Getting acquainted with the Woodmere Fire District

This is the first in a series delving into the functions and responsibilities of the Woodmere Fire District.

There’s smoke in a home, a commercial warehouse fire, a flood emergency. The Woodmere Fire Department responds with engines, ladders, safety gear and adequate training to help.

However, it is the board of commissioners of the Woodmere Fire District that makes the decisions on how to spend the taxpayer dollars to help ensure fire protection for a portion of the Five Towns.

The fire district works behind the scenes to ensure fire protection for the residents, business owners and schools in the district.

Since 1923, the district has covered Woodmere, with sections of the area now under adjacent fire districts because of the growth — in population and development of residences and businesses — in the area Commissioner David Stern, the Board of Commissioner’s chairman wrote in an email.

Tasks such as providing equipment, training for fire department members and a budget for the fire department are just some of the district’s responsibilities of the district along with maintaining an open dialogue with fire department chiefs, district commissioners and department members.

“A Fire District will establish and organize a Fire Department to deliver service to the community,” Stern said.

There are about 850 fire districts in the state Stern said. The Woodmere Fire District is composed of a five-commissioner board, elected by residents, each serving a five-year term. Stern, who has served as a commissioner for 20 years was re-elected for another term in December.

“Some of the members of the fire board are also members of the fire department, the majority are,” Chief of Department Ross Rieman said of the commissioners. “They cannot be in a leadership role within the fire department, just for conflict of interest reasons.”

Rieman is the primary point of contact for the fire district within the department but other department leadership including first assistant chief, second assistant chief and department members communicate with commissioners as well.

“We have a great relationship with board of fire commission, they are very supportive of us,” Rieman said. “We’re supportive of them.”

Each year, the fire district adopts a budget after a public hearing and board vote. Majority of this money is spent on operational costs of the district including insurance, finance, utilities, upkeep, repairs, fuel, supplies and use of hydrants, Stern said. Nearly 8 percent of the current budget’s roughly $2.4 million is paid to Liberty Water for using the hydrants.

A portion of the funding goes toward reserve accounts supporting the purchase of buildings, vehicles and equipment, which are less frequent. The reserves are about 2 percent of the budget.

The district budget is part of the Town of Hempstead budget, forwarded to Nassau County so that district taxes can be levied and collected. The town collects the tax, and then turns it over to the fire district.

The fire district’s budget annual increase is subject to the state property tax cap, preventing an increase of more than 2 percent or the rate of inflation, however the district can exceed the cap through a resolution. The district files annual financial reports with the New York State Comptroller’s office.

In 2024, Stern says the district’s focus is on improving options for flooding rescue and response, something they have seen a need for in recent months. The district is also looking to renovate the Woodmere Fire Department.

“The oldest part of the building is over 100 years old and the newest part is 25 years old,” Stern said.
The fire district also looks to recruit new volunteer members for the department. “We are always interested in new membership,” Rieman said.

To get involved, visit WoodmereFD.com/Become-A-Member/.