A retired New York City fire captain is running unopposed Tuesday to replace his brother on the New Hyde Park Fire District Board of Commissioners.
Michael Stein, 60, is seeking his first five-year term on the five-member board. His brother, Commissioner Richard Stein, said he is stepping down after 10 years due to health issues.
“I have a lot of background that I think would help the department in its day-to-day issues,” said Michael Stein, a lifelong New Hyde Park resident.
Michael Stein was a New Hyde Park firefighter for five years before starting his 25-year career with the FDNY, he said.
Before he retired, he was the captain of the FDNY’s research and development team, where he helped developed a radio strengthening the department’s high-rise communications, one of the department’s major shortcomings in its response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he said.
Michael Stein also developed a command board to help chiefs oversee department operations, which he donated to the New Hyde Park Fire Department,
Stein said his experience as both a firefighter and a manager will allow him to help the fire district give “the best service to the taxpayer at the lowest budget we can.”
One of the district’s most important tasks will be maintaining a full pipeline of volunteers to fill the fire department’s ranks in coming years, Stein said.
The fire department’s manpower and response times are among the best, Stein said, but strong relationships with neighboring fire departments will be important to keeping membership strong, especially as departments increasingly help each other respond to emergencies.
“I think it’s always going to be a team effort, no matter what you do, that you have to work together,” Stein said.
Richard Stein, a retired deputy chief inspector for the FDNY and 45-year New Hyde Park firefighter, touted the department’s construction of a two-story structure for training at the department headquarters.
The board has also loosened some restrictions on firefighters, which has been “a big advantage to the men,” Richard Stein said.
“We changed a lot of the rules and it’s worked out very good,” he said.
The Board of Commissioners may also appoint a replacement for Commissioner James Nagy, who died at 78 in October.
Nagy, a former New Hyde Park fire chief who served the department for more than 40 years, rejoined the board in 2014 after serving from 1987 to 2000. He was the father-in-law to Commissioner Michael Bonura, who was re-elected last year.
“He was a dedicated person,” said Richard Stein, who served on the board with Nagy for about three years.
If the board appoints Nagy’s successor, that person will serve a one-year term and run again for a full term next year, Richard Stein said.
The board may also leave the seat open until the next election, he said.
The New Hyde Park Fire District serves the Village of New Hyde Park and unincorporated North New Hyde Park.
Its 2017 budget is about $4.2 million. The five fire commissioners are unpaid.
Polls will be open for the Board of Commissioners election from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the New Hyde Park Fire Department headquarters, 1555 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park.
