Elections for Hicksville Fire District will take place Tuesday, Dec. 11. Residents can vote for their candidate of choice between 4 and 9 p.m. at one of two locations: fire department headquarters, located on East Marie Street, or Station #4, located on Levittown Parkway.

This year, John Keyer and William Thunell, both lifelong residents with over three decades of fire department involvement each, are seeking election to the Hicksville Board of Fire Commissioners. Both are vying for the one open seat, a five-year term, being vacated Dec. 31 by William McKee.

The following are profiles on Keyer and Thunell.

John Keyer has been a resident of Hicksville for 51 years and a member of the Hicksville Fire Department for 33 years. Keyer has been employed as a Nassau County Correction Officer for 13 years and prior worked for the Hicksville Water District.

In addition to being a former 1st and 2nd lieutenant and captain of Company #5, Keyer is a Certified New York State Haz-Mat Specialist and member of Hicksville's Hazardous Material Team for 22 years. Over the years, Keyer has served on various department committees and has attended FDIC Instructor Training and firematics conferences. He has also been involved with the Fire Prevention Committee (Smoke Trailer) and Explorer Post 930 (Junior Fire Department). Additionally, Keyer is president of the Duffy Park Civic Association, vice president of the Hicksville Community Council and advancement chairman of Boy Scout Troop 930, a troop he worked with the fire district to charter eight years ago and for which he served seven years as Scoutmaster. To date, 19 young men have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

If elected fire commissioner, Keyer said he will "continue to promote fire safety programs and informational programs for the various groups within the community." As a resident of Hicksville for 51 years and homeowner/taxpayer for nearly 30 years, Keyer said he takes pride in the community. "[I] have been working with other community organizations toward the betterment of Hicksville," said Keyer. "Incorporating the many organizations in Hicksville to work together can only create a better quality community."

Also, as commissioner, Keyer said he would work with the board to continue its "liaison with the county and state in the acquiring of property to build a training facility for our members." "This would be a very beneficial addition to our training program," he said.

Keyer believes he is the candidate of choice for fire commissioner because he "takes pride in both the fire department and our community." "As your next Hicksville Fire Commissioner I will work with the other commissioners and the community leaders to enhance relations between the Hicksville Fire District and the Hicksville community and make sure the highest level of training and safest equipment are available to each volunteer while regulating our tax dollars for that purpose," Keyer said.

The candidate views the fire district as an essential community service that supports the safety and security of everyone who lives in our district. "As an active firefighter and an involved community member, I feel it is important to make sure the volunteers receive the highest level of training and the safest equipment that can be offered while making sure the community recognizes what is essential to bring that safety and security to our town of Hicksville while regulating our tax dollars in the most efficient way to achieve these goals," Keyer said.

William "Spike" Thunell has been a resident of Hicksville for 56 years and a member of the Hicksville Fire Department for 36 years.

Growing up, Thunell attended Hicksville school and graduated from Hicksville High School in 1964. He went on to study at Morehead State College in Kentucky and then Nassau Community College. Thunell worked for 35 years working in community service at KeySpan Energy and retired at the rank of supervisor.

Thunell joined the Hicksville Fire Department's Hose Company #4 in April 1971. In 1973, he became a New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and in 1975 became one of Hicksville's first Advanced Medical Technicians (AMT). In addition to being a longstanding member of the fire department, Thunell has held numerous leadership positions. He was elected lieutenant of Company #4 in 1976 and served in that capacity for four years. In 1980, he was elected captain and served in that position for four years. In January 2000, Thunell was elected as the 61st chief of department and served in that role for two years. He is also a longstanding member of the department's Haz-Mat team and has, over the years, served as a training instructor, instrumental in formulating many of the Hicksville Fire Department's current standard operating procedures.

Thunell said he is qualified to be fire commissioner because of his fire department experience as well as his dedication to the fire service, Hicksville residents and the community. "As a past chief of department, I have tremendous support from the membership of the department," said Thunell, adding that, if elected, he will "continue to work closely with the community and district to further enhance our relationship."

Thunell said he is focusing his campaign on ways to enhance community awareness and continued efforts to improve harmony between the district and the department. According to the candidate, his involvement with Hicksville Fire service for nearly four decades has given him many opportunities to work with the board of fire commissioners.

In terms of improvements, Thunell said he would like to see the district maintain a close relationship with the community and department. "Open communication is the key to success," said Thunell.

While he doesn't see many major issues facing the district at this time, Thunell said the Hicksville Fire District and the Hicksville Fire Department are "separate entities who must work together and communicate to resolve any and all issues that may arise."

According to Thunell, his past fire service experiences make him the candidate of choice. "My adult life has been total dedication to the community through my service to the Hicksville Fire Department as a firefighter, fire company officer, chief officer," he said. "I would like to continue as a commissioner for the district."