Mineola, NY - June 17, 2016 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano honored Mineola Junior Firefighters for earning Youth Group of the Year from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). The 26-member department is recognized internationally as a model for other youth groups on how to create and run a successful youth-centered service organization.
More than 75 percent of junior firefighters join the ranks of one of Mineola’s three fire companies. Joining the junior volunteers were Mineola Chief Jeff Clark, Mineola Captain Neil Ressa, Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association Chairman Jerry Presta and FASNY Director Eugene Perry, Jr.
County Executive Mangano stated, “The Mineola Fire Department is advancing the next generation of volunteer firefighters and we commend them for their success. Through community service and training initiatives with fire departments, our Junior Firefighters are gaining the ultimate experience. Nassau County volunteer firefighters are the best in the nation, and that is due to the hard work and dedication that they put into protecting our residents, homes and property.”
Members of the Junior Firefighters Association are sponsored by volunteer fire departments in more than 40 communities in Nassau County. The Association was created to bring together all of the Junior Fire Departments throughout Nassau County, to promote camaraderie and community service, and to allow members to train with other departments. It’s the only organization of its kind in the United States.