North Merrick fire district elections upcoming

Merrick residents are encouraged to take part in the election of fire commissioner in the North Merrick Fire District. The polls will be open on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the station, 2095 Camp Avenue.

Paul Wilders, 53, is the district’s current commissioner and is running unopposed for the position. Wilders lives in Bellmore with his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Erica, 26, and his son, Anthony, 23. He has been commissioner since 2012 and has volunteered for the department for 34 years.

Wilders is currently assistant chief instructor of the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and previously worked as deputy commissioner of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management.

Wilders has many goals for the department this year, but the most important, he said, is to secure funding for an updated self-contained breathing apparatus.