Bellmore Fire Department salutes officers at installation ceremony

Members of the Bellmore Fire Department celebrated their new officers and longtime volunteers at the department’s 117th annual installation ceremony last weekend.

The ceremony was held at the Huntington Hilton on Saturday, Feb. 15, said department spokesman Vincent Scaduto. Between an evening of dinner, fun and musical entertainment from the band Tradewinds, lifetime members of the department were honored and new officers were installed.

Stephen Marsar was named the department’s 65th chief. Marsar, who grew up in Wantagh and attended the former St. Barnabas School in Bellmore as a child, joined Engine Company No. 2 in 1987. A former Bellmore fire commissioner, Marsar is now the commanding officer of Engine Company No. 8, Ladder Company No. 2 in New York City and an adjunct professor at Nassau Community College. He succeeds Christopher O’Brien, who was honored at the ceremony.

Marsar was installed with First Assistant Chief Daniel Holl and Second Assistant Chief Vincent Montera. Department captains and lieutenants were sworn in as well.

The department also recognized several longtime members, including Thomas McGovern (73 years in the department), Beltrany Setteducatti (64 years), Peter Schmalenberger Jr. (59 years), Dennis Rich (55 years), Ronald Ullrich (51 years), Raymond Of (50 years) and Kenneth Noon (50 years).