Answering the call

The alarm sounds, the doors fly up and in the blink of an eye, a Wantagh fire truck is out on the road, responding to a nearby rescue call. Nerves are on edge, but this is nothing new for Ex-Chief John Gillen.

As a first responder, Gillen, 56, has dealt with many high-pressure situations and seen a lot of “carnage,” as he puts it. The former New York City police detective, now a volunteer Wantagh firefighter, knows the true meaning of “controlled chaos.”

“The job of a chief is to be in command of the scene,” Gillen said. “So it’s everything from a rescue call to a major fire to a large automobile collision.”
According to Gillen, about 65 percent of the calls made to the department are rescue-related. Thanks to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and other training requirements, the volunteers are properly equipped to deal with a wide range of emergency situations.

“As a chief, you’re there by yourself,” Gillen said. “You’re trying to listen to the radio and see if there are any other trucks or medics coming to the scene. If it’s a structure fire, you’re looking to make sure there’s a large enough water supply and make sure everyone is out of the house. If the homeowner is there, you want to ask them what happened to get a better idea and be aware of any other hazards.”

Gillen, a father of two, has been with the department for almost 30 years, and was chief from 2003 to 2005. He was following the family line while setting an example for the next generation.

“My daughters, Meagan and Erin, grew up with their father as a firefighter, so they know the value of community service,” he said. “They both wanted to go into a career that would affect people’s lives. If they came to me and told me they wanted to join, I would absolutely encourage it.”

Gillen has been proud to see his daughters take up nursing and teaching, and also give back to the community. “It might sound cliché, but a simple ‘thank you’ is all you need,” he said. “You don’t need pats on the back or cakes and cookies. A ‘thank you’ goes a hundred miles.”