28. George John Engel (1943-1944)
Served 1 Year
George Engel was born August 16, 1907, and was the son of William and Lena Engel. George married Mildred Kuhn in June of 1928. He worked as a laborer for the Hicksville Water District and lived at 186 West John Street. George joined Emergency Company 5 on November 9, 1932, when they were stationed on Marie Street.
When Bill Cisler and Edward Devlin resigned as Lieutenants at the end of 1935, George was elected 1st Lieutenant and was subsequently elected the 7th Captain in 1937. His Lieutenants were Stanford “Sam” Weiss (1st Lieutenant) and Robert Heberer (2nd Lieutenant).
During the height of World War II in 1943, George Engel would normally progress up the chain of command. However, Vincent Braun wanted to stay on as Chief for another term. After the dust cleared, George Engel was victorious over Vincent by a vote of 73 to 46 and elected as the 28th Chief. His Assistant Chiefs were Edward Mack and Stanley Cheslock. He would be re-elected in 1944.
George served as the “Hicks” Drill Team Captain in 1938 and 1940, during the championship years. George was a participant on the Annual Labor Day Committee for many years and served as Chairman in 1946. When the United States was at war in Europe, many fire departments including this department, found themselves without many young firefighters. They were serving their Country. The annual labor day events in Hicksville, came to an abrupt halt and George would Chair and host a community dance, which took place until 1945. It included the participation of Grumman's Orchestra, "The Continentals", playing the sounds of big band music. The events included a raffle for War Bonds and War Stamps.
George Engel lost his first attempt at running for Assistant Chief in a very close election to Charles Steinhauer, with a margin of 31-27. Two additional candidates made their mark with less votes (Joe Eisemann 19, and Fred Mason with 17). Two years after departing as Captain, George Engel would be elected 2nd Assistant Chief in 1940.
Chief Engel demonstrated a new fog nozzle type attachment and its effect in controlling oil fires with a fog pattern. The Chief set ablaze 50 gallons of used crank case oil and allowed the members to take turns using the nozzle under actual conditions.
It was during his term that the Hicksville Fire Department lost three members overseas during World War II. Henry Gebhardt Jr., Gregory Stock and Arthur Noeth all were killed in action and laid to rest with full military and fire department honors.
The question of making the department by-laws more flexible in regards to the number of consecutive meetings a member might miss before being expelled from the department was given back to each Company to address individually. Many of the members were working in war plants at night and therefore unable to attend night meetings. Chief Engel decided that the solution to the problem should be handled by each of the five companies separately.
During World War II, Chief Engel had to move operations off the second floor of the firehouse to accommodate the War Department. Press Wireless took possession of the entire second floor to participate in the war effort. This lasted until the end of the war.
In his report to the Community and Board of Commissioners, Chief Engel reported that fire damage was at an all-time low in 1943, with less than $5,000. Most of the fires were grass fires. He was also beginning to see a reduction in firefighter response due to effort in World War II.
In 1944, a fire broke out under the metal and wooden roof of the Atlantic Concrete and Pipe Company located on West John Street. Firefighters were hampered by the need to climb ladders and catwalks near the ceiling to reach the building and access the roof.
A fire was started by a 4-year-old child at the home of 78 Notre Dame Avenue. The grandchild was playing with matches on his bed when the fire caught the bed spread. Fire damage was limited and put out quickly.
During his term, the department was saddened to learn of the passing of Fire Commissioner Sebastian Wuchter. He served for over 17 years.
Upon his retiring as Chief, he was presented with a Black Onyx Ring from Commissioner Harry Gleckler and incoming Chief, John “Jack” Leckie.
George was elected Fire Commissioner and served two-five-year terms from 1950 to 1959, serving as its chairman in 1953 and 1958.
George served as Treasurer from 1943 through 1962. He was President of the Volunteer Firemen’s Exempt’s Benevolent Association in 1947-1948. He was a member of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), Nassau County Firemen’s Association (NCFA) and South Shore Firemen’s Association (SSFA).
On June 11, 1962, George was placed on the honorary rolls, with 29 years active service to the Hicksville Community.
Chief Engel passed away on February 12, 1973, and he is interred at Washington Memorial Park in Coram.
Chief Engel leading a resident to safety during an apartment fire
Chief Engel shown at the Hicksville Inn with Sam Weiss, Gerry Ofenloch, Bill Cisler, John Hanley and others during an inspection dinner
