EMFD Remembers Former Commissioner Michael Finkelman

The Board of Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District recently installed a plaque in memory of former Commissioner Michael L. Finkelman, who passed away in November 2019 at the age of 65.

Commissioner Finkelman’s widow, Christy Lou, his sister Jodi Ratner, and the Board of Fire Commissioners were on hand as the plaque was unveiled at the district’s offices, where other memorials are on display to honor the Board of Fire Commissioners members who died while in office.

Commissioner Finkelman is best remembered for dedicating his life to helping others. He followed his father Nelson’s footsteps and joined the East Meadow Fire Department’s Ladder Company Two, subsequently serving as company captain for two terms and later as Chief of Department in 1991 and 1996. Michael was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in 2005, winning several re-elections until his passing in 2019. In addition to his service to the fire department, Commissioner Finkelman was a longtime instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and was a Nassau County police officer for more than 30 years.

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury), is always looking for new members to join their ranks as firefighters or emergency medical personnel; no experience is necessary. The fire department provides the training required. There are numerous benefits associated with volunteering, including tax breaks, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance, and a service award pension program, all at no cost. For more information on volunteering with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com, or call 516-542-4565.