Malverne F.D.’s golden boys

Two firefighters mark 50 years of service

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When Robert Meyer and John Wolffe joined the Malverne Fire Department, it was 1966 and they were 18 and 23 years old, respectively. In those days, firefighters would dress for a fire while en route to it, grabbing whatever protective gear was on the truck. Those who were already dressed would hang off the side of the truck as it raced to the scene. The biggest hoses the trucks had were 2½ inches in diameter, and could pump 1,000 gallons of water a minute.

Today, all of that — and much more — has changed. Firefighters must put on their gear prior to boarding the trucks, and it is forbidden to hang onto their sides. The largest hose is now 5 inches in diameter — equivalent to an above-ground water main — and can pump 1,500 gallons per minute.

The only thing that hasn’t changed for both Meyer and Wolffe is their devotion to a department and village that they have served for 50 years. Both men, though past retirement age, are still active members of the Malverne F.D., a labor of love that both men say has had a tremendous positive impact on their lives.

“We are very fortunate that we have two 50-year members that are still very active in the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department and the firematic process,” said 1st Deputy Chief Michael Gildea. “They’re both very dedicated men.”

Wolffe’s grandfather, George Cornwell, and great uncle, Ike Cornwell, were both well-known gentlemen farmers in Malverne — and also founding members of the Fire Department. “The first fire truck in Malverne was housed in Ike Cornwell’s barn, at the corner of Bond Avenue and Franklin Avenue,” said Wolffe, who is a safety officer for the department.

“He’s basically the eyes and ears of every operation,” said Gildea.

Building on his experience in the department, Wolffe became a part-time instructor at the Nassau County Fire Academy, and then a full-time supervisor. He was also part of the academy’s public educational division, which built a fire safety trailer that visits schools across Nassau county. Ten years ago, he joined the design team that created the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center.

“I retired, but I still work part-time there,” said Wolffe, a lifelong resident of the village who will celebrate his 50th anniversary with the department on July 18.

Meyer, a retired Nassau County police officer who now works for the Department of Homeland Security’s regulatory division at Kennedy Airport, is an ex-chief of the Fire Department and part of its fire police. “He protects the scene for our firefighters, and is also a driver,” said Gildea.

Meyer said he was persuaded to join the department by Malvernite Harold Petersen, whose family owned the now-defunct Petersen’s Deli, a popular store in the village for over 40 years. Petersen was a firefighter, and his parents and Meyer’s parents were friends. “I was still in high school, and think I may have been one of the youngest members they accepted into the Fire Department at the time” said Meyer, who has lived in the village since 1961.

The camaraderie of the department has had a great impact on his life, Meyer said, adding that his colleagues have become like family to him. He goes on more than 100 calls a year, he said, and marked his 50th anniversary on May 2.