Rockville Centre Fire Department swears in second-ever female captain

Many of the 328-member Rockville Centre Fire Department flocked to their headquarters on April 19 for the swearing in on re-elected and newly elected volunteers. And some history was made, as well.

Department leaders James Avondet, Scott Mohr, and Tony Rugolo were re-elected to one-year terms as Chief of Department, First Assistant Chief, and Second Assistant Chief, respectively.

Among the newly elected captains of each of the all-volunteer department’s seven companies was Keriann Grandazza who became the first female captain of Live Oak Engine Company No. 1. The company has existed since 1890 according to the department’s records. Grandazza is also just the second ever female captain in the whole department since it was formed in 1875.

Keriann, 27, also watched as her Ex-Chief father Peter was sworn in and her brother John, 22, became a Second Lieutenant.

“It’s an honor following my dad and my sister’s footsteps and being one of the leaders of the company I grew up with,” John Grandazza said.

Keriann is starting her ninth year with the department in May. She was elected as captain by her peers two weeks ago.

“It means a lot to me because I know that in the firefighting industry there’s not that many females,” Keriann said. “When I was 14, I went to an all-female fire camp, so even since I was little, I knew this was something I wanted to do.”