Fire Department swears in chiefs

With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, the Valley Stream Volunteer Fire Department held a private swearing-in ceremony April 9 to welcome a new chief and his assistants.
About a dozen members gathered as Mayor Ed Fare swore in Eugene O’Brien II, of Truck 1, as the 98th chief of the department, succeeding Jason Croak, whose term ended after two years. Patrick Scanlon, of Engine Company No. 1, was sworn in as first assistant chief, and Anthony Capone, of Engine Company No. 2, became second assistant chief.
Fare said he found it surreal to officiate the swearing-in ceremony — typically attended by more than a hundred volunteers, their family members and friends — in such a manner.
“Many traditions have been lost due to this pandemic,” Fare said, “and it was very strange holding a private ceremony, because the Fire Department is a brotherhood and sisterhood where camaraderie and bonding is part of risking your well-being for others. I felt bad that Chief Jason Croak left office under the cloud of the Covid virus and that Chief O’Brien began his term without the usual celebrations.”
Croak echoed Fare’s sentiments, and said it was a somber ceremony, without its typical fanfare. “It’s a sad time,” he said, “but it was absolutely necessary, because the last thing we want is any member to become sick.”

Croak will continue volunteering, after serving two years as second assistant chief, two years as first assistant chief and two years as chief.
“My favorite part of working as chief was forming friendships in and out of the community and within the Fire Department and with other fire departments,” he said. “Being chief was time-consuming, and it was stressful making firefighting and administrative decisions, but it was a great and a very fun experience.”
He added, “It’s tough being as involved as I was and letting go, but I know Eugene O’Brien will handle things and get things done. My advice to Eugene is that he keeps moving forward and continues the legacy of the Valley Stream Fire Department.”
A 25-year veteran of the Valley Stream Fire Department, serving in various capacities, O’Brien said he looks forward to his new role. “I hope to provide the best training that I can to the members of the department,” he said. “I hope to expand the department’s mobile computer system, find new equipment, improve radio communication between firefighters and better equip them to respond to calls.”
O’Brien said he first joined the department to follow in his family’s footsteps. His father served in the VSFD for 50 years, and his three brothers and uncles were also members. O’Brien is the first chief in his family.
“I’m eager to get involved and dig in and continue the tradition of the Valley Stream Fire Department,” he said. “It’s a lot of responsibility, and I worry about the safety of members at all times . . . It’s also challenging working during this pandemic because we want to provide the best service, while keeping members of the department safe.” 
Scanlon, now first assistant chief, started volunteering for the department 11 years ago, and said he looks forward to working with O’Brien to help him fulfill his plans.
Although he was grateful to take on the new role, he said the recent death of fellow firefighter and department EMT Mike Field of complications from the coronavirus hung heavy over the ceremony.
Field was sworn in posthumously as a chief of the department, and Field’s three sons, who are also members of the department, were presented with their father’s chief badge. 
“Missing Mike put a solemn damper in the ceremony,” Scanlon said. “In my new position, as the right-hand man of the chief, I hope to continue the duties of teaching the second assistant and making sure everyone gets home safe.”
As second assistant chief, Capone said he hopes to use his eight years of firefighting experience, and the business skills he gained as the owner of two nearby auto body shops, to help move the department in a positive direction. Capone also said he looks forward to following in his family’s footsteps through his new position.
“My step-dad was a chief and his dad was a chief and his brother was a chief, so firefighting is in my blood, and it’s in my nature to help everybody,” he said. “Now we are in a pandemic, and the challenges we face are tough, but there are brighter days ahead.”