Chief Richard A. Messina of the Bellmore Fire Department was sworn in as president of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs during the 106th Annual Conference Installation Ceremony on June 16, 2012, at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y. He will serve a one-year term leading the organization.
Messina has been a member of the Bellmore Fire Department since 1965, serving as chief from 1979-1980. Presently, he serves as secretary of the Fire Chiefs Council of Nassau County, 1st vice president of the Nassau County Firemen’s Association, and on the board of directors of the New York State Division of the Firefighters Cancer Support Network. Messina is also a past president of the Executive Council of Firematic Associations of Nassau County. He joined NYSAFC in 1977 and has served as a sergeant-at-arms and as a member of the Annual Conference Committee. Messina served as a vice chairman of the committee from 1998 until he was elected to the board of directors in 2002.
His late father, Anthony J. "Andy" Messina of the Bellmore Fire Department, served NYSAFC as president from 1990-1991. This marks the first time in the 108-year history of the association that a father and son have served the organization in the office of president.
Also during the Installation Ceremony, Chief John M. Tighe of the City of Corning Fire Department was sworn in as 1st vice president and Chief Donald J. Corkery of the Sayville Fire Department was sworn in as 2nd vice president. Both will serve one-year terms.
Chief Joseph M. Fahd Jr., Chief Robert P. Parese, and Chief Harold J. "Bud" Phillips were sworn in and will serve three-year terms as paid directors.
Chief Thomas M. Cain of the Scarsdale Fire Department joined the board of directors this year. He will serve a three-year term as the career director.
Congratulations to the 2012-2013 officers of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs!
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs