Past Chiefs of South Hempstead Fire Department

Honoring the Leaders Who Shaped Our Legacy

The South Hempstead Fire Department stands on a foundation built by the leadership and vision of those who came before us. Our past chiefs played an essential role in shaping the department’s values, traditions, and operational excellence. Each chief brought their unique strengths to the position, guiding our members through times of challenge and growth. Their dedication to service and their commitment to protecting the community remain an enduring legacy. We honor their contributions and leadership, which continue to inspire our department today.

Thomas Fitzgerald, Sr*

1930

Richard Dewling*

1932

John Goodlin*

1936

Thomas Walker*

1937

Phillip Ekhart*

1939

William Stauffner*

1940

George Beisel*

1941

George Kletty*

1942-44

Tom Sico*

1945

Joseph Digiovanna*

1946

Thomas Fitzgerald, Jr*

1947

James T. Fisher*

1948-49, 1951-53

Henry Forrer*

1950

Joe Magilligan

1954

Henry New*

1955

William Johnston*

1956, 1958

Richard Cooke*

1957

Barto Dunigan*

1959, 1962

Theodore Jackson*

1960

George Ouwerkerk*

1961

Harry Husnik*

1963, 1965

Frank Degen*

1964

Raymond Fincken*

1966

Edward Tiffany, Jr*

1967

Robert Beam*

1968, 1970

Vincent Castelli

1969

Rudolph Rosati*

1971

Thomas E. Fitzgerald*

1972

Roger Johnson

1973-74, 1979-94

Mark Smith*

1975, 1978

Joseph F. Remy

1976

Stanley Allen

1977

Donald Spatz

1984-86, 1999

Edmund Langdon

1987

Harry S. New*

1988-90

Raymond Spatz

1990-91

Paul Cartier

1992-93, 1997

Thomas Gaynor

1994-95

Salvatore Marchese

1996

George Gaddis

1998

Steven Morelli

2000-01

Frank Russo

2002-03

Matthew Wilton

2004-05

Michael Spatz

2006-07, 2011

Charles E. Sadler

2008-09, 2020

Michael Vonnoh

2010

Luke Newbold

2012-13

Anthony DePellegrin

2014-15

Richard Turnbull

2016-17

John Kelly

2018-19

Bryant M. Carrington

2021-22

Joseph Sadler

2022-24
* Denotes Member is Deceased