A new first for the RVCFD

Kim Martino has a long family history in the Rockville Centre Fire Department. Her father, Billy Lapkowski, has been a member for over 40 years. She has many uncles, including former village Mayor Gene Murray, who were chiefs of the department. Her husband, Joe, joined up after the two of them married and moved to Rockville Centre. And her sister, Eileen DeBono, is also a member.

So it is really no surprise that Martino herself joined the RVCFD, and has been a member for nearly nine years. As she said, it’s in her blood.

“After I was sworn in, my dad gave me the biggest hug,” Martino said. “And I haven’t had a hug that big since the day I was married.”

Martino started moving through the ranks. She ran in her company—Floodlight Rescue Company No. 1—for the position of Second Lieutenant and won, serving in that capacity for two years. Then she did the same with the position of First Lieutenant.

And just recently, Martino, 27, became the first female captain in the history of the Rockville Centre Fire Department.

“It is very exciting,” said Martino. “Honestly, it hasn’t really set in yet, but it’s getting really exciting.”

Martino follows in the footsteps of her sister, who was the first female lieutenant in the RVCFD. “She was the second lieutenant of the truck company, and she did not run any further because she had started a family,” said Martino. “So she felt that the family was obviously more important.”

As captain of the rescue company, Martino, a trained EMT-CC, is in charge of one of the busiest fire companies in Rockville Centre.

“We have fire fighters in the company that go in and put out the fire, along with the other companies in the department,” she said. “We also have medical, where we run the ambulances... We also do motor vehicle accidents that require some sort of extrication and medical treatment at the same time. So we kind of have a three-role division all in one. We cover it all.”

Martino has received the support of the rest of her company in her new role, including some help from former captains. She also has the confidence of RVCFD Chief Mark Murray behind her.

“She’s very reliable and trustworthy,” said Murray. “You know the job’s going to get done when she’s there.”

Martino, a first-grade teacher in Minneola, is not the only woman in her company, although female firefighters are a rarity. According to Murray, there are only about a dozen in the entire department.

It’s Martino’s hope that, even though she is the first captain, she won’t be the last. And it may be that her new role as captain will inspire other woman to try for the same.

“I would hope that I would have that impact on some of them,” said Martino. “There are a few younger females in the company, so hopefully I can be a role model for them. Even some of the younger guys in the company that are starting to join.”

Comments about this story? ACostello@liherald.com or (516)569-4000 ext. 207.