Island Park Fire Department names Eric Gorton new chief

The Island Park Fire Department swore in Eric Gorton as the new chief on April 8 making Gorton the 84th chief in the department’s history. Department nominations began in February and Gorton was uncontested for the position. With over a decade of service to the community and a family legacy spanning multiple generations. Gorton, who was first assistant chief of the Department, steps into his new role with a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to serving the residents of Island Park.

“I was a little nervous at first,” Gorton said. “When you’re an assistant chief, you’re part of the puzzle, and when you’re the chief, you’re the head of the table. You’re the person that gets blamed, you’re the person that gets praised but I think we settled down and my assistant chiefs have been very helpful.”

The first assistant chief of the department is Mahendra Hardwar and the second assistant chief is Micahel Denis. Micahel Whalen was the previous chief of the department. Gorton’s journey to the position of chief began in 2009 when he joined the fire department at the age of 18. Raised in Island Park amidst a family deeply entrenched in fire fighting, Gorton’s decision to follow in his father, grandfather, uncles, and great-uncles’ footsteps was a natural progression of a long-standing family tradition.

“When you pull up and you see for the first time a house is on fire, that’s pretty nerve-racking,” Gorton said. It’s going through your mind, why am I doing this but then you remember, you’re there to make the situation better. If a child, an old person, or a pet or anyone needs help, you’re there to take care of that.”

Having risen through the ranks from an eager 18-year-old recruit to now leading the department, Gorton’s dedication and passion for fire fighting have been unwavering. He recalls memorable incidents during his tenure, highlighting the unpredictable nature of fire fighting and the importance of being prepared for any situation. Despite the added responsibilities and pressures that come with being chief, Gorton remains deeply committed to his fire fighting duties

“I know pretty much everybody in the community and I want to be the person that people call on for help that can be in a tough spot,” Gorton said. “When everybody’s running away from the emergency, I want to be running towards it.”

Mayor Michael McGinty, who has worked closely with Gorton on various projects over the years, expressed confidence in Gorton’s leadership abilities.

“History is going to show that he’s going to go down as one of the great chiefs in the history of the Island Park Fire Department and as a result, one of the great chiefs in the second battalion. There is no question in my mind. McGinty remarked, underscoring the positive impact Gorton is expected to have on the department.

Gorton was installed as chief by Congressman and former Island Park fire chief Anthony D’Esposito. D’Esposito and Gorton both have long ties in the community and Gorton, who has stayed connected with D’Esposito through their years in the department, shared some advice the Congressman passed along to him.

“Life isn’t always going to be good times,” Gorton shared. “It’s when the bad times come that you know how to get through it and lead. There might be situations where the department’s down or somebody’s down and might have to be the backbone.

With a commitment to service, a rich family legacy, and a vision for the future, Gorton said he hopes his tenure as chief will be marked by an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the residents of Island Park.

Looking ahead, Gorton has ambitious plans for the department, including community outreach initiatives, recruitment drives, and ensuring high morale among his fellow firefighters. “Building morale would be the number one thing,” Gorton asserts, recognizing the importance of a cohesive and motivated team in effectively tackling emergencies.