Incumbent Ronald Sakowich said if re-elected as New Hyde Park Fire District commissioner, he would focus on improving and maintaining the district alongside the other commissioners. 

This year’s election on Tuesday, Dec. 12, includes Sakowich as the only candidate on the ballot. Commissioners, of whom there are five on the board, serve five-year terms that are staggered and a new seat becomes available each year. 

“I felt that I had time to volunteer and be part of the commissioners,” Sakowich said of his reason to run for the board five years ago. “I’ve always been active in the Fire Department and I just felt that I could offer something to the board with my background in business and firefighting.”

The fire district, which serves the village and unincorporated areas of New Hyde Park, has a $4.8 million budget for 2024, an increase of more than $90,000 from the current year. 

If re-elected, Sakowich would serve alongside Joe Papa, Joe Abukoush, Robert Teetz and his brother, Reid Sakowich.

During his time on the board, Sakowich said the district has been able to modernize the department, including the purchases of an aerial ladder firetruck, a pumper firetruck and two new ambulances. 

Sakowich said during a new term he would like to focus on modernizing the department’s communication system. 

Sakowich has served in the village’s Fire Department for over 50 years, joining when he was 18. He was one of 38 members recognized last year when the village unveiled a memorial wall and bronze firefighter statue for reaching half a century in the department.

He is the current president of Engine Company No. 2 and president of the department’s exemption association, a branch dedicated to those who have been injured while serving. Sakowich is also a former fire captain.

Professionally, Sakowich is a licensed master plumber and has been in the business for nearly 50 years since obtaining his license when he was 22 years old. He was born and raised in New Hyde Park, and his five grandchildren are now the sixth generation of his family in the village.

The New Hyde Park Fire Department currently has five companies, but starting next year it will switch to four, with the rescue company turning into a squad. Sakowich said the move was made to open up membership for rescue to the entirety of the department 

Sakowich said the district and department are very proud of the junior program, which started nearly a year and a half ago and has climbed from 20 to 70 members. Sakowich said increasing volunteers is imperative for the department and implored anyone interested if being a firefighter to reach out to the department.

“We’re always looking for new members,” Sakowich said. “You might not think you have the time, but come down and see what we’re about.”

Voting for New Hyde Park Fire District commissioner will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the district headquarters at 1555 Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park.