Fire commish elections set for Dec. 13

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On Dec. 13, Franklin Square residents will cast their ballots for fire commissioner at the Franklin Square Munson Fire Station on Liberty Place, and Elmont residents will vote at the Elmont Fire District Building, at 100 School Road. 

Four candidates -- two from each community -- are running this year., with one as incumbent and the other as a challenger. In Franklin Square, Joseph Gerrato is challenging incumbent Dennis Lyons. In Elmont, Frank Hrbek, the incumbent, is running against Jean Duroseau.

As of press time, Lyons and Duroseau had not returned the Herald's calls seeking comment.

Each community's board has five members. Commissioners are responsible for their departments' daily operations. Each commissioner is elected to a five-year term, and one is elected every year.

According to Joseph Capobianco, the Franklin Square Munson chief, two of the commissioner's main jobs are managing department finances and purchasing equipment.

"The right person for the role keeps everything updated," he said. "They don't do as much firefighting and EMS work. Instead, they deal with the taxpayers, as well as take care of the tax responsibilities for the department. They have to be qualified in many ways, as they would be in charge of multiple commitments."

Joseph Gerrato

Gerrato, a challenger, is a 19-year member of the Franklin Square Munson Fire Department and currently a department captain and a trustee of the Firefighters Exempts Benevolent Association. He is also a past department president and treasurer.

Gerrato is a lifelong community resident and is married with two children. He is involved in his children's school committees and the community's historical society and civic association.

He said he believes his several years of fire service are the primary asset that he would bring to the commissioner's job if elected. "The commissioner's role is being responsible for all purchasing and budgeting for the department," he said. "That includes the vehicles, equipment and buildings. It's the business end of firefighter service. I love helping my community, and firefighting is a family business for me.

"If I'm on the truck and I see something that needs attention or fixing, I would make sure it is taken care of immediately," he continued. "Our members are the ones still out there making sure they are able to help people with the best equipment and intentions."

Gerrato said he would like to improve membership recruitment and retention. "I would like to enjoy working in my role and give it a fresh perspective and voice for a younger, active, training-oriented community," he said. "The commissioner should be someone around [members'] peer age or level who understands them, someone who is currently going out on calls with them, out on the trucks with them, a leader, not a boss."

Frank Hrbek

Hrbek, an incumbent in Elmont, is a 51-year member of the Elmont community. He has been a member of Engine Company No. 3 for 34 years, and is currently a trustee. He has also served as a captain and lieutenant for the company. 

Hrbek is a member of the Nassau County Association of Fire Districts. For 31 years he has been a custodian and head custodian for the Sewanhaka Central High School District. And he is a PAL coach and Cub Scout leader for Boy Scout Troop 294.

Hrbek said he believes his several years of leadership are an asset for re-election. "For the last 10 years, I have worked in leadership roles at the company," he said. "I'm ready for a new term."

"I would push for better equipment, more trainings, and emphasize safety for everyone," he said. "I would increase manpower through recruitment. We can always benefit from having more members who help our community."

Carl Achille, of the Parkhurst Civic Association, planned a Meet the Candidates Night at the Elmont Memorial Public Library on Dec. 5, after press time. He believes the fire commissioner elections are important, and encourage everyone to vote.

"Our tax dollars are what pays for safety and service for our communities," Achille said. "If our fire departments and districts are happy, we're happy."