Chief, commissioner, assistant chiefs sworn in January 1
Christopher J. Moskos was sworn in as the 67th chief of the Hicksville Fire Department at Hicksville Fire Department Station #1 on Jan. 1.
Moskos joined as a member of Emergency Company 5 in July of 1983, after he was a member of the Hicksville Fire Department Juniors from 1980 to 1982. Having served just over three years, Moskos was elected as 2nd lieutenant to Company 5, a position he relinquished following his transfer to Floodlight/Heavy Rescue Company 8 in January 1988.
Moskos went onto serve Company Eight and was elected as 2nd lieutenant for the term of 1992 and 1993, then elected to 1st Lieutenant in 1994 and 1995, then rose to captain in 1996 and 1997. He was then elected to captain again in 2005. He was elected to the position of 3rd Assistant Chief in 2006 and 2007. He rose through the ranks of 2nd assistant in 2008 and 2009 and 1st assistant from 2010-2011. In 2012, Chris was elected and now holds the position of the 67th chief of the Hicksville Fire Department.
Moskos has been recognized by the American Legion for the Hicksville Fire Department Unit Citation in 1987, for his lifesaving efforts on Glenbrook Road, and by the Knights of Columbus for his participation in Avianca Airline crash in 1990. He served as chairman of the 1995 Labor Day Committee, and served on the Parade Committee since 1989. In 1995 he had his hands full as he was also chosen as the chairman of the 100th Anniversary Parade Committee.
Chief Moskos has also served on various committees, such as Hazardous Materials Response Team, “Hicks” Drill Team, “Hazzbeens” Old Fashion Drill Team. He is a lifelong resident of Hicksville, and is employed by the Hicksville Water District since 1986. He currently holds the position of Water Plant Operator.
Robert Telender, Jr. was also sworn in as the new 3rd assistant chief. Telender lived in Hicksville all his life and joined the Hicksville Fire Department in February 1991. He joined Citizens Engine Co. 3 after completing the first year of probation. He went on to become a firefighter after completing five years of school and trained to become a 2nd lieutenant. After completing his term as a 2nd and 1st lieutenant, he became captain of Citizens Engine Co. 3, serving in the years of 2000 and 2001. He also was a member of the Hicks drill team for many years competing in many tournaments. After a few years, his company re-elected him for a 2nd term as captain for the next two years.
With 20 years of service in the department he decided to run for the position of fire chief. Being a 3rd generation firefighter with his grandfather being an ex-chief and his father being an ex-captain, he decided to keep the tradition alive by running with the support of his family, including his wife and daughter, to successfully achieve the position of 3rd assistant chief for the Hicksville Fire Department.
