Three running for Oceanside fire commissioner

Next Tuesday, Oceansiders will have the opportunity to vote for one of five Oceanside Fire District commissioners.

Incumbent Commissioner Dennis McGlynn’s term is ending, and while he is running for re-election, he is being challenged by longtime Oceanside Fire Department member Tommy McDermott and relative newcomer Biagio Rosano.

Commissioners deal more with spending than fighting fires. The five-member Board of Commissioners is in charge of the district’s budget each year, purchasing equipment and paying for the district’s expenses. A commissioner is not required to be a member of the OFD.

“I’ve worked hard to save money, but also to make sure the firefighters have the best equipment to do their jobs,” said McGlynn, who has held the position for eight years. He previously served a five-year term, but was not re-elected. Two years later, he ran for and won his current three-year term.

McGlynn, who has been with the department for about 25 years, said he believes his experience as a commissioner is what qualifies him for the position. “I know the ins and outs of being on the board,” he said. “I know the Fire Department, and I know what the guys need as far as training and equipment. But there’s also pie-in-the-sky-type things, and you’ve got to be able to put the brakes on and explain to the guys why they’re not getting it.”

McGlynn spent years as a facilities manager for National Grid, and now manages armories for New York state’s Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The experience, he said, has helped him when it comes to saving money on facilities: He is looking into combining two firehouses into one new house.

“We’re looking at consolidating a couple of firehouses that are really old and need to be refurbished, but it’s better to build a new firehouse and put the companies in a new place that has everything you can possibly think of for economy and energy-saving,” he said. “And it’s more centrally located, and it would be better for the taxpayer.”

McGlynn explained that a new firehouse would be a more economical way for the department to use energy and would ultimately save it money. One building, he said, is cheaper to operate than two.