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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Mr. Williams was recently the chair of the Flanders Board of Fire Commissioners, an elected position he’s held since 2005. 

He’s been a member of the fire department since 1994, and was department’s chief from 2001 through 2003. Brian Williams was also one of the few Black fire chiefs on the East End. 

In addition to volunteering with the fire department, Mr. Williams also worked for the Southampton Town Fire Marshal’s office. Mr. Williams’ death was unexpected, and the cause of his death had yet to be determined at press time.

“Nobody could believe it,” said fellow Flanders commissioner Mike Spano.”We were all stunned. I can tell you that.” 

“His absence is going to be very much felt,” said Southampton Chief Marshal John Rankin. “He was the go-to guy for a lot of things.”

Mr. Williams most recently organized a parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Flanders Fire Department on Flanders Road. 

“He’s [Brian Williams} going to be missed, especially by the Board of Fire Commissioners,” Mr. Spano said. “He did a lot of stuff for us.”

Mr. Williams was also the president of the Southampton Commissioners and a former president of the Southampton Chiefs’ Council. 

“He died too young,” Mr. Spano said. 

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