First Oceanside firefighter elected as FASNY president

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After volunteering at the Oceanside Fire Department for over 50 years, former chief Steven Klein was elected president of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York. He is the ninth person from Nassau County to hold the position and the first from Oceanside.

Steven, who joined the OFD in 1965 and served as chief in 1984, was sworn in at FASNY’s 146th annual convention in Syracuse last Saturday. He was the past president of the Fire Chiefs’ Council of Nassau County and the Nassau County Firemen’s Association. Steven became the second vice president of FASNY in 2014 and then first vice president in 2016. He will now lead the organization as president for its nearly 105,000 male and female volunteers.

“It’s a pretty big honor,” he said. “I put a lot of time and effort to get here and I’m pleased to be doing it.” In his new position Steven plans on helping to provide more support for the health and wellness of firefighters, increasing numbers of volunteers across the state through training and recruiting young people and promoting youth fire programs.

“I hope to be able to continue to provide benefits to protect the general public and firefighters,” he said.

Steven is a former United States Postal Service worker and a lifelong resident of Oceanside. Although he does not fight fires anymore, he acts as chauffer for the OFD, which includes his son and grandson, both of whom are members.

“He’s been dedicated since day one,” said his son Kevin Klein, who is the current OFD chief. “Some guys, after some years, burn out … he’s never slowed down a bit.”

Kevin has been volunteering for 26 years now. He recalled his father driving for him on his first call in 1993 and still doing so to this day. “To have your father driving you around is a pretty special feeling,” he noted. Kevin said he was proud of not only his former chief but also his dad and adding, “His legacy has trickled down to me and my son also.”

Kevin’s son, Christopher Klein, was sworn in as an Oceanside fire fighter four months ago. He introduced his grandfather at the convention and made the motion to have him elected.

“As someone who is family with him, and now works with both in the firehouse and in FASNY,” Christopher said, “I know that he will do an amazing job as president.”