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Brocher takes over as fire chief

Croak wins three-way race for 2nd assistant chief

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On April 2, Charles Brocher stood by Fire Chief John Beck’s side along North Central Avenue as Valley Stream firefighters battled an early-morning house fire. It was the two men’s last big call together.

With Beck’s two years as chief coming to an end, Brocher was elected the department’s new leader the following night. The election, held at Company No. 3’s headquarters at the Cochran Place firehouse, also featured a three-way race for second assistant chief among sons of former chiefs.

Brocher joined the department in February 1985, a few months before he graduated from Central High School. His father had been a firefighter in Meadowmere Park.

He is a member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, headquartered at the Corona Avenue firehouse, and has served as its warden, lieutenant and captain. About a decade ago, Brocher said, he started thinking about becoming a department leader, and he has been an assistant chief for the past four years.

As chief, he said, his goals are to ensure that his firefighters are well trained, keep up to date on safety standards and regulations, and get new equipment when needed. The department will be looking to get two new trucks in the coming years.

Brocher also wants to grow the department. He said that while the active roster exceeds 225 members, there is always room for more. The department will be working with a recruiting agency, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.

Brocher has seen some big fires in his time. Two that stand out were in his first year as second assistant chief — one at Inatome Japanese restaurant on Fifth Street, and the other at IHOP on Sunrise Highway.

Fighting fires for three decades has taught him to expect the unexpected, he said, and no matter how much experience a chief has, he must make decisions on the fly. “Every fire is unique in its own way,” he said. “No fire is a routine type of fire.”

In addition to commanding fire scenes, Brocher will be responsible for the department’s finances and working with village officials. He wants to keep up fire prevention efforts, including the yearly program at schools.

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