The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department (SFD) recently installed its slate of officers for the 2005-2006 term. The SFD's leadership team for the coming year is headed up by newly elected Chief of Department Christian Pieper.

Chief Pieper is a lifelong Syosset resident and a graduate of Syosset High School. He has been a member of the SFD's Hook and Ladder Company No.1 for 17 years and previously held the position of company captain. He has served as an assistant chief for the past six years in preparation for assuming the department's highest office. Chief Pieper was recently cited for bravery by the Nassau County Fire Commission, along with two other SFD members, for their actions in removing two elderly victims from a house fire on Marlene Drive in June of 2004.

Chief Piper resides in North Syosset with his wife Meredith and their two sons, Liam and Tyler. He has been employed by the Long Island Rail Road for 15 years and now serves as a supervisor for the railroad. He previously received a Nassau County Police Commissioner's award for breaking up a mugging in a parking lot near the Hicksville train station.

"I would like to thank my brothers and sisters of the Syosset Fire Department for their vote of confidence in allowing me the opportunity to be their leader for the coming year," said Chief Pieper. "My goal as chief of department is to provide our neighbors with a professional level of emergency services from a volunteer organization."

To meet this objective, Chief Pieper plans to focus on two key areas - recruiting additional members and continuing to provide the firefighters and emergency medical personnel of the SFD with the highest levels of training and experience.

Chief John Capobianco was elected to his third term as an assistant chief and Robert Kaplan, of Engine Company No. 5, was elected to his first term as assistant chief.

The Department's Administrative Officers were unanimously returned to office for another year with Louis Fasano returning as department secretary and James Johnson and Daniel Percell re-elected as treasurer and assistant treasurer respectively.

Company Officers

Company No. 1 (Syosset Fire Company No. 1)

Captain Kevin Kahl

1st Lieutenant Stephen Kahl

2nd Lieutenant Donald Russo

Company No. 2 (Hook & Ladder Company No. 1)

Captain Jack Randazzo

1st Lieutenant Kevin Lee

2nd Lieutenant Christopher Eysser

Company No. 3 (Woodbury Fire Company No. 1)

Captain Buddy Mianulli

1st Lieutenant Paul Voight

Company No. 4 (Emergency Company No. 4)

Captain Kenneth Johnson

1st Lieutenant Peter Silver

2nd Lieutenant Edward Judge

Company No. 5 (Engine Company No. 5)

Captain Kenneth O'Brien

1st Lieutenant Howard Riegler

The officers will hold their positions for the next year, after which they can be nominated and elected for further terms.

The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1915 and is composed of over 100 men and women from Syosset and surrounding areas. The Department serves an approximately 17 square mile district, with the largest response area in Nassau County. The district's fleet has 11 pieces of fire fighting apparatus and four chief's cars.

Membership requirements are as follows: members must be 18 years of age, pass a physical and an agility test, clear an arson check and clear a fire department reference and background check. Once accepted for membership, the Fire District pays for protective equipment, clothing, training etc. New members receive approximately 100 hours of training in their first two years in the department.

For information about becoming a member of the Department, contact the office of the Chief of Department at 921-0728. For fire safety information, contact the Fire Prevention Office at 921-6597. For info and news about the SFD, visit us on the web at syossetfd.org