73. Christopher J. Moskos (2022-2023)
Served 2 Years
Christopher Moskos was born August 13, 1964, and is the son of Charles and Joan (Foley) Moskos. He married Thea Hans on February 20, 1988. Christopher was employed by the Hicksville Water District working as a Plant Operator until he retired in 2021. Christopher and Thea live on Myers Avenue.
This was Chief Moskos’ second term as Chief of the Department. He served as an Assistant Chief from 2006 through 2011, then elected as the 67th Chief from 2012-2013. He returned as a 2nd Assistant Chief in 2018 and 2019, 1st Assistant Chief from 2020-2021 and was elected as the 73rd Chief of Department in 2022 and 2023. His Assistant Chiefs were Joseph DiFronzo, Christopher Wright and Michael Murphy.
There have been five members who served multiple years as Chief as noted earlier in the book. Only Chief Andrew Heberer served longer than any other Chief.
At approximately 4:30 PM, firefighters under the direction of Chief Moskos, responded to a reported building fire at 104 New South Road. On arrival fire and smoke conditions were viable in the rear of the building. Firefighters, with help on the roof from Bethpage Ladder 4, were able to minimize damage, one line was used to extinguish the fire.
On June 24 the Hicksville Fire Department was dispatched to a reported building fire at 535 South Broadway. On arrival Chief Moskos had visible flames in a 2nd floor window and a Signal 10 was transmitted. Engine 933 was first due and stretched the initial line to the 2nd floor containing the fire to the room of origin and quickly knocking down the main body of fire. With the assistance of crews from Bethpage, Levittown and Plainview, the fire was placed under control in approximately 45 minutes. In the early morning hours of July 5, 2022, Chief Moskos along with mutual aid companies operated on the scene of a building fire on West Marie Street. The incident originated as a dumpster fire; however, the fire impinged upon the gas service to the building as well as nearby propane tanks. As a result of the rapid fire spread there was extension up and into the structure. Despite the layout and construction of the building in addition to the compromised gas service, firefighters made an aggressive attack and were able to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Around 6:10 PM on September 14th, firefighters responded to a building fire at the Days Inn Motel located at 828 South Oyster Bay Road. A signal 10 was issued by Chief Moskos with 932 being the first due engine and 931 as the first due truck. Heavy smoke from a 1st floor room was observed and 2 lines were stretched into operation. Due to the possibility of fire spreading into other units, Chief Moskos brought in various mutual aid units.
Just a week later on September 22, 2022, firefighters responded again to the report of a building fire at the Days Inn Motel at 828 South Oyster Bay Road. Upon arrival smoke conditions were visible on the 2nd floor. Chief Moskos transmitted a Signal 10 working fire. Due to the nature of the building, with the 2nd floor closed in with windows, it was tedious work. 3 hand lines were stretched with 2 in operation. All occupants were evacuated safely, although some originally refused to leave.
On November 18, 2022, Chief Moskos was in command of a building fire on Broadway. The Marata Wok Chinese restaurant had smoke showing on arrival and multiple lines were stretched and mutual aid requested. The fire was brought under control within an hour and damage to adjacent business was minimal.
On June 23, 2023, at around 11:15 PM, the department responded to a building fire on South Broadway. On arrival, fire and smoke was seen coming out of the window of the second floor. Fire was contained to the second floor and mutual aid departments were brought in for standby.
In October of 2023, Chief Moskos joined with the members of Protection Hook and Ladder Company 1 to celebrate and recognize two fifty-year members. Ex-Captain Gary Fippinger and Michael Krumenacker were bestowed the ranks of Honorary Chief and joined a group of about 25 other members who attained the rank and service.
Chief Moskos’ term came to an end, but not before a house fire on Ninth Street took the life of a local resident. The fire on December 21, 2023, was transmitted at around 6:00 AM with people trapped. On arrival the house was fully involved, and firefighters encountered a heavy clutter condition while attempting to make an entry. Numerous attempts were made but due to deteriorating conditions and due to a recent fire just a few months earlier, Chief Moskos had crews back out due to their safety. After the fire was knocked down, firefighters reentered and found the resident on the 1st floor who succumbed to smoke inhalation.
In August of 2023, the New York State Department of Labor opened an investigation into the department and its compliance with the fire brigade and other relevant standards. The job of enforcing safety standards lies with the State Department of Labor’s Public Employee Health and Safety (PESH) bureau, which relies on federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules. Under state law, volunteer firefighters, when acting in that role, are considered public employees and are required to meet safety training requirements like those of paid employees. Chief Moskos worked with the Board of Fire Commissioners, and they worked through various documents, policies and programs. PESH did find several areas that needed improvement, and the department was given time to rectify the targeted areas. Chief Moskos had Ex-Chief Patrick McGeough, the District Pre-Planner, sit with PESH and the entire process of working with PESH to meet compliance. The overall goal was to ensure that firefighters were safe.
Under Chief Moskos’ term the Hicksville Fire Department earned a prestigious national recruitment and retention award for adding more than 20 recruits in a 12-month period. The award presented by the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and sponsored by the Volunteer Fire Insurance Services Company was handed out November 9, 2023, at the IAFC's "Symposium in the Sun" in Clearwater, Fla. More than 200 departments applied for the award. Assistant Chief Michael Murphy was assigned by Moskos to launch the recruitment program which included a movie trailer at the local theater, lawn signs, career day at the local high school and an Open House.
