Service Awards were presented to Andrew Lasda, Richard Meissner, and Ex-Chief Wayne Kaifler, Sr.

The James Niemczyk Memorial Award was bestowed to Ex-Chief John Schmidt for his devotion, commitment, and service to the department and community. Honorary Member Joe Roberts was presented with a special award recognizing his 50-years as Master-of-Ceremonies at East Northport FD events.

Photo below: The new Chiefs and Line Officers of the East Northport Fire Department are pictured below at their annual installation. Seated from left, are Engine Co. 1 Captain John McCoy, Second Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan, Chief Joe Ervin, First Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler, Jr., and Engine Company 2 Captain Dan Flanagan. Standing, Engine Co. 1 Lieut. Bryan Gosik, Engine Co. 2 Lieut. Steve Macedonio, Hook & Ladder Co. Lieut. Matthew Cambria, and Hook & Ladder Captain Tom Bourne.

Photo below: Outgoing East Northport FD Chief Michael Tarantino, left center, is presented with an award in recognition of his dedication and service as Chief from 2011-2012. From left, are Chief Joe Ervin, Michael Tarantino, First Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler, Jr., and Second Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan.

Photo below: The James Niemczyk Memorial Award was bestowed to East Northport FD Ex-Chief John Schmidt, center, for his devotion, commitment, and service to the department and community. Schmidt, a 38-year-member of the department, served as Chief from 1991-1993. Pictured from left, are Second Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan, outgoing Chief Mike Tarantino, John Schmidt, Chief Joe Ervin, and First Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler, Jr.

Photo below: The Paul Matthews Memorial Award was presented to Steven Guttman, who also received the Commissioner’s Award for outstanding ambulance response. From left, are outgoing Chief Mike Tarantino, East Northport FD Chief Joe Ervin, Steven Guttman, First Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler, Jr., and Second Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan.