Five decades and counting

Donald Snyder joined the Wantagh Fire Department at a time when the community was growing rapidly after World War II. And after 64 years of service to the department, he is ready to commit to another five.

Snyder, 89, is running unopposed to retain his seat on the Board of Fire Commissioners in the district’s Dec. 8 election. “I enjoy it, and I’ve been involved since I was a kid,” he said. “I feel I’m still capable of carrying it out.”

Snyder said that since he enjoys good health, he sees no reason to give up a position he has held for the last half-century. He grew up in Leroy, a suburb of Rochester, where he first got involved in the volunteer fire service. When he moved to Wantagh in 1951, Snyder joined the department and rose through the ranks until he became chief. After that, he was elected one of five commissioners.

The board of commissioners sets the budget for the fire district, as well as its policies and procedures. Major decisions, such as renovations to a firehouse or replacement of an engine truck, are made by the commissioners.

Geographically, the Wantagh Fire Department is one of the largest on Long Island, covering parts of Seaford, Levittown, Bellmore and East Meadow, as well as Jones Beach and Tobay Beach. But Snyder said that despite having a large area to protect, the priorities for Wantagh are the same as a small department. The commissioners must ensure that the department has up-to-date equipment, and well-trained firefighters and medics.

“We keep up with the latest trends in fire protection and medical care,” he said. “The Fire Department is more than ever involved in rescue calls.”

Snyder noted that rescue responses now make up the bulk of calls answered by the department each year. Because of that, several years ago he and his fellow commissioners upped the number of ambulances from three to five, ensuring one at each firehouse.