Mr. Tradeski received 206 out of 397 votes cast, defeating Dawn Jacobs, who got 142 votes, and Richard Campbell with 34.

In Manorville, incumbent Charles Steuerwald beat challenger and ex-fire chief Sal D’Amato 235 to 118. Tim Deveny won reelection in Wading River with 179 of 249 votes, and Kerri Davis ran unopposed in Jamesport.

Fire commissioner boards monitor the financial and business practices of each fire district. Their responsibilities range from proposing budgets to initiating projects to improve fire safety. The boards govern all fire companies and fire departments in a given district by adopting rules and regulations for their members.

However, they do not lead the day-to-day operations or respond to emergency situations as a fire chief would.

Mr. Tradeski, current chairman of the Riverhead Fire District board of commissioners, will begin another five-year term on Jan. 1. 

He has served as a past chief of the department and is a 48-year active member of the Riverhead Fire Department. As a commissioner, he was part of the decision to upgrade the department’s Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP).

“Looking ahead, my focus remains on supporting firefighter safety, ensuring our members have the tools, equipment, and training they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” Mr. Tradeski said in a statement on Facebook. “As our community continues to evolve, maintaining high standards of preparedness and protection is more important than ever, and I am committed to helping guide that work.”

Ms. Davis, who has been a member of the Jamesport Fire Department for over 30 years, will begin her new five-year term early next year. Nathan Edington will fill the open one-year commissioner seat on the board, which ends in December 2026.

In the race for Wading River Fire District commissioner, Mr. Deveny defeated Julio Prendergast, a career paramedic and deputy chief of EMS for Southampton Volunteer Ambulance.

Mr. Steuerwald has served as a Manorville Fire Commissioner for the last two years. He has been an active volunteer for the Manorville Fire Department for the last decade.

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From proposing budgets to initiating projects to improve fire safety, fire commissioner boards monitor the financial and business practices of each fire district but do not lead the day-to-day operations or respond to emergency situations as a fire chief would. 

The boards govern all fire companies and fire departments in a given district by adopting rules and regulations for their members. Most of the fire commissioners elected in this year’s race will serve a five-year term in their respective fire districts, starting Jan. 1, 2026, and ending Dec. 31, 2030. 

Below is a voters’ guide for all the area races.

Riverhead Fire District

The annual Riverhead Fire District commissioner election will be at the district headquarters at 540 Roanoke Ave. in Riverhead. Voters can cast their ballots for one five-year fire commissioner between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.

John Tradeski Jr., current chairman of the board of commissioners, is running for reelection. Mr. Tradeski has served as a past chief of the department and is a 48-year active member of the Riverhead Fire Department. 

As a commissioner, he was part of the decision to upgrade the department’s Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) by increasing the maximum years of service credit, improving the monthly benefit, and strengthening the funded ratio to 94.6% as of Jan. 1, 2025 — including a 10-year minimum guaranteed benefit.

Richard Campbell is a 42-year Riverhead Fire Department volunteer eyeing Mr. Tradeski’s commissioner seat. Throughout his time in the fire division, he served as captain of the fire police patrol company, as well as the company’s safety and health officer. 

He has also been a Riverhead EMT for 15 years and now operates a small business providing first aid and CPR training to businesses, organizations and private groups. He retired from working in the defense industry after 40 years. 

Dawn Jacobs is also on the candidate slate for Riverhead Fire District Commissioner. With almost three decades of emergency services experience as an EMT and firefighter, Ms. Jacobs is currently a public safety dispatcher for local police, EMS and eight area fire departments. 

Her priorities include restoring integrity, openness and trust in fire district leadership. She hopes to strike a balance between safety and accountability, which entails closely monitoring spending, eliminating unnecessary expenses and investing in resources that keep firefighters safe. 

All voters residing in the Riverhead Fire District in Riverhead, Southampton or Brookhaven towns that are registered with the Suffolk County Board of Elections are eligible to vote.

Wading River Fire District

The Wading River Fire District election is from noon to 9 p.m. at the Wading River Fire House at 1503 North Country Road. Voters will elect one fire district commissioner to serve a five-year term, starting Jan. 1, 2026, and ending Dec. 31, 2030.

Current commissioner Tim Deveny is seeking reelection. In his present role, he worked with the district manager to secure a $549,000 grant to update the Wading River Fire Department’s almost 40-year-old engine tanker and is pursuing a $620,000 grant to update a 1992 pumper. 

He has also prioritized increasing Wading River’s EMS program and supported the addition of a third ambulance in response to a spike in EMS call volume. 

Julio Prendergast is a career paramedic running for the fire district commissioner spot. He is  deputy chief of EMS for Southampton Volunteer Ambulance and an over 20-year volunteer first responder. 

If elected, some of Mr. Prendergast’s goals are to provide firefighters and EMS the resources they need to perform at the highest level, strengthen community safety through smart budgeting and ensure equipment is in mission-ready condition.  

All registered voters residing in the Wading River Fire District are eligible to vote.

Jamesport Fire District

Voters will place two votes on the ballot for the Jamesport Fire District: a single five-year fire commissioner term and then a one-year term, which ends December 2026. Polls will be open at the Jamesport Fire House at 25 Manor Lane. 

Kerri Davis is running for reelection for the five-year seat. She has been a member of the Jamesport Fire Department for over 30 years and has served one-term as fire commissioner.

There are no known candidates running for the one-year term seat, according to the fire district secretary.

All residents living within the fire district and registered with the Suffolk County Board of Elections are eligible to vote in this election. 

Manorville Fire District

Incumbent Charles Steuerwald and challenger Sal D’Amato are vying for the single five-year commissioner seat for the Manorville Fire District.

Voting will take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all three district firehouses: 14 Silas Carter Road in Manorville; 170 Cranford Blvd. in Mastic; and 40 Halsey Manor Road in Manorville.

Mr. Steuerwald has served as a Manorville Fire Commissioner for the last two years and is seeking another term. In his current role on the board, he is responsible for applying for local and federal government grants for new vehicles and equipment, as well as other fiscal decisions that don’t burden taxpayers.

Aside from being commissioner, Mr. Steuerwald has been an active volunteer for the Manorville Fire Department for the last decade.

His opponent, Mr. D’Amato, is an ex-fire chief with over 30 years of service in the Manorville community. He has experience with department budget management and resource allocation, and understands challenges such as maintaining staff, training, equipment and long-term planning.

If elected, Mr. D’Amato aims to provide transparent decision-making, modernize equipment and facilities, proactively seek out grant funding and prepare the Manorville Fire Department for future growth and emergency demands.

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A majority of the races were unopposed, however, three districts were contested: Wading River, Manorville and Southold. Most of the candidates ran for a five-year term, while others intended for one- or two-year spots.  

From proposing budgets to initiating projects to improve fire safety, fire commissioner boards monitor the financial and business practices of each fire district but do not lead the day-to-day operations or respond to emergency situations as a fire chief would. 

The boards govern all fire companies and fire departments in a given district by adopting rules and regulations for the members. Below are the winners of each fire district election. 

The post Fire Commissioner election results: former police chief Hegermiller defeats Culhane in Wading River appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

A majority of the races are unopposed, however, three districts are being contested: Wading River, Manorville and Southold.

From proposing budgets to initiating projects to improve fire safety, fire commissioner boards monitor the financial and business practices of each fire district but do not lead the day-to-day operations or respond to emergency situations as a fire chief would. 

The boards govern all fire companies and fire departments in a given district by adopting rules and regulations for the members. Below is a voters’ guide for all the area races.

RIVERHEAD FIRE DISTRICTS 

Riverhead Fire District 

• Current board chairman Edward Carey Jr. is running unopposed for a five-year term. 
• All registered voters residing in the Towns of Riverhead, Southampton and Brookhaven are eligible to vote. 
• Voting will take place from 3 p.m to 9 p.m. at the fire district headquarters located at 540 Roanoke Ave. in Riverhead. 
• There are no propositions on the ballot this year.

Wading River Fire District 

• Vice chairman Terrence Culhane and former Riverhead police chief David Hegermiller are vying for the five-year role as commissioner.
• Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. at the Wading River Fire House, 1503 North Country Rd. in Wading River. 
• There are no propositions in this election. 

Jamesport Fire District

• John Newman is running for a five-year term as fire commissioner. 
• There is a proposition on the ballot concerning an adjustment of the Jamesport Fire District Service Program length.
• Voters will decide on an increased monthly payment from $20 to $25 and lowering the entitlement age to 62-years-old for certain volunteers. 
• The fire district’s current contribution to the Length of Service Award Program Trust Fund is roughly $175,000 annually, plus yearly administrative costs of approximately $5,750. 
• If the resolution is approved, future contributions would increase to nearly $205,000 per year, plus annual administrative costs of approximately $6,000. 
• Voting will be held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m at the Jamesport Firehouse, 25 Manor Lane, Jamesport.

Manorville Fire District 

• Incumbent William Costello and challenger Michael W. Vetack are running for the five-year fire term as commissioner. 
• Voting will take place from 3 p.m to 9 p.m. at three local firehouses: 14 Silas Carter Rd. in Manorville, 170 Cranford Blvd. in Mastic and 40 Halsey Manor Rd. in Manorville. 
• There are no propositions for this election. 

NORTH FORK FIRE DISTRICTS

Mattituck Fire District 

• Current fire commissioner board member Edward Hanus is running for a five-year term.  
• Voters can cast ballots at the Mattituck Fire House at 1000 Pike Street between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. 
• There are no propositions on this year’s ballot. 

Cutchogue Fire District 

• Fire Commissioner Michael Finnican is running for another five-year term. 
• Voting will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cutchogue Fire District Annex at 32470 Main Road in Cutchogue. 
• There are no propositions on the ballot. 

Southold Fire District

• There are two fire commissioner seats up for election this year, including one two-year term and one five-year term.
• Current chairman William Salmon is running for a five-year term. 
• The vacant two-year seat was previously held by Thomas Grattan, Sr. who passed away in February. His son, Thomas Grattan Jr., is running for that seat against challenger, Catherine Wilinski.
• Voting will take place between 6 p.m and 9 p.m. at the Southold Firehouse, 55135 Main Rd. in Southold.

East Marion Fire District 

• Bill Anderson will be running for a second term as fire commissioner, a position he has held for the last five years.
• Voting will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the East Marion Firehouse at 9245 Main Road in East Marion. 
• No propositions are on the ballot.

Orient Fire District 

• Two commissioner positions are open this year: Grayson Murphy is running for a five-year term and Jessica Harris is running for a one-year term. 
• Voters can cast ballots from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. at the Orient Firehouse, 23300 Main Rd. in Orient.

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