Volunteer Fire Department:

It’s In My Blood:

Growing up in his father’s firehouse in Rockville Centre NY Michael had a natural desire to join the fire department. Helping out around his father’s station until he eventually became old enough to join the junior fire department in East Rockaway where he rose to the rank of 2nd lieutenant within two months. At the age of 18 he transferred from the juniors to the regular fire department and completed the basic coursework and officers training quickly.

Michael and his family moved to Baldwin June of 2000 where he was put in contact with members of the Baldwin Fire Department and began the process of changing to serve his new community. After all of the paperwork had been completed he was finally now a member of Baldwin in February of 2001.

Administrative Duties:

After completing the required training and becoming a chauffeur (or engineer) Michael was elected 2nd lieutenant in January 2005 where he would move up the line becoming captain in 2007. Since the volunteer service in Baldwin moves rank in one year increments Michael once again entered the line as 1st lieutenant in 2010 moving back to the position of captain in 2011. The paperwork and administrative duties of being a politician for your sect of the whole is one experience in itself, but literally leading your crew into flames and back is something very, very few managers can say they have done.

Other Experience:

Realizing that being a leader is only a good when the team is good made Michael branch out into training. Taking the coursework and becoming an NFPA 1041 level 1 instructor he joined the ranks of the people he admired most in his department. Teaching his team provides him with a great sense of personal satisfaction. It has also opened up opportunities to him allowing him to serve on the department’s training committee and SCBA committee.