Saturday, April 26, 2025
Vigilant Engine Co. 1 along with Protector Hook, Ladder & Hose Co.1 of the East Rockaway Fire Department recognized Honorary Chief Donald Lehr’s 75 years of service to the department and the community.
A week later, in further recognition and celebration of Honorary Chief Don Lehr a parade of all the vehicles of the department took place along West Blvd. in Bay Park— in front of Lehr’s house.
The celebration started with the clambake prepared by the members of the Main Street Firehouse. This festive meal and celebration was something that Lehr always loved, he said.
When Lehr turned 18 years old, he joined the Vigilant Engine Co. 1 of the Fire Department of East Rockaway. A few years later, in 1952, Lehr joined the United States Army and served as a medical corpsman until his discharge in 1954.
Upon his return home from the Army, and with his medical experience, Lehr became very active in the Fire Department of East Rockaway Rescue Squad, putting his Army training to work, to serve the people and the firefighters of East Rockaway.
Lehr was elected for various roles, and ultimately served as captain from 1963-1964.
He also served Main Street’s fire corporation, the East Rockaway Fire Department, Inc., as secretary and entertainment chairman.
In his role as the good and welfare committee chairman, Lehr worked diligently, taking care of, and remembering, all distressed members and their families.
He also ran Main Street Firehouse’s bingo fundraisers and the Department’s Annual Parade and Drill for many years.
Lehr was also a charter member of the fire department’s Drum and Bugle Corps and years later, was also a charter adviser to the Junior Drum and Bugle Corps.
For 22 years, he was the official photographer for the Fire Department.
“You would almost always see Don with a camera or a video camera in his hand, ready to record for posterity the events of the Department,” Vanessa Torborg, captain of Vigilant Engine Company No. 1 said.
But Lehr was not just the man behind the camera, he was also a dedicated active firefighter.
One night in 1968, as Lehr was coming home from work at the Nassau County Police Department Fleet Service Bureau, the tones alerted the members to a general alarm signal 10 house fire.
Lehr responded to Main Street to help get Vigilant Engine to the scene of the alarm.
Once on scene, Lehr and another jumped into action to rescue two citizens trapped on the second floor of the raging house fire. For his efforts and for going above and beyond the call of duty at this fire, Lehr received the Medal of Valor from the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway.
Lehr is the most senior member of the department.
