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West Islip Fire Commissoner's race Tuesday
In addition, incumbent Commissioner Kevin Shaughnessy is running unopposed for another five year term. Shaughnessy holds the position for the past ten years and said that the district has managed to hold down taxes for two years, while still moving forward to protect the community. "We're holding the line," he said, adding that the department has initiated a new communication system and is exploring a program of in-house maintenance of fire department equipment to help reduce costs. "This will literally save the taxpayers thousands of dollars," Shaughnessy said. To those running, he has this advice: "Be responsible and give the best service." The candidates seeking Caggiongi's seat are: SALVATORE CELESTE Celeste is a 42-year resident of West Islip and is an active member of the West Islip Fire Department for the past 13 years. He began in the Mohawk Engine Company, but is now a member of the Rescue Squad. He served in 2000 as the captain of the squad and is an active EMT for the past 12 years. He currently serves as acting captain of the Rescue Squad and received citations for his work. He was also recognized by the Suffolk County Division of Emergency Medical Services for volunteering his services as an EMT and spent ten years as a Suffolk County Auxiliary Police Officer in West Islip. He has additional training on equipment protocol.
Celeste is married for 32 years and raised two children in West Islip. He has been a Den Leader and Cub Master for Cub Scout Pack 83. ROBERT COPPOLA A 30-year member of the Union Hook and Ladder, Heavy Rescue #4, Coppola went through the West Islip school district. He is married and said he enjoyed raising his family in West Islip and sending his children through the system. He was an officer of the Rescue Squad for six years and is currently a training officer and EMT instructor. He is a leader of the HAZMAT team which provides training for volunteers in dealing with hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction. He is the 2nd Vice President of the Islip Town Volunteer Fireman Association and holds a position on the Board in Islip Town Fire Museum. Coppola received honors in 2006 from Suffolk County for his work in the EMS training.
If elected, he said he will work to provide more classes in babysitting and CPR training. "I will try to make the fire department more accessible to the public," he said. DARREN DRINKWATER Drinkwater will also bring his 15 years of business background to the position. He is currently employed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics where his responsibilities include working with multimillion dollar budgets and contracts, ensuring that they are brought in on time and on budget. He is a 30-plus year resident of West Islip and has a young family, which is his driving force to connect with the community.
Drinkwater is a member of the department since 1991 and serves with the Mohawk Engine Co. For the past three years he has been with the Rescue Squad and Hook and Ladder. He has a Meritorious Award for saving a life in 1997 and is a qualified operator on virtually all the equipment at the West Islip Fire Department. He has also served in various capacities within the department including as a water rescue diver, a Marine Division boat operator, and is a member on the Board of Trustees for the West Islip Fire Department Benevolent Association. Drinkwater currently holds a high level security clearance with the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense. STEVEN FAISST Faisst is a member of the Vanguard Engine Corp. #1 and is a department volunteer for six years. He holds the position of secretary in the Vanguard Engine Company. For the past three years, he has been a trainer with the department's Ice Rescue Team. A resident for 16 years, he said he would like to bring his 23 years of management to the position. He was self-employed for eight years and worked for Lanco Corp. for 15 years. He holds an engineer's position at Southern Wine and Spirts in Syosset. The calls for the district have swelled, calling for increased demand for more equipment, he said. "I want to give the taxpayers a better quality of care. I want to bring my business experience to the board and work to avoid having to go to the taxpayers for increases," he said. The West Islip Fire Department serves 43,000 residents and responds to approximately 12,000 calls for assistance a year .The operating budget is $3.3 million.
The vote will be held at the firehouse 309 Union Blvd., West Islip on December 11 between 1 and 9 p.m.
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