North Massapequa Fire Commissioner Chairman Frank Nocerino is running unopposed for a fourth term on the five-member board of commissioners. The election will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8.

The commissioner, who also 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, said he's very proud of the volunteer-run department and the work it has done over the past 15 years since he was first elected commissioner.

"What we've done so far in my three terms, is make the North Massapequa Fire Department a very progressive fire department," he said.

Nocerino said he believes North Massapequa residents are proud of its fire department, as well. Residents, he said, have been supportive and have had very few complaints over the past few years. In fact, he said the board's commissioners, who serve five year terms, are rarely opposed when running for re-election, a fact he says can be attributed to a community which believes it has been well-served by its fire department.

"Other than an open position that was run for two years ago, it's been a long time since we got competition, so obviously the firemen are very happy with us, obviously the taxpayers are, too," said Nocerino.

Aside from his volunteer fire service, Nocerino 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 North Massapequa resident since 1964, Nocerino said the fact that he was elected to the positions of second vice president of the New York State Association of Fire Districts and chairman of the 6th battalion in Nassau County is also a reflection of the strength of the entire department, including its members, chiefs and other board members.

Still, Nocerino added that while he and his colleagues are proud of the fire service they provide, it does have a price.

"Unfortunately, we can't control the taxes," he said. "In order to get good fire service, good protection, you have to also pay for good protection; nothing comes for nothing."

Well-trained volunteer firefighters, a tactical rescue team, top-notch, modern equipment and a newly-acquired medical car are worth the cost to the taxpayers, said Nocerino, and according to him, they are not complaining.

"The taxpayers are very cooperative in North Massapequa; they're very proud of their fire department," he said.

The fire commissioners are responsible for ensuring that the firefighters are well-trained and that they have everything they need to properly do their jobs. According to Nocerino, however, while the board is responsible for making fiscal decisions for the fire district, its powers are limited by a system of checks and balances, including legislative restrictions on spending and taxpayer approval of certain expenditures and actions.

"We just can't go out and decide tomorrow that we're going to take all the firemen to Hawaii," he said. "It doesn't work that way. The fire district is controlled."

Nocerino said taxpayers have shown their support over the years by approving expenditures such as the Service Award Program. The program rewards long-time members of the fire department when they turn 60 years old with a monthly allowance equal to $20 per year served in the fire department. When the program was originally initiated, the minimum age for recipients was 65. Residents later approved the change to 60. This, Nocerino said, is indicative of how residents feel about the department and its members, chief and board members.