54. Gerard John O’Brien (1988)
Served 1 Year
Gerard O’Brien was born May 20, 1946, and is the son of George and Loretta O’Brien. He graduated Hicksville High and married Diane Magee on May 25, 1968. Gerard was employed by the United States Postal Service for over 42 years starting as a Mail Carrier before taking on the role as a Sr. Safety Specialist. He would parlay his extensive emergency response experience and serve as a Manager in Homeland Security for the Postal Service. Jerry and Diane live on Mayflower Drive in Hicksville.
Jerry served in the U.S. Navy as a 3rd Class Damage Control Technician.
Gerard joined Protection Hook and Ladder Company One in November 1964. Jerry was elected to serve as Treasurer from 1968-1969. In 1972, he was elected to serve as 2nd Lieutenant. Jerry subsequently went onto serve as 1st Lieutenant and was subsequently elected Captain in 1976 and again in 1977. Jerry was once again elected to the position of 1st Lieutenant in 1991 and again as Captain in 1993.
Gerard O'Brien was elected to the highest office of the Department in 1988, serving as the 54th Chief. His Assistant Chiefs were Terrence Farrell 1st Assistant, Anthony Wigdzinski 2nd Assistant and Patrick Scanlon 3rd Assistant.
The department responded to a building fire at Universal Products, 495 West John Street on February 11. The first engine to arrive immediately stretched hose lines to the rear of the fire building helping to contain the fire to a production area and stopping what could have been extensive damage to this two-level structure. The fire, which was caused by a spillage of Cumar R-10 a product used in manufacturing plastics, was brought under control in 90 minutes. The damage was approximately $75,000.
The department received an alarm on August 8 from the Hicksville High School Division Avenue facility of fumes coming from chemicals from the dock area. Responding to the scene were the Hazmat team and six units that found about 4 chemicals, removed from school labs, stored, and awaiting transfer. As Hazmat personnel suited-up in self-contained apparatus a precautionary hose line was set up. Hazmat team members were given a list of the chemicals on the loading dock, some of which included ammonium chloride. The team also found a small quantity of phosphorite had leaked from a container. Once it was mixed with air, a reaction occurred which gave off toxic fumes. The chemical was isolated first, then put in an overpack drum. When a small quantity of sodium was found, it was packed in kerosene to stabilize. At this point, all chemicals were in safe condition and the entry team exited the hazardous area and were de-contaminated. All unprotected chemicals were then stored in containers provided by the Fire Department. Although about six people were evacuated, students in a far wing of the school were in no danger.
A delicatessen on Old Country Road was destroyed and five other stores suffered smoke and water damage in an early morning blaze which has been termed “suspicious. More than 100 firefighters went to the New Country Deli, 26 Old Country Road, which was completely gutted.
A fire, which broke out in a building scheduled for demolition, took seven fire departments four hours to extinguish. The blaze was termed suspicious by the police arson squad and the fire marshal’s office. The building, at 33 Old Country Road, the former General Contractors, was owned by developers of the pending Delco Plaza, a new shopping center. Fast work by the Department, contained the blaze from spreading to the other Delco Plaza stores. A security guard was on patrol in the area when suddenly a ball of fire came up from the structure. The building had been vacant for about two months and earlier that year, a work crew started demolition.
In September, more than 50 firefighters and nine pieces of equipment from Hicksville, battled a blaze at the Tropical Showcase Pet Store in the shopping center at Newbridge and Old Country Road. The fire killed most of the livestock in the store before arriving firemen had a chance to save them. The alarm was turned in at 11:00 PM and was not declared under control for another 90 minutes. The fire apparently started in the basement and extended upward to the first floor. The first arriving units were met with a large volume of smoke, but no visible flames until they made entry.
In June of 1988, the Fire District reported that thirty to forty percent of all district fires and emergency calls occur around Levittown Parkway where the new Station 4 was proposed to be built in 1988. Although the firehouse has been under consideration for nearly 30 years, it had become increasingly important in 1988 because of the large percentage of emergency calls in that area. The property for the fire station was purchased two years prior from the town for $100,000. The proposed building design would be visually appealing and will complement the architectural styles of the neighborhood. Three fire engines and one emergency vehicle are housed in the station.
The Hicksville Fire Department and McDonald's Restaurant helped launch Fire Prevention Week for Nassau County, with a fire prevention expo, that was coordinated by Captain Schweitzer and held in the parking lot of McDonald’s on Broadway. There were displays by Engine Company 5, Ladder Company 1, Heavy Rescue Company 8 and the Rescue Squad. The fire department displayed many tools and appliances. The children were taught to Stop, Drop and Roll. The children learn to use a fire extinguisher and the Department distributed fire prevention literature and gave blood pressure checks. One of the highlights of the day’s events was the Nassau County Fire Education Trailer with audience participation and a special tour guided by Ronald McDonald.
In June of 1988, the Department adopted a new message phone to allow members to listen to messages if they could not hear the 9:00 AM or 6:00 PM test.
Chief O’Brien was saddened to learn of the passing of Ex-Chief/Ex-Commissioner Stanford (Sam) Weiss. Mr. Weiss joined Emergency Co. 5 in 1930 and served as a lieutenant and captain. He also served as assistant chief and was chief of the department from 1950-1952 and he served as a fire commissioner from 1959-1964. Mr. Weiss was also the Labor Day chairman for two years.
A few months later William F. Donlon, Jr., a fire commissioner and fire chief passed away of cancer. He was just 49 and a lifelong resident of Hicksville. Bill took an active part in his community, having joined the department in May of 1967. He started his way up through the ranks of the department and served as Lieutenant and Captain of Volunteer Hose Company 4. He went on to serve as Assistant Chief and Chief of the department in 1983 and 1984.
Ex-Chief O’Brien was awarded the Chiefs Award for his actions on April 2, 1991. The Hicksville Fire Department responded to a working house fire at 54 Fox Place. Ex-Chief O'Brien responding in his personal car was one of the first to arrive at the scene. With confirmed reports that the occupants of the house were trapped on the 2nd floor, Ex-Chief O'Brien attempted to obtain a SCBA unit but was unable to do so and entered the structure wearing only his turnout gear for protection. As Ex-Chief O'Brien entered the structure, fire department units had not yet arrived at the scene and there were no handlines for protection. As Ex-Chief O'Brien approached the stairs to the 2nd floor, he was able to see the fire burning to his left on the 1st floor. Unable to proceed up on to the 2nd floor due to the heavy smoke and heat conditions, Ex-Chief O'Brien remained at the stairs monitoring the fire condition and members searching. While positioned here, Chief Wigdzinski appeared with the female occupant and passed her off to him. Ex-Chief O'Brien immediately carried the female occupant across the floor, down a set of stairs and to the outside where he set her down across the street. Ex-Chief O'Brien was then passed a resuscitator which he set up and was used to administer oxygen to her due to her difficulty in breathing. Ex-Chief O'Brien continued to remain with the occupant and assisted in getting her ready for the ambulance to transport her to the hospital. In the finest tradition of the fire service, Ex-Chief O'Brien's dedication and teamwork contributed to the successful outcome of this fire incident.
Ex-Chief O’Brien was awarded a Unit Citation for his work on Friday August 21, 1998, when the Hicksville Fire Department was called to assist the Jericho Fire Department for an overturned gasoline truck on the Long Island Expressway. Upon arrival at the scene, it was unknown how much product was in the tanker since its driver sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital. A Hazardous Material Command post was established, and a review of the load and delivery tickets concluded that the truck was carrying approximately 10,000 gallons of gasoline. Various operations were being conducted which included the stabilization of the truck, monitoring of storm drains, the evacuation of residents and the cutting of six 4" holes into the side of the tanker and offloading its contents into a second truck while foam was being applied. Periodic meetings at the command post, among the various agencies involved allowed for good communication during this large-scale incident that lasted approximately ten hours and started on a hot and sunny day.
On August 22, 2017, the Hicksville Fire Department was alerted for a signal 9 for a "laceration from glass" at the MET Foodtown Supermarket at 530 South Broadway. First arriving units, 9399 staffed by District Medic were met with an adult male who was unconscious and lying in a large pool of his own blood. The patient presented unconscious with heavy bleeding from multiple deep lacerations including a severed artery in his right arm. Complicating the situation, a torrential downpour of rain began spreading blood and making it difficult to properly treat the patient. The EMT-CC took one side of the patient and the District Medic took the other. Pressure and "quick clot" bandages were applied. Chief Diaz and Assistant Chief Flahavan began to assist with patient care assessment of vital signs. Ambulance 9323 arrived and the EMT came to assist by applying a tourniquet to the patient's right arm which was now beginning to bleed through the bandages. An IV lifeline was established as the patient regained consciousness and became agitated. Medication was administered to calm the individual who was then transported to Nassau University Medical Center in serious condition. For his actions Ex-Chief O’Brien was awarded a Certificate of Merit.
Jerry was Captain of the Rescue Squad, a member of the “Hicks” Drill Team, and on the Hazardous Materials Team. Jerry was active on the Bowling Team and Softball Team. Jerry served for numerous years on the Labor Day Parade and Drill from the 70’s through the 90’s and he served as its chairman in 1975.
He joined the Fire Police and would serve as their Lieutenant and subsequently as their Captain in 2021 and 2022.
In 1988, Jerry was elected as a delegate to the 9th Battalion Fire Districts. He rose through the ranks and was elected to the position of Chairman of the 9th Battalion in 2011, a position he held for 4 years. During this time Jerry sat as a member of the Nassau County Fire Commission and in 1996, he was elected to the position of Chairman and is only the 3rd member of the Hicksville Fire Department to hold this position.
In 2009, Jerry was elected to serve as Fire Commissioner of the Hicksville Fire District for a 5-Year term, serving as its Chair in 2012.
