Smithing sworn in as Williston fire chief

Richard Tedesco

For Williston Park Fire Department Chief Gary Smithing, there was little question that he would join the fire department.

“There was no decision to join. It’s in my blood. It’s in my DNA,” Smithing said.

Earlier this month, Smithing was sworn in as chief on the department – on the 35th anniversary of the day he joined the department.

It was the third time Smithing took the lead of the volunteer department along with previous stints as 1st assistant and 2nd assistant.

“It feels like I have a job and I want to do it. I want to make the community a little safer and make the world a better place,” he said.

The fire station has always been a home away from home for Smithing.

He grew up on Sheridan Avenue, just six blocks away from the Williston Park firehouse. 

And when he was younger, he said, he spent a lot of time hanging out there with his stepfather, Tom Mahoney, a long-time member and of the department and its chief in 1984.

A lifelong Williston Park resident, Smithing works full-time as supervising fire marshal of the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, where he said he’s worked for the past 26 years.

Smithing was 18 years old and still attending Mineola High School when he joined the Williston Park Hook and Ladder Floodlight Co. 2 in 1979 at his stepfather’s suggestion because “they had an opening.” 

In the intervening years, he became a member of the Rescue Squad, earning certification as an emergency medical technical in 1979 and an advanced medical technician in 1980.

“A large percentage of our calls are rescue or emergency calls. It seemed to be the thing to do,” he said.

Smithing was recognized as the Williston Park Fire Department Rescue Squad Man of the Year in 1994 and has earned two life-saving bars from the department. 

He also earned an award for meritorious conduct from the Nassau County Fire Commission in 1993 when he and a fellow firefighter resolved a problem with a gas leak in Williston Park.

He also received a Call of the Year commendation from the Williston Park Fire Department Rescue Squad for responding to the gas leak. 

Smithing has twice received the Rescue Squad’s outstanding service award, in 1991 and 1997. He also received a certificate of recognition for Call of the Year in 1996.  

When he’s not working in the fire marshal’s office, he teaches classes at the Nassau County Fire Academy. He said that since beginning to teach in 2000, he’s focused on instructing young firemen to not get excited and just do their job.

“There’s something about teaching guys with five years or less how to put out a fire in a building that’s actually burning. It’s fun,” Smithing said. “It‘s great when you sit down and critique what they’ve done and there’s that ‘Aha’ moment on their face.”

Smithing has also been a department instructor in Williston Park since 1994.

He said he’s saved a number of his neighbors’ lives, but  cannot say how many or recount any particular rescue situations.

“To me, it was just another call and doing my job,” he said.

Smithing is a member of the International and New York Associations of Fire Chiefs, the Fire Department Safety Officers Association and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

“The most satisfying thing is when you walking down the street and somebody walks over to you and says ‘Thank you so much for coming with the ambulance the other day’,” Smithing said. “That‘s what it’s about. Helping your neighbors.”

He and his wife, Kristin, have two daughters, Carrie, 14, Carrie and Mary, 24.

When he’s not spending time with his children, he said he enjoys woodcarving and camping with his wife. He said he also likes to ski and hunt, but said it’s been a while since he’s had time to do either.

Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.

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