By Nick Buglione
Vying for Welt's seat on the five-member board of commissioners, Charles Bullard stands in the way. Bullard, however, could not be reached for comment at press time.
Welt, 53, has essentially dedicated his life to fire rescue services. In February 1969, he became a volunteer firefighter with the East Meadow Fire Department and rose through the ranks over the years.
Aside from his volunteer work, he landed a job in the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office. He still works there today as a division supervisor. For the past 25 years, Welt has also been an instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy.
"I was very much involved in fire service," said Welt, the father of four children -- one college student, two high-school students and one middle-school student. "I was interested in doing more."
So two decades ago he decided to run for the East Meadow Board of Fire Commissioners.
The board's main function is to spend the tax dollars that fund the fire department, Welt said. The East Meadow Fire Department operates under a roughly $3.8 million annual budget, he said.
The board is also responsible for the department's overall operations. All East Meadow fire commissioners serve voluntarily, receiving no salary or compensation.
"We've accomplished a lot of things," Welt said of his years on the board. "East Meadow is one of the best-equipped fire departments."
He also noted that the department recently equipped all vehicles -- including every chief's vehicle, medical response vehicle, fire truck and rescue truck -- with automated external defibrillators, or AEDs.
Defibrillators work by giving the heart a controlled electric shock, forcing its muscles to contract and beat back into a regular rhythm.
At one time, only medical professionals were able to operate the machines and interpret the heart rhythm readings. AEDs, however, use computer chips that instantly and accurately analyze all readings, so laymen can operate them.
"We've made a lot of cost-saving changes in the 20 years I've been on the board," Welt said. "We've been able to secure some grant money to help us with some of our projects."
Welt said that he and the board are currently working on installing special pre-emptive devices onto emergency vehicles that will allow rescuers to turn stop lights green.
When fixed onto vehicles and turned on, the devices emit a signal that is picked up by receptors placed at busier intersections. Turning lights green in the direction emergency response teams are traveling and red in all other directions, the pre-empters allow for a quicker response and safer passage down busier thoroughfares.
His knowledge and experience are the main reasons why voters should re-elect him as fire commissioner, Welt said.
"I've been a member of the East Meadow Fire Department for 35 years," he said. "I understand the needs of the fire department to maintain it as one of the best fire departments."
With over 250 volunteers, the East Meadow Fire Department responds to more than 2,000 emergency calls a year.
Vote here
The East Meadow Fire Department election is to take place on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Polls will be open from 1 to 9 p.m. Residents who live south of Hempstead Turnpike are to vote at the firehouse at East Meadow Avenue and Front Street. Residents who live north of Hempstead Turnpike are to vote at the firehouse on Newbridge Road and Salisbury Park Drive.
