Hicksville Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 recently honored Ex- Chief Gerard O’Brien for his 50 years of service to the Hicksville Fire Department and the local community.
“Being very active, it doesn’t seem like that long ago, that I joined,” O’Brien said. “As the years continue on, you get up to 40 and then the next 10 years seems like it flew by.”
As he looks back over the last five decades, he said the camaraderie with his company is what made him stay.
“I’m proud of my company. They’re like family,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien started his career in the Hicksville Fire Department in November 1964. He was sworn into Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 by Captain Robert Hammond Sr. and Chief of Department, Walter Tellender Sr.
In 1972, O’Brien was elected to the position of 2nd Lieutenant, followed by 1st Lieutenant and then in 1976, he became the 47th Captain of Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, serving two years.
In 1981, O’Brien once again ran for higher office and was elected to the chief’s office as 3rd Assistant, moving up the ranks to become the 54th Chief of Department in 1988. He realized the needs of Company No. 1 and was again elected Captain of Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 in 1993 and directed the proceedings for Company One’s 125th anniversary.
In 1993, O’Brien also started serving and representing the Hicksville Fire Department as a 9th Battalion Delegate. He was elected Chairman of the 9th Battalion in May 1996.
One of O’Brien’s proudest moments was being made chairman of the Nassau County Fire Commission, representing not only the Hicksville Fire Department, but the inter-fire service in Nassau County. There has only been one other member of the Hicksville Fire Department to achieve that title, Ex-Chief Clifford Davis.
“That’s the highest [title]. You’re in charge of so many different things. To be sworn in by the county executive and have meetings with him and being commissioner over the nine battalions was unbelievable,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in 2009 and served as chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners 2012. During his 50 years of service he has had an active role in many department committees as well, in addition to being a member of the rescue squad, fire police squad and chairman of the Labor Day Parade and Drill in 1975. O’Brien was also a member of the chief’s office during the formation of the hazardous material response team.
O’Brien still stays active with the fire department, serving on numerous committees. In his downtime, the Navy veteran enjoys time with his wife Diane, who has supported him for 47 years, and going to NASCAR races on the east end.
