As a child, North Massapequa Fire Commissioner Frank Nocerino dreamed of one day being a fireman, a dream that ranks up there with doctor, movie star and baseball player as a common childhood aspiration. He was 18 when he achieved his goal by becoming a volunteer fire fighter in North Massapequa and by the age of 29, he was chief, another dream he carried for years. Several titles and appointments later, he's topped most of his dreams and goals. But, according to Nocerino, it's not time to slow down. There's always another rung of the ladder to reach for.

Nocerino currently holds the titles of second vice president of the New York State Association of Fire Districts and chairman of the 6th battalion in Nassau County. Closer to home, he's chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Massapequa Fire District, a title he's held for 15 years. He worked his way up the ranks of the North Massapequa department, starting as a member in 1973. Lieutenant, captain and assistant chief were all positions he held on his way to becoming chief in 1981, a title he's particularly proud to have had since it's earned through obtaining the support and confidence of colleagues.

He worked his way up the Nassau County Association of Fire Districts, as well, from director, to second vice president, first vice president and finally president. Nocerino was also granted the North Massapequa Fire Department Life Saving Award and the American Lung Society's Breath of Life Award for his involvement in saving a family from a life-threatening fire.

Titles, awards and recognition aside, Nocerino said the biggest motivation for all of his work in fire service is helping people.

"I don't do things just for fame. I don't do things to have a title," he said, "I do things because I want to make things better."

Still, while Nocerino may have spent over 25 years working as a volunteer in fire service, it has been only one aspect of a very full life. Nocerino, who has four children with wife Geralyn, worked in the circulation department of Newsday for 20 years and has been the chairman of the fire advisory board and fire prevention instructor for the Town of Oyster Bay for the past five years. He was also appointed chairman of the Republic Airport Commission in 1995, a position he still holds. Despite all his work and fire service responsibilities, he said he also finds time to attend his children's sporting events and even coaches high school sports.

Nocerino, a North Massapequa resident since 1964, credits much of his success to the support of his family. "With anything you get involved in, you have to have your family support," he said. "Without your family support, it's not an easy task."

Even with family support the tasks Nocerino takes on are not likely to be easy ones. "Being a fire commissioner is not a nine to five job," he said. "Its 24 hours, 365 days a year," and for no pay.

According to Nocerino, the five fire commissioners in the North Massapequa district carry a heavy responsibility. The commissioners are responsible for making sure the volunteers are properly trained and have all the resources they need to be prepared.

"I'm very proud of North Massapequa," said Nocerino whose fire service experience spans state and local levels. "I know that the taxpayers in this district can put their heads on their pillows every night knowing that we're there to protect them. Whether its EMS or fire, we're there and our guys are trained. I know this stands for all the volunteer fire service."

Nocerino exudes pride when talking about people in fire service, frequently making mention of the fact that money is not the incentive. For the majority of them, he said "the reward is honor and glory. . . In volunteer fire service, they don't think about their own lives when they are going to save someone else's life. It's spontaneous."

Although, he is no longer on the front line of fire fighting, the bottom line is the same for Nocerino. "Whether it's as a vice president, a chief, a lieutenant or whatever, it's a trickle-down effect. The ultimate people that benefit from everything from the top down are the taxpayers, your family and your kids," he said.

Meanwhile, Nocerino aspires to continue his ascent up the ladder by taking his turn as president of the New York State Association of Fire Districts in a few years.

"I obtained the highest rank in the fire department. I could sit back and say 'Guys, you know, I've done it all. Let all the young guys do it.' But if everybody said that, everybody would be sitting back and doing nothing."