Two of Rockville Centre's bravest to join board of county Firefighters Museum

  John V. Murray and John A. Mirando, two Rockville Centre residents and new members of the board of directors of the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center, were recognized at a special reception on Museum Row in Garden City on July 14.  As elected members of the board, they will serve in an advisory capacity in all matters pertaining to the operation of the museum.

  “We are extremely pleased to welcome John Murray and John Mirando to the Board of Directors,” said Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center Board President Angelo Catalano, in a written statement.  “Their knowledge and experience will be valuable assets to fellow board members, the museum staff, and this institution as a whole. 

“John Murray has served the Museum well as a safety Instructor at the Museum over a year now.,” Catalano added. “As we move forward in 2010, we truly appreciate the time that both board members are willing to dedicate to this new position, and look forward to working with them on a variety of upcoming Museum projects and

initiatives.”

  Murray is a native of Rockville Centre and a dedicated member of the fire service. As a longtime member of the department, Murray rose through the ranks and became chief. He has also served as an instructor for the Nassau County Fire Service Academy.

  Since April 2009, Murray has been assigned as a Safety Instructor at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center through the Nassau County Vocational Education and Extension Board Public Education Division. At the Museum, he has guided thousands of young visitors through Stop-Drop-Roll, Home Escape Planning and other safety exercises, and has shown older visitors how to protect themselves, their family and their property from fires, burns and other common household hazards

  Mirando joined the Woodland Engine Company No. 4 of the Rockville Centre Fire Department in July 1973. He transferred to the Freeport Fire Department in 1981 when he moved to the area and later rejoined the Rockville Centre Fire Department when he returned to the village during the summer of 1987. He held several positions before becoming Chief of Department from 1999 to 2001.

  Mirando received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College and later became a professional engineer who is licensed and registered in New York and Michigan state. He has held various positions in several districts throughout the area and is now the is village administrator for the Village of East Rockaway. Prior to working in East Rockaway, he was a partner at Dvirka & Bartilucci Consulting Engineers, vice president for both Jamaica Water Supply and Long Island Water Corp. He has also worked for the Village of Freeport, Garden City Park Water and Fire District and New York’s Water

Service.