32. Fred Michael Masters Sr. (1948-1949)
Served 1 Year
Fred Masters was born on April 13, 1896, in New Jersey, the son of Frederick and Palma (Olsiro) Masters. They lived at 19 East Barclay Street. He married Mae in September of 1921. They lived at 19 East John Street. He was employed by Griffin & Rushmore and Aircraft and later as a Mechanic for Grumman Aerospace.
He was a Veteran of World War I, where he served as a Private in the United States Marine Corp from July 1917 through August of 1919. He served in the 5th Machine Gun Battalion in the battle of Meuse-Argonne, France.
Fred was a member of Independent Engine and Hose Company 2. He was elected and served as Captain in 1943 and 1944 before being elected as the 32nd Fire Chief in 1948. His Assistant Chiefs were Daniel Munch (1st) and Stanford (Sam) Weiss (2nd).
Steam locomotives of the LIRR were believed responsible for two fires which destroyed more than two acres of a grain field between Duffy Avenue and the railroad, near Underhill Avenue. The fields were part of a 160-acre parcel that were planted in grain and owned by William Duffy. Flames raced across the tinder-dry grain fields towards the house on the north side of Duffy Avenue.
Chief Masters was instrumental in the conceptual design and procurement of the new racing truck for the department. The Ford F5 had a Speed wagon body (1320) and was also used to carry floodlights and had a canvas top to keep the driver dry during inclement weather. The truck, known as “Truck 6”, when not used by the department was used as a racing truck. The total cost of the rig was $3,058.08, and built by Hill Motors, Hempstead Welding and George Neder Jr..
In November of 1948, Chief Masters accepted delivery of the Seagrave fire truck for Emergency Company 5 from Columbus, Ohio. The pumper started production on March 22, 1948, and it was completed on October 28, 1948. This engine was a Seagrave model 66 with serial number D-9205. On November 16, 1948, following the Underwriter’s test, Chief Masters accepted the delivery of the 1948 Seagrave, and a final check was drafted by the Board in the amount of $13,902.50. It was also during his term that the department parted ways with three of its most used apparatus. The 1925 Larabee was sold to William Gebhardt (Henry’s Brother) for $255 and Roland Heberer purchased the two old White Fire Trucks for $100 each.
Chief Masters served on the Hicksville FD Labor Day Parade & Tournament Committee and served as its chairman.
Chief Masters passed away on March 16, 1959, and is interred at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
Chief Masters is shown with Chief Weiss (left) and Ex Chief Gebhardt (right) during a racing tournament
