William J. Neill, Philip Fertitta Elected East Meadow Fire District Commissioners

William J. Neill was reelected to a five-year term to the East Meadow Fire District’s Board of Commissioners at the annual fire district elections held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and Ex-Chief Philip Fertitta was elected to a one-year term to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner James Surless, who passed away in October 2024.

Commissioner Neill is a lifelong resident of East Meadow with an exemplary record of service to the community during his 50-year membership in the East Meadow Fire Department. He joined Engine Company #3 in 1975, where he was elected Captain in 1985. In 1986, he was elected Assistant Chief, and in 1989, Chief of Department. Commissioner Neill was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in 1995, assuming office on January 1, 1996.

Ex-Chief Fertitta is a 29-year resident of the community with more than 33 years as an active and dedicated member of the fire service. He served five terms as Captain of Engine Company #1, eight years as a Chief Officer in the fire department and proudly served as Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department for two terms (2019-19 and 2023-24). Ex-Chief Fertitta will serve out the balance of the term (one year) left by the vacancy of Commissioner Surless.

The Board of Fire Commissioners is an unpaid five-member body elected to five-year terms by registered voters within the fire district. Their primary responsibilities, as established by New York State law, include levying taxes and adopting budgets to fund the East Meadow Volunteer Fire Department’s operations and maintenance. Commissioners approve the purchase of apparatus and safety equipment needed to fight fires and provide emergency medical and rescue services.

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury), is always looking for new members to join their ranks as firefighters or emergency medical personnel; no experience is necessary. The fire department provides the training required. There are numerous benefits associated with volunteering, including tax breaks, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance, and a service award pension program, all at no cost. For more information on volunteering with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com, or call 516-542-4565.