Hail to the new East Meadow fire chief

It was an afternoon of celebration at East Meadow Fire Department headquarters last Saturday, as new officers were sworn into office, including new chief Thomas Tergesen.
   
Tergesen, 46, started out as a junior firefighter as a teenager, and has served ever since. He recently dealt with the death of his father, which made the ceremony even more special for the new chief.
  
"It was an emotional time," said Tergesen, an emergency rescue officer for the New York City Police Department. "People in the fire department were there for me. I look forward to leading them."
   
Tergesen moved his way up the ranks, most recently serving as the first assistant chief under outgoing Chief Keith Hoffman. He also worked as an assistant under former chiefs Eric Becker and John O'Brien.
   
"Tommy is a very, very hard worker and a dedicated individual," Becker said. "He deserves to be there."
    
After Tergesen was sworn in by Commissioner James Surless, his top officers were installed — 1st Assistant Carl Pugliese, 2nd Assistant Nicholas Corrado and 3rd Assistant Walter Griffin. Then Tergesen took the podium to install the captains and other officers across the many companies and groups that encompass the EMFD.

New EMFD officers

List courtesy East Meadow Fire Department, www.eastmeadowfd.com

Chief of Department: Thomas E. Tergesen
First Assistant Chief: Carl L. Pugliese
Second Assistant Chief: Nicholas Corrado
Third Assistant Chief: Walter P. Griffin, Jr.
Captain, Engine Co. 1: Stanley Mankowski
Captain, Engine Co. 2: Joseph Duggan
Captain, Engine Co. 3: Michael Troy
Captain, Engine Co. 4: Timothy Raichel
Captain, Ladder Co. 1: John McGee
Captain: Ladder Co. 2: Robert Salvesen, Jr.
Captain: Rescue Co. 5: John Vacchio

Other new EMFD officers

Treasurer: Paul Schmaeling 
Recording: Daniel Corr
Corresponding Secretary: Keith J. Hoffman