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Mostly Cloudy Former W.H. fire chief honored for service
Former Chief of the West Hempstead Fire Department Lou Minutoli recently received an award at the department’s annual installation of officers honoring Minutoli’s 50 years of public service.
Minutoli, who is set to turn 70 in January, grew up in West Hempstead. He joined the West Hempstead fire department in 1971 and became chief in 1988. “It was enjoyable. I enjoyed giving time to the community,” Minutoli, 70 said. Minutoli is also a retired member of the New York City Fire Department, having served between 1982 and 2002.
“Most guys in the fire department now, their parents and their kids weren’t even born yet,” Minutoli said of the era when he was chief.“Time goes by quickly,” he added. Today, the former chief still visits the fire house, but he lamented that he is not as active as he once was.
He has been an instructor with the Nassau County Fire Academy's Public Education Division since 1995 and is a retired member of the FDNY. His wife, Eileen, as well as his three children, Micheal, Brian and Elizabeth, and his six grandchildren, were present when Minutoli was honored.
