69. Richard Diaz (2016-2017)
Served 2 Years
Richard Diaz was born July 20, 1962, and is the son of Roland and Vera (Jelic) Diaz. He lives on Lowell Street. Before retirement, Richard had been employed professionally by the New York City Housing Authority where he had been a supervisor for 25 years. He oversaw the operation and maintenance of the mechanical equipment for 154 Community and Senior Centers and 13 NYPD Housing Bureau Police Service Areas throughout the 5 boroughs.
Richard “Rich” joined Emergency Company 5 on April 5, 1981, and was assigned Badge 977. He was elected as 2nd Lieutenant in 1991 and 1992, 1st Served 2 Years Lieutenant 1993 and 1994, before subsequently elected as the 44th Captain in 1995 and 1996. Additionally, he was elected again to serve as 2nd Lieutenant in 2006 and 2007, and 1st Lieutenant 2008 and 2009.
Rich was elected 3rd Assistant Chief in 2010 and 2011; 2nd Assistant Chief in 2012 and 2013; 1st Assistant Chief in 2014 and 2015. He was elected the 69th Chief of Department in 2016 and 2017. His Assistant Chiefs were Robert Telender Jr., 1st Assistant, Elizabeth Flahavan, 2nd Assistant and William Efinger, 3rd Assistant.
On June 21, 2016, the Hicksville Fire Department responded to a house fire on 1st Street by Jerusalem Avenue. A mother and daughter suffered smoke inhalation, and the mother also suffered minor burns. Both were taken to NUMC by NCPD Ambulance. Hicksville firefighters quickly had the fire under control.
On January 26, 2017, the department was alerted for smoke coming from a home in the area of Georgia Street. On arrival, police and firefighters were notified that all residents were out of the home, but the family dogs were still inside. Aggressive moves by incoming firefighters and the local police officers were able to get all three dogs from the house and resuscitated them once outside.
Chief Diaz joined the members of Independent Engine and Hose Company 2 to help celebrate their 125th anniversary and to bestow the title of Honorary Captain to Michael Kretz. The department responded to a worker trapped in a 15-foot wood pile on Cantigue Rock Road on August 27, 2016. The worker operating a chain saw cut his leg and Chief Diaz had to use Ladder 6 and set up a technical rescue to remove the worker while EMS personnel applied a tourniquet.
The department responded to a working fire on Levittown Parkway on April 12, 2017.
A heavy smoke condition was visible on arrival with engine companies quickly stretching handlines to douse the flames. Damage was limited, but not before several mutual aid companies were called upon.
In April, Chief Diaz received word from the New York City Fire Department that William Tolley was killed in the line of duty. Firefighter Tolley was a former member of Heavy Rescue Company 8 and a member of Ladder 135 in Queens. He was the 1,147th member of the FDNY killed in the Line of Duty. Chief Diaz was saddened to learn of the passing of 52-year member and Honorary Chief Conrad Strauch from Engine Company 7.
On June 24, 2017, Luigi Q Restaurant on South Oyster Bay was gutted by fire after a call was received around 12:30 PM. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the roof. The restaurant was closed at the time. Firefighters from several other departments had trouble getting to the fire, which appeared to originate from just under the roof. Firefighters battled the blaze for about two hours.
At the September 11th ceremonies in 2017, Chief Diaz helped dedicate a tree near the 9/11 memorial at Station 3. In October of 2001, a pear tree was discovered at Ground Zero that was severely damaged, with snapped roots and burned and broken branches. The tree was removed from the rubble and cared for. After its recovery and rehabilitation, the tree was returned to the Memorial in 2010. The tree now has new, smooth limbs extended from the stumps, creating a visible demarcation between the trees past and present. At the dedication, the tree will now stand as a living reminder of resilience, survival, and rebirth.
In September of 2016, Chief Diaz joined with the Officers and Members of Protection Hook and Ladder Company 1 to accept delivery of their Sutphen Ladder. This 100-foot aerial tower with 2,000 GPM, four door tilt cab, has a Cummins engine with 247-inch wheelbase, stainless steel body, fully equipped with 217 feet ground ladders.
Ex-Chief Diaz took on administrative duties within the Department and served as one of the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) Directors for 7 years. He took on medical responsibilities and served as a New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Chief Diaz was a member of the “Hicks” Drill Team and the “Hazzbeens” Old Fashioned Drill Team. Additionally, he was a member of the Tactical Rescue Team. He served on many Company committees.
He became a member of the Department's Hazardous Materials Response team in 1989 and has served the team as a technician for over 25 years.
As part of his extensive volunteer career, Rich kept himself active and is a qualified chauffeur on many pieces of apparatus and has always kept his skills sharp through many training sessions over the years.
Rich was recognized with a Unit Citation in 2006 for his role in a propane response to the Melville Fire Department.
On May 25, 2014, Chief Diaz was awarded an EMS Unit Citation for his actions at a "Code Red" at 754 South Oyster Bay Road. Upon Chief Diaz’ arrival he met up with Ex-Captain Granville and grabbed the AED, Oxygen bottle and BLS bag from his vehicle and went into the house. He checked to see if he was breathing, and he was not. He then checked for a pulse and did not find one. Captain Granville and Chief Diaz moved the aided from the couch to the floor where they immediately started CPR on the aided. Captain Granville started to connect the AED. A few minutes later Ex-Captain William Efinger and EMS member Kathy Scott arrived on the scene and took over. Kathy Scott took over CPR, William Efinger finished connecting the AED and analyzed the aided. The AED indicated that they continue CPR. Chief Diaz then retrieved the Ambu bag from his BLS bag and gave it to William Efinger who started to bag him. William Efinger analyzed the aided again and the AED advised to shock which was then delivered. The patient was loaded on the reeves and removed from the house onto the trundle. Once in the back of the ambulance the aided appeared to be breathing shallow. Once in the ambulance William Efinger obtained IV access. CPR was continued by Kathy Scott and airway management continued by Michael Epifania. The AED advised another shock which was then delivered by William Efinger. Upon arrival at North Shore Plainview ER the patient had a pulse and was spontaneously breathing. The patient was transferred to North Shore Manhasset Hospital later that evening.
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 the 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. Ex-Chief Gerard O'Brien provided much needed light. 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 agitated. Medication was administered to calm the individual who was transported to Nassau University Medical Center in serious condition. For his actions Chief Diaz was awarded a Certificate of Merit.
Ex-Chief Diaz would attain Life Active status in April 2002 and remains an active member and chauffeur on 935 and with the Hazardous Materials Response Team.
