Garden City Fire Chiefs, Officers Begin New Terms

The Garden City Fire Department’s chiefs and line and corporate officers took their oaths of office Thursday, April 26, 2018 during a brief ceremony at Village Hall.

Mayor Brian C. Daughney and Trustee John M. Delany, Fire Commissioner, did the honors.

Brian Gallo will continue serving as Chief of the Department. He will be aided during the coming year by 1st Assistant Chief Thomas Strysko, 2nd Assistant Chief Devyn Moody and 3rd Assistant Chief Neil O’Malley.

Chief Gallo, a New York City Police Detective, joined the Fire Department in 1991. He was assigned to Chemical Company, where he served two years as Lieutenant and one as Captain. He is certified in a wide range of Department operations. Chief Gallo and his wife, Allison, have three children.

First Assistant Chief Strysko has 24 years in the fire service, serving 11 years in the West Hempstead Fire Department, many of which were at the rank of Captain. He moved to Garden City with his family and did not hesitate to join the Fire Department. In his 13 years with the Garden City Fire Department, he has been an Engine Company Officer for three years and is now starting his sixth term as Assistant Chief. He is qualified on every piece of equipment and trained on the National Incident Management System. Chief Strysko is an engineer and owner of a manufacturing company and lives in the Village with his wife, Maureen, and their two teenage daughters.

Second Assistant Chief Moody joined the Department in 2010 and was assigned to Engine Company. Three years later, he transferred to Truck Company where he then served as 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain. He resides with his family in Garden City and works as a Police Aide for the Village.

Third Assistant Chief O'Malley has lived in the Village since 1995 with his wife, Sheila, and his four children. He is proud to have served as a volunteer firefighter in Garden City for nearly 19 years, including three terms as Captain. Chief O’Malley is also active in the Eastern Property Owners’ Association, completing nine years as a Director and recently chairing the seven-member Nominating Committee. Chief O’Malley is employed as a key grip in the motion picture industry. He is also an excellent golfer.

“Congratulations to you all. We wish you well and thank you for your continued involvement,” Mayor Daughney said. “Special thanks is also extended to the families of all the dedicated volunteer firefighters for sharing them with the Village and for all of the sacrifices they make to assure that we are protected.”

All photos and text by Carisa Giardino