Clifford G. Davis, former chief and commissioner of the Hicksville Fire Department, died last week at the age of 75. His legacy is intricately intertwined with the legacy of the Hicksville Fire Department

"The man was totally dedicated to the Hicksville Fire Department as you can see by his record," said Owen Magee, spokesperson, Hicksville Fire Department "He represented us in quite a number of organizations . . . and was well-known and respected as testified by the large number of people who came out to pay their respects."

On the Monday following his death, over 300 fellow firefighters and friends from across Long Island came to Station House #4 to celebrate his life. The following day a funeral Mass was said at St. Ignatius Loyola Church and he was laid to rest at Plainlawn Cemetery on Old Country Road in Hicksville.

Cliff joined the department in 1948 and in just three short years was elected as 2nd Lieutenant of Company #4. In 1955 and 56 he was elected captain of Volunteer Hose Company 4. In 1972 he was elected to the board of fire commissioners, a position which he held for 25 years. Before his retirement in 1997, he had served as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners on six separate occasions.

Magee lauded Davis' vision and willingness to keep the department abreast of new technologies and equipment. He pointed to the department's Hazardous Materials Unit, the first of its kind to belong to a volunteer department on Long Island. Davis was the commissioner when the unit was formed and, after seeing numerous incidents involving combustible and toxic gases, aided in putting together the unit.

That foresight was rewarded in August, 1998, when the Hicksville Fire Department played a major role in defusing a volatile situation on the Long Island Expressway. A gas tanker had overturned and was spilling fuel onto the roadway. The HazMat Unit was called upon and was able to step in and successfully offload the gas into another tanker. The unit has been called upon in a countless number of other incidents.

"Things change and Cliff was one of the ones who was always with it," said Magee. "When he went away to conferences he would listen and bring everything back. Even though he was older he realized that things change and equipment changes and that is what is needed to do the job."

David served as a representative to many outside firematic organizations throughout his career; such as the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen's Association, the Fireman's Association of the State of New York, the South Shore Firemen's Association and served as a 9th Battalion delegate and was chairman of the Nassau County Fire Commission. Cliff was also a very active member for the New York City Burn Center. According to Magee, he tirelessly worked to raise money for the center.

Throughout Davis' career he was often cited for his tireless dedication and efforts. In 1971 he was selected by his peers as the "Fireman of the Year." Davis was named the Honorary Grand Marshal for the 1979 Labor Day Parade and Drill and almost 20 years later was an Honorary Grand Marshal for the Hicksville Community's 350th Anniversary parade and celebration.

"Over his 50-year career as a volunteer firefighter, Cliff was a true example of dedication, devotion and true spirit of volunteerism in Hicksville and across America," read a press release from the Hicksville Fire Department .