42. John Richard Specht (1964-1966)
Served 2 Years
John Specht was born on May 24, 1924, in Valley Stream, New York and was the son of John and Theresa (Holst) Specht. He married Dorothy Hoffman in May of 1947. He was employed by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office and reached the highest office as Nassau County Fire Marshal. They lived at 3 Crescent Street in Hicksville.
John was a veteran of World War II and enlisted in 1942 as a Signal Corpman of the United States Army.
After serving with the Valley Stream Fire Department for six years, John Specht joined the Hicksville Fire Department as a member of Independent Hose Company No. 2 in 1952 and given badge 510. He transferred to Hook and Ladder Company 6 as a Charter member in February of 1956, serving as their first Captain. After his service to Company 6, John transferred back to Company 2 after his term as Chief in 1967.
He ran for 3rd Assistant Chief in April of 1959, and was elected to that position, then ascended to 2nd Assistant Chief 1960-1961. He was elected 1st Assistant Chief from 1962-1964 and subsequently as 42nd Fire Chief in 1964 through 1966. His Assistant Chiefs were Gus Cotsonas (1st), Cliff Davis (2nd) and Mel Voorhies (3rd).
A significant change in the District By-Laws took effect December 8, 1964, when Ex-Chiefs and former Fire Commissioners became “Life Members” at the completion of their term and were presented with Life Membership Cards. They would enjoy all benefits of active members and not be counted against the Company membership quota. They would also be exempt from all penalties and assignments.
Fire damage was estimated at $50,000 when it broke out in the Trading Post on East Marie Street, next to the entrance of the Hicksville Theater. The alarm was sounded at 1:30 AM, and smoke damaged a stationery store, Starlight Shop and Terard Jewelers.
A fire sent plumes of smoke wafting hundreds of feet into the sky in a blaze that caused over $500,000 in damage at 55 East Old Country Road. The flames collapsed the roof and back wall of the 300-foot long, one story building and spread to a freight car. The warehouse stored garden products and lawn fertilizer. The building was leased by Troiano Express.
Rounding out the fire activity was a fire at the Long Island Swimming Pool Supply Company at 270 Old Country Road that stocked chemicals and was thoroughly gutted by flames.
It was shortly after eight o’clock when the firemen arrived at the Sutter Building. The eight-year-old two-story building at Jerusalem Avenue and Newbridge Road, was gutted by flames in November of 1964. The building was damaged twice before by fire, but the third time really did it in. Damage was expected to be estimated at $150,000. Four occupied stores on the ground level were a total wreck. Some fourteen offices on the second floor were burned out and flames roared through the ceiling in several places.
Four volunteer firemen were hospitalized with injuries during a roaring fire in the Carnegie Lithographers, a printing plant at 12 Midland Avenue. The plant was described as a total loss. About 20 men labored throughout the day with a payloader and bulldozer to extinguish the mounds of burning paper. Firefighters were sent to Twinlawns Avenue to protect homes on the block.
John helped formed the Hicksville Fire Department Rescue Squad in 1956 and served as first captain of the Squad. John, an Emergency Medical Technician, served as Vice-Chairman of the Nassau County Emergency Medical Service Committee and was Chairman of the Fire Service sub-committee of Medical Services.
While Chief, John instituted many programs that are still followed, including a training committee where the Chief plans special training aids, drills, slides, etc. The training requires every probationary fireman to complete a Basic First Aid course developed by Rescue Squad EMT and AMT’s.
John was the Secretary of the 9th Battalion Fire Chiefs Council and had served as Vice Chairman of the 9th Battalion Fire District until his appointment to the Fire Marshal's Staff in 1972. In 1972, John was elected President of the Nassau County Fire Chiefs Council after serving on many committees with that organization, and served on the Executive Council of Firematic Associations, and as Treasurer of the Nassau County Fire Chief's Seminar Committee.
In 1993 while the Department was celebrating its 100th Anniversary, they also hosted the Annual Southern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association and John served as Co-Chairman with ex-Chief Cliff Davis.
During his term as Chief of the Department he was saddened with the passing of Ex Chief’s Charles Schaefer; Henry Luhmann and George Neder. Also, the former Commissioner Henry Clay Simons.
John was a member of Volunteer and Exempts Firemen’s Benevolent Association of Hicksville, and he served as President in 1977-1978.
Chief Specht passed away on January 2, 1997, and is interred at the Cemetery of the St. Margaret’s in Plainview, New York.
Chief Specht shown at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage 
Chief Specht (left), is shown with Assistant Chief Davis and Voorhies investigating a basement fire 
Ex Chief Specht (left) is with Assistant Chief Davis at a command post 