Port Washington Fire Department Juniors Excel

An avid interest in firefighting and serving the community has attracted young adults to the Juniors program for more than a decade. Enthusiastic teens ages 13 to 17 meet monthly to learn about all phases of firefighting under the guidance of advisors and expert trainers from the PWFD who provide the ultimate training experience in a safe, controlled environment. Juniors also acquire valuable skills for life such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving and responsibility while enjoying their work together as a group.

Michael Tedeschi, the head advisor and chairman of the Juniors, is teamed with Vincent Costa as co-advisor. Both volunteer firefighters are  also involved with the Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association Board of Directors. Costa is the association's current co-chairman while Tedeschi chairs its officers committee. The NCJFA brings together all of the Junior fire departments throughout Nassau County.

Current Captain of the PWFD Juniors, , recalls a memorable experience organized by the NCJFA.

"Every year we go the the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage," said McDonough, the Juniors first female captain. "They host a training session with different evolutions such as a mask confidence maze. Every Junior company splits up into groups and we all have a chance to meet and interact with new people."  

Their common goal is to continuously cultivate a new crop of dedicated young volunteer firefighters to serve as recruits for the long term. The Juniors are the future of the fire departments. When Juniors reach the age of 17, they are eligible to join and become valuable members of their local fire departments. Since the group's inception ten years ago more than 40 Juniors have joined up in Port Washington as firefighters to protect the community. 

Patrick Nuzzolese recently joined the PWFD and selected the Atlantic Hook & Ladder Co. 1 as his company, while Kevin O'Reilly joined the Flower Hill Hose Company.

"Junior firefighting has eased the transition  from the Juniors to the big leagues and I firmly believe that I am a better firefighter because of it," said Nuzzolese, who was a captain of the PWFD Juniors for two years and also president of the NCJFA last year. To start out, new  probationary firefighters are required to fulfill certain course requirements at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy.

"I've served as chairman of the PWFD Juniors since 2003 and it's always a pleasure dealing with these dedicated kids," Tedeschi said. "Getting up early on a Sunday morning numerous times throughout the year shows a great committment and a willingness to learn."                                                                                                                                                         

For more information about the PWFD Juniors program call: 516-883-2200, ext. 569.

                                                                                                                                                     Port Washington Fire Department Juniors:                                           

Kelly McDonough – Captain,  Peter Levinson - First Lieutenant, Gabriel Gallardo –Second Lieutenant, Sam Thompson – Treasurer, Matthew Carras – Secretary.

Ethan Brower, Gregory Martinek, Patrick Ferro, Nick Meyer, Joseph DiSpigno, Erin McDonough, Alec Saccoccia, Tyler Schnell, Ivan Gallardo, Aimee Levinson, Tom Bruck, Kevin Sandoval.

Patrick Nuzzolese and Kevin O'Reilly recently joined the PWFD.