The New Hyde Park Fire Department, Active Hook & Ladder Company No. 1, held a gala celebration last Saturday afternoon to honor Ex-Chief and Department Chaplain John Fuerst for his 50 years of dedicated service to the department.

The festivities began with all the firemen assembling on Jericho Turnpike, in front of the New Hyde Park Fire Department, to welcome Fuerst as he arrived on the back of a fire truck, complete with sirens and lights. He then walked to the front of the firehouse with the chief and captains of the company, paused for a few minutes for a photo opportunity and then proceeded upstairs where he received citations galore and many adulations for his steadfast dedication, followed by a sumptuous dinner with all of his colleagues and family.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Ex-Chief Thomas Smith who said in his introduction that although Fuerst was born in Brooklyn he moved to a home on Stewart Avenue, in New Hyde Park and became an altar boy at Holy Spirit Church. His first two years of high school were spent commuting to Bishop Laughlin High, in Brooklyn but then he transferred to Sewanhaka High School and, according to Smith, "It's a good thing he did because he met the love of his life Sally Westler at Sewanhaka. In 1951 he went into the Army during the Korean Crisis and while he was away Sally wrote to him every day. He was, at the time, offered a lucrative career in the military, but instead he chose to be with Sally and was Honorably Discharged in January of 1953 and on February 7, 1953 he and 'love of his life' Sally were married.

"He joined the Bank of New Hyde Park in 1956 and struck up a friendship with a bank client Ralph Capiello, who urged him to join the Active Hook & Ladder Company No. 1. He often said after that he joined the Active Hook & Ladder Company because it was the oldest and most prestigious company in New Hyde Park.

"Therefore, on May 1 of 1956 he took the oath of office and shortly after that he rose the ranks to become a second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, company treasurer, a position he still holds after 20 years, deputy . Fuerst is also the Chaplain of the department, the Exempts Association Secretary, along with being the Nassau County Drill Teams Captains Association Secretary and a member of the department's Fire Police Unit.

"Both John and Sally were looking forward to this day with anticipation, but unfortunately Sally passed away a few short months ago. But, as Chaplain Eric Olsen said in his opening prayer, she is certainly here with us today."

Smith also referred to the many fires, some of them very famous, that Fuerst attended during his years as chief and in fact one such fire, a chemical fire, he was quoted on a TV nightly news report as being "under control." One fire, Smith said Fuerst remembered that he and six other firemen battled for 24 hours was so long that he and six other firefighters all went to Holy Spirit Sunday Mass in full fire regalia.

Smith also mentioned that Fuerst was a great cook and the Termites Racing Team would always end up at John and Sally's house for steaks and hamburgers. Smith added, "However, after 28 years of cooking for the team he has hung up his spatula and apron."

Smith ended his remarks by saying, 'Fuerst is truly the epitome of what a volunteer firefighter should be and a role model for all of us."