First Deputy Fire Chief George W. Anderson was sworn in by Fire Commissioner John Rottkamp as the 33rd chief of department, replacing Chief Mark Janovsky on Dec. 18. Janovsky completed an eight-year term as chief.

Chief Anderson was elected to the office of 3rd deputy chief by department members in 2002 after rising up through the ranks as company officer, lieutenant and captain of Ladder Co. 6. He is a lifelong resident of Levittown and he and his wife Missy have two daughters and one son. He has been a member of the Levittown Fire Department for 17 years. During his six years as deputy chief, Anderson served as chairman of Nassau County's Sixth Battalion Mutual Aid Chief's Association.

Chief Anderson's deputy chiefs assisting him are 1st Deputy Charles Guidice, 2nd Deputy Scott Fisher and the newly-elected 3rd Deputy Chris Behrens. His office staff is Mike Herold, recording secretary, John Gino, department secretary and ex-Chief Keith Fischer, department treasurer.

In closing out his term as chief of department, Chief Janovsky reported a total of 1,167 alarms for the year 2007 with no death or serious injury. Five hundred-thirty-two alarms were rescue calls and car crashes, 107 false alarms, 80 of which were automatic alarms. There were 36 structure fires causing damage. Chief Janovsky thanked the members and their families for the sacrifices they endured in providing service to their community.