EMFD chief leads department during Covid-19

The East Meadow Fire Department installed a new chief, Paul Kosiba, in April, the 71st chief of the volunteer Fire Department, which has a storied past, having operated for 91 years.

Kosiba, 61, began his volunteerism with the East Meadow Fire Department in 1993, assigned to Engine Company Number 4. He quickly rose in the ranks, becoming 2nd lieutenant in 2004, and 1st lieutenant in 2005. He later went on to become captain of Engine 4 in 2006.

“I caught the firefighter bug when I was young and growing up and over 40 years later here I am,” Kosiba said. “I loved the opportunity to serve and create friendships and comradery.”

He is no stranger to being a dedicated firefighter. Kosiba joined the Plainview junior firefighters at 16 years old, while growing up in Old Bethpage. From there his career as a volunteer firefighter grew. He wound up staying with the Plainview Fire Department for 15 years and served as a fire company captain and rescue lieutenant.

“I’ve known him for 28 years, he’s got quite a record,” said James O’Brien, district supervisor of the Jericho Fire District and an ex-chief of the East Meadow Fire Department. “He’s committed to getting the job done and providing a professional service to our communities.”

Serving as fire chief during the Covid-19 pandemic has not been easy. The world may have temporarily halted and then slowed down, but fires do not.

“Everyone needs to be protected and you don’t know what situation you’re walking into,” Kosiba said. “We haven’t changed. We still had to do our job, just a little bit more cautious.”

Being a chief is always the goal for those who enter volunteer fire departments. “You always think about the opportunity of being chief,” he said. “I like interacting with members on a new level. I am getting to know them and their families more.”

Kosiba’s cousins and uncles have been involved in different fire departments in New York City and on Long Island but no one from his immediate family has been a firefighter, he said.

“To do this job, you have to want to do it,” he explained. “You have to be all in. It’s not just a social organization; it’s inherently dangerous.”

Someone who wishes to become fire chief has to have served at every level, he added.

In April of 2018, Kosiba was elected the third assistant chief. He would go on to move up the ranks rather quickly and became second assistant chief in 2019 and first assistant chief in 2020. Now, in 2021, Kosiba has achieved his ultimate goal as the head chief of the department.

Chiefs serve one-year terms, and then go back amongst the ranks of firefighters. The job of a chief is to be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the fire department, he said.

Apart from holding positions in the fire department, Kosiba is also extensively trained in other areas. He came to East Meadow with an emergency medical services background. During his time in East Meadow, he achieved an Emergency Medical Technician Critical Care certification, while working on an Engine 4 ambulance. He also was a part of East Meadow’s Advanced life Support Response Squad.

“He’s a solid citizen and great guy,” Dick Cardozo, treasurer for Engine Company 4, said. “You have to give a lot to your neighbors and expect nothing in return, which he does. Not everyone rises to the top, but the good ones do. He’s someone I am glad to have on my team.”

Being a volunteer firefighter isn’t the only activity that defines Kosiba. In 2016, he retired after 33 years as a teacher in the Port Washington School District. He taught technology education and spent some time in special education. His desire to serve is why Kosiba said he became a teacher.

And being an educator runs in the family. Kosiba’s wife, Pat, and two daughters Kelly, 33, and Caroline, 27, are all teachers.

Kosiba has also had an extensive military career. He retired in 2016 after 29 years in the United States Coast Guard. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during 9/11, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Hurricane Irene.