Sitting with me in the firehouse is James Hickman. James joined a volunteer fire department in North Carolina back in 1977. When he moved to New York in 1983, he joined the Floral Park Fire Department; starting in Reliance Engine Co. #2. After a couple of years James transferred to the Rescue Co. and has been there ever since. In 1993 James was hired with Firecom as Operator 48. He later moved over to the Fire Marshal Office and he is still there to this day! James started as a Fire Marshal in the General Inspection Division then transferred to the Hazmat Division. In 2001 he transferred to the Investigation Division where he has primarily been since then. James describes his overall experience with the Fire Service as "always being very good him." He says he has gained many friends from the very start that he is very proud and happy to say that he still has today. Family is the most important thing to James. Him and his wife are expecting their first grandchild this fall!

Continue to follow James' journey via instagram @Papahickman

Sitting with me in the firehouse is Chief Mike Gordon. Chief Mike Gordon is the 1st African American Chief and the 3rd assistant chief of the Freeport Fire Department. He is also ex captain of Hose company #5 11 year member.

You can continue to follow his journey on Instagram @mgordon215, comedy page @mgtheentertainer.

If anyone interested in recruiting can contact @fortpache5 on instagram and
Hose Company #5 on Facebook!

Sitting with me in the firehouse is Chief Dudley. Chief Dudley joined North Lindenhurst FD as a junior firefighter September 1989, the Lindenhurst Fire Department 3/3/92 and was an active member until 4/12/99. Soon after he joined the North Lindenhurst FD where he was assigned to Engine & Heavy Rescue Co.1. He was elected 2nd Lieutenant in 2003, elected 1st Lieutenant in 2004 and elected Captain 2005. Chief Dudley continued to grow in the field as he went on to being elected 2nd Deputy Chief 2007 (ran unopposed), elected 1st Deputy Chief 2008-2009, elected Chief of the Department 2009-2011 and elected Captain 2017.

In his professional work life, this month has made 30 years of him being an Emergency Service Dispatcher. Since June of 2019 he has been serving on the Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees (AME) the union which represents 10,000 active and retired employees of the Suffolk County workforce in 924 different job titles and is NY Largest independent union and is currently the Executive Vice President of the organization.

Chief Dudley has served several times as the fill in host on Suffolk AME's weekly radio program “Suffolk Matters” heard on WALK FM and its partner stations and on YouTube, with a listening audience of 800,000.

He joined the Farmingville FD 2/10/20 where he was assigned to Lightning Engine Co.3, was a member of Babylon Central Fire Alarm from 8/8/94-12/31/07 and now with the Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services.

Sitting with me in "The Firehouse" today is former Chief Hugh Lacy. Raised in Hempstead, Hugh ventured to Boston for higher education, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Brandeis University and an MBA in Information Technology from Bentley University. After acquiring a wealth of knowledge, he returned to New York and has dedicated the last 19 years to the fire service. A few years ago, he reached the pinnacle of his career, achieving the highest rank as Chief of Department for the Uniondale Fire Department.

Being a firefighter is often a thankless job, demanding immense dedication and bravery with little public recognition. Firefighters plunge into perilous situations to save lives and protect property, often at great personal risk. Yet, their heroism is frequently taken for granted, overshadowed by the routine nature of their duties. Hugh, like many in the service, exemplifies the selfless commitment that defines the true spirit of firefighting. His story is not just one of professional achievement but also a testament to the quiet resilience and unwavering courage that characterizes the best of this noble profession.

Sitting with me in the firehouse is Ex-Chief Jean Laurent from the Uniondale Fire Department. Jean grew up in the very town he now serves, embodying the spirit of community and dedication from a young age. His journey from a local resident to the chief of the department is a testament to his commitment and bravery.

As Chief, Jean demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage, earning him a reputation as one of the best chiefs Uniondale has ever had. His deep-rooted connection to the town and unwavering dedication to its safety and well-being have made him a beloved figure in the community. Jean's tenure as Chief was marked by his hands-on approach and his ability to inspire and lead his team through challenging times.

Host Chris Moses expresses his admiration for Jean, highlighting how his leadership has left a lasting impact on the department and the community. "Jean is one of the best chiefs Uniondale has ever had," says Chris. "His bravery, dedication, and love for this town are unparalleled. We're honored to have him with us today to share his experiences and insights."

Jean's story is one of resilience, service, and a deep-seated love for his community, making him not just a firefighter, but a true hero in the eyes of Uniondale.

Sitting in the firehouse is Bill Wade. Bill has been involved with volunteering in Nassau County since September of 1983. He joined the South Side Hose 2 in Oceanside, LI and just finished his term as Chief of the Point Lookout-Lido FD in April of 2024!

Sitting in the firehouse is Eric McEvoy. Eric has been a South Hempstead department member for over 7 years. He has held the rank of Lieutenant and is now in his second year of captain. He has held various roles on committees and is a full time Police Officer.

Sitting in the firehouse is Chief Charles "Charlie" Hendry born in 1971 and attended St. Ladislaus in Hempstead and St. Martha's in Uniondale for grade school, followed by Holy Trinity HS, graduating in 1989. He joined HFD in 1989, served in various roles including Ex-Captain of Harper Hook and Ladder 1, and became Hempstead Chief from 2008-2017. Currently, he's HFD Chief of Training. Also, a NYS Fire Instructor since 2007, he aids in social media management for HFD and related pages.