Longtime Farmingdale football coach earns firematics’ plaudits
The chiefs, commissioners, officers and members of the Wantagh Fire Department (WFD) are proud to announce that ex-chief and commissioner Donald Snyder has been chosen to receive the prestigious 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
Snyder was chosen after a selection process that included many nominees from across the nation. He was recognized at a banquet during the NVFC’s meeting in Alexandria, VA.
The NVFC is the leading nonprofit organization representing the interests of approximately 800,000 volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services by providing resources, education, and representation on a national level. The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Rosenbauer America, honors the recipient for at least 20 years of service and outstanding achievements as a volunteer firefighter and exemplary service to his/her community.
Snyder joined the WFD in December 1951. Starting with his election as lieutenant and then captain of Engine 4, he has held virtually every elected position within the department during his 64 years of dedicated and unwavering service, culminating with his election as chief of department in 1962. An interesting note is that he served in every elected firematic office that was available in the first 12 years that he was a member.
After serving as chief, Snyder was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners, where he has continuously served for 50 years, including 16 times as chairman. One of the only positions that he was not elected to during his time in Wantagh was as president of Company 2, in which he is a charter member. Instead, due to the respect and admiration of everyone who has ever spent any time with him, he was appointed ted to that position unanimously in 1999.
Snyder has seen changes in laws, firefighting standards and technology during his tenure. His steadfast service has resulted in Wantagh’s firefighters and medics being among the best-equipped and -trained on Long Island.
Snyder has been a very active member at First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, where he has served as deacon, lector and usher. He has been a longtime supporter of the church’s nursery school and is often found lending a hand of support by making repairs, performing maintenance to the school and by supporting the staff. Of course, a highlight for Snyder is when he brings Engine 4 to the school to teach the children about fire prevention.
Among the many firematic awards and recognitions that Snyder has received are two Unit Citations and recognition by the Town of Hempstead for 60 years of service, and the Community Service Award from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
Snyder, a Navy veteran, has a long and storied past in local high school athletics. He was a teacher, athletic coach and athletic director in Farmingdale for 30 years and one of the most successful head football coaches of his era. In fact, the football stadium and athletic complex at Farmingdale High School are named in his honor and many of his teams earned championships.
In 1997 the National Football Foundation & Hall of Fame started the Don Snyder Award for contributions to amateur football on Long Island.
In 2011, he was inducted into the Long Island Wrestling Hall of Fame and in 2012 he was inducted into the NYS Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. In 2014, Snyder was inducted into the Springfield College Hall of Fame. Last year, he was an inaugural member of the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
He continues to serve on the Section VII Athletic Council as well as the Nassau County Football Coaches Association.
“Although Chief Snyder has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his life it is his humility that sets him far apart from others,” the WFD said in a statement. “He is a man of honor who has dedicated his life to serving so many others yet still was a devoted husband to his wife Mickey for 55 years before her passing in 2006. Together, they raised four children and were blessed with 13 grandchildren and now one great grandchild.”
—Submitted by the Wantagh Fire Department
