Lynbrook Fire Department swears in new chief, leadership team

Posted Friday, May 1, 2026 10:28 am

James DiGiambattista was sworn in as the 106th chief of the Lynbrook Fire Department on April 21.

Courtesy Dan Neri

Mayor Alan Beach swears in, from left, Chief of Department James DiGiambattista, First Assistant Chief Peter Festa, Second Assistant Chief Phil Tkacz and Third Assistant Chief Stephen Cribbin during an April 21 ceremony at Fire Headquarters.

Courtesy Steve Grogan

By Kayla Dechter

The Lynbrook Fire Department welcomed new leadership on April 21, as Chief of Department James DiGiambattista was officially sworn in during a council meeting at Fire Headquarters.

DiGiambattista, who was sworn in by Alan Beach, becomes the department’s 106th chief in its 125-year history. His term will run for one year.

Also taking the oath were First Assistant Chief Peter Festa, Second Assistant Chief Phil Tkacz and Third Assistant Chief Stephen Cribbin, along with officers and wardens from the department’s five fire companies and Medical Company.

A 17-year member of the department, DiGiambattista previously served as captain of Rescue, Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company 1. In 2021, he and fellow firefighters were awarded the Nassau County Silver Medal of Valor for rescuing a man from a burning basement apartment.

During the ceremony, the new chief marked the occasion with a toast, wishing members a safe and successful year ahead. Outside of the department, DiGiambattista serves as a Nassau County police officer assigned to the Bureau of Special Operations.

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