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Mostly Cloudy Local firefighter faces new battle
After ex-chief is found to have brain cancer, locals raise more than $50,000
For nearly 20 years, Franklin Square resident Richard Schriefer has been putting out fires in the community. He has lived through some horrific scenes, and witnessed what for some families is the epitome of disaster — losing their home and valuables, or even their loved ones.
No training or experience, however, could have prepared Schriefer for the devastating blow he received in July: After having a seizure in the middle of the night, he was taken by his wife to Winthrop Hospital, where doctors determined that he had brain cancer.
For the most part, Schriefer, 37, has had a pretty lucky life. He and his wife, Andrea, have been married for nearly five years and have two children, Leah, 4, and Rachel, 2. He has volunteered at the Elmont Fire Department for nearly 20 years.
After working through the ranks at the EFD, serving as lieutenant and captain of the Belmont Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, then as the department’s third, second and first assistant chief, he was named chief of the department in 2008. He served as chief until 2009, alongside his younger brother, Brian, 30, who joined the department in 1998 and is currently third assistant chief of its Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2. Along with his full-time work as a steamfitter, Richard’s volunteer work has always kept him busy.
Doctors removed a tumor on Aug. 1, but they were unable to rid him of all traces of cancer, and he has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments ever since. Later in August, his mother discovered that she had lung cancer. The two have been battling the disease together, receiving radiation and chemo for the past four months.
Richard and Brian come from a family of firefighters. Their other brother, Robert, 36, is now the captain of Belmont Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1. Their father, Richard Schriefer Jr., has been with the Elmont department for more than 20 years. Their grandfather, Richard Schriefer Sr., is an ex-chief of the EFD’s Co. No. 1, and their great-grandfather, Jules Ergenzinger, was a member of the department as well.
The Schriefer boys grew up in Elmont, where Robert, Brian and their parents still live. Richard and Robert attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, and Brian attended Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville.
The family was devastated to learn about Richard’s cancer. “My brother is a great father and a good fireman — he’s a good guy,” said Brian. “He always puts his best foot forward. He needs to get better soon so he can get back on the fire truck and go back to doing the thing he loves to do — protecting and helping his neighbors.”
Nearly 500 firefighters, friends and family members took part in a fundraiser on Oct. 29, hosted by Belmont Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 at EFD headquarters. The event raised more than $50,000, through donations and raffles, to assist Richard and his family with medical expenses.
“The whole department helped out, and it made a big difference,” Brian said of the event. “It goes to show the brotherhood that exists in the department, and how people step up … it’s moments like these that you feel proud of what you do.”
The Shop, at 1301 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, will hold a fundraiser — called Haircuts for Elmont Firefighter Richard Schriefer — on Monday from 6 to 10 p.m. Proceeds, as well as a recommended $25 donation, will go to the Schriefer family.
Donations for Richard Schriefer can be sent to Belmont H&L #1, Friends Helping a Friend, 766 Home St., Elmont, NY 11003.
