The Jericho Fire District recently announced the retirement of District Clerk Myra Kennedy after 42 years of dedicated service to the community.

Myra, originally from Ireland, moved to Syosset in the 1950s. She began her employment with Birchwood Developments and later moved to Brookville. At that time, the areas known today as East and West Birchwood, were potato fields. Myra worked for, and was involved with, the people who built Jericho to what it is today.

In Oct. 1958, Myra began her career with the Jericho Fire Department and would soon be known as one of the first female and emergency rescue dispatchers in the county, and the first in Jericho.

In the decades that followed, District Clerk Kennedy would be instrumental in handling all types of emergencies ranging from a person needing an ambulance, to a serious fire or disaster; a role unsurpassed by any fire service administrator.

Her ability to perform emergency communications as dispatcher number one, purchase equipment, share in establishing policies, hire and train personnel and perform competitive bidding while providing a unique, professional business atmosphere for a growing fire district would soon make Myra the key role player in her four-plus decades.

As time passed, Myra's skills would only increase to match the changing times. Her abilities provided a foundation for assisting the many fire commissioners along the way with decisions requiring her expertise in state and municipality procedures and policies.

Her rapport with all those whom she met along her journey would be very satisfying. These days, many of the most distinguished people in the fire service and in the Jericho community will still ask, "Is Myra still there?" And, until now, the answer would be yes, only to hear how Myra touched their life in some way 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years ago.

To the public, Myra was the first person reached to put the wheels in motion for help to arrive. A welcomed voice when an emergency existed.

To the Jericho firefighters, Myra was the dispatcher whose attributes made calm, clear and concise radio instruction of the emergency at hand through the radio call signs KEG 503.

To the board of fire commissioners, District Clerk Kennedy was the backbone of an emergency organization growing by leaps and bounds in both the innovative changing of fire and medical protection for the community, as well as the ever-changing business administration; something Myra performed with grace and professionalism.

Today, Myra enjoys her retirement while stopping in to the Jericho Fire District to say hello and offer assistance whenever necessary.

This story was contributed by John J. O'Brien, District Supervisor of the Jericho Fire District