Thursday, October 1, 2026
Rockville Centre’s firefighters are set to go to the polls to select three department chiefs and a delegate to the Fourth Battalion Fire District on April 5. Chief of Department John H. Busching, First Assistant Chief John S. Thorp III, and Second Assistant Chief Robert J. Seaman are all seeking a second year in their current positions, as is former Chief John A. Mirando, who is seeking another term as a delegate to the Fourth Battalion Fire District.
John H. Busching
Chief of Department John H. Busching joined the Rockville Centre Fire Department in January 1984. He became a Level I firefighter, EMT, Advanced EMT and paramedic. He has served as second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and twice as captain of Floodlight Rescue Company No. 1. Busching resides in Rockville Centre with his wife, Christine, a physician assistant at Mercy Medical Center and their son, Joseph. He received the Silver Award for heroism from the Nassau County Fire Commission for a rescue in 2009.
John S. Thorp III
First Assistant Chief John S. Thorp III, a member of Eureka Hook, Ladder & Bucket Company #1, joined the Rockville Centre Fire Department at the age of 18 and has been an active and dedicated member for more than 36 years. He follows in the footsteps of a long line of Thorp family firefighters, whose service dates back to 1920. Thorp served as lieutenant and then captain of Hook & Ladder from 1979 to 1983, as lieutenant from 1988 to 1992 and then again as lieutenant and captain from 1996 to 2001. Thorp resides in Rockville Centre with his wife Cindi and their three children. Thorp’s son, Kevin, continues the family’s tradition in the fire service as a member of Woodland Engine Company 4.
Robert J. Seaman
Second Assistant Chief Robert J. Seaman, a member of Live Oak Engine Company No. 1, joined the department in 1989, climbing through the ranks as second and first lieutenant before being elected to the rank of captain in 1995. He has been involved in all phases of fire department activity, has held key positions in several company committees, and represents Engine 1 on many department committees as well. Before his election to chief, Officer Seaman served the department and the community in the Bureau of Fire Prevention, including an eight-year stint as the chief Fire Inspector. Seaman resides in Rockville Centre with his wife, Lauren.
John A. Mirando
Seeking re-election as one of three delegates to the Fourth Battalion Fire District is former Chief John A. Mirando. He is a member of Woodland Engine Co.#4 and joined the department in June 1973. In 1981, he moved to Freeport to take advantage of a career opportunity, and did a stint with the Freeport Fire Department, rising through the ranks and serving as captain of Bayview Hose Co. #3 in 1985. In 1987 he returned to Rockville Centre where he rose through the ranks of Woodlands and served as captain from 1990 to 2003. In 1995 he was elected second assistant chief and served as chief of department from 1999 to 2001. Mirando makes his home in Rockville Centre with his wife Karen. Two of their sons — Vincent, a former captain and Nicholas, who is currently serving as lieutenant, as well as Mirando’s father, Lou, also a former captain, are members of Woodland Engine Company 4.
