Halesite Fire Department Adds New Members

The gained eight new members this week.

They were sworn in Wednesday night by Larry Northcote, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

Sworn in Wednesday were:
Carolyn Corkett, Brad Gaito, Jessica Kitzen, Steve Lapp,
Stephen Medici, Lucy Oppenheim, Jason Oppenheim, and Sara Smith. Eldon Smith joined the department last month.

The newest additions created one of the largest new classes the department has had in several years.

 They were congratulated by the rest of the board, District Secretary/Treasurer, Bonnie Sammis, and Halesite's chief, Andy Magerle.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the new members participated in an orientation that involved the issuance of new pagers, firefighting gear, and a review of Halesite's basic procedures.

Halesite's new class of probationary members will go through rigorous training. Those electing to be firefighters will complete formal training given by the Suffolk County Fire Academy. Rescue-only members will complete the county EMT course. All members will attend in-house training that will eventually qualify them to respond to Halesite's emergency needs.