Two commissioners who will serve the East Meadow Fire District in 2026 were elected during the district’s annual fire district election held on Dec. 9, 2025.
William J. Neill was reelected to a five-year term on the Board of Fire Commissioners, while former Fire Chief Philip Fertitta was elected to a one-year term to fill the unexpired seat of Commissioner James Surless, who died in October 2024.
Neill, a lifelong East Meadow resident, has more than 50 years of service with the East Meadow Fire Department. He joined Engine Company No. 3 in 1975 and was elected captain in 1985. In 1986, he was elected assistant chief and in 1989 became chief of department. Neill was first elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in 1995 and assumed office on Jan. 1, 1996.
Fertitta has lived in the community for 29 years and has more than 33 years of service in the fire department. He served five terms as captain of Engine Company No. 1 and spent eight years as a chief officer. Fertitta also served two terms as chief of the East Meadow Fire Department, from 2018 to 2019 and from 2023 to 2024. He will serve the remaining one year of Surless’ term.
The Board of Fire Commissioners is a five-member, unpaid body elected by registered voters within the fire district. Commissioners serve staggered five-year terms and are responsible under New York State law for levying taxes and adopting budgets to fund the operation and maintenance of the East Meadow Volunteer Fire Department. The board also approves the purchase of apparatus and safety equipment needed to provide fire protection, emergency medical and rescue services.
The East Meadow Fire Department serves East Meadow and portions of Levittown and Westbury’s Salisbury section and is seeking new volunteers to serve as firefighters or emergency medical personnel. No prior experience is required, and all necessary training is provided.
Volunteer benefits include tax incentives, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance and participation in a service award pension program, all at no cost. More information is available at EastMeadowFD.com or by calling (516) 542-4565.
