Mayor, Fire Commissioner Swear In Chiefs, Line Officers

The Garden City Fire Department’s chiefs and line and corporate officers took their oaths of office Wednesday, April 20, 2022 during ceremonies at Village Hall. Mayor Cosmo Veneziale and Trustee Bruce Torino, appointed Fire Commissioner, did the honors.

Matthew F. Pearn will serve as Chief of the Department. He will be aided during the coming year by 1st Assistant Chief James Taunton, 2nd Assistant Chief Jonathan Parrella and 3rd Assistant Chief Devyn Moody, immediate past Chief of Department.

Chief Pearn has served the Garden City Fire Department for the past 13 years. He spent five of those years as a line officer; three years with Engine Company, having obtained the rank of Captain and two years as a Lieutenant in Truck Company. During his tenure, he has served on various Committees and continues to serve on the Driver Training, SOG and Fund Drive Committees. Always looking to enhance his skills and knowledge, Chief Pearn has taken numerous courses over the years provided by both New York State and Nassau County Fire Service Academies, including NIMS 100, 200, 300, 700, 800, Carbon Monoxide Response & Air Monitoring, Principles of Instruction, Introduction to Fire Officer, Apparatus Pump Operator, Vehicle Extrication, Hazardous Materials Operations, LIRR Safety & Awareness, & Fire Ground Communications. A graduate of Garden City High School, Chief Pearn attended Loyola University, earning a degree in business. He is currently working for JP Morgan in its Investment Bank.

First Assistant Chief Taunton moved from Valley Stream to Garden City in 2000, where he attended Garden City High School and graduated in 2006. In 2010, he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Nursing from Adelphi University. Currently, Assistant Chief Taunton is working at NYU Winthrop as an Assistant Nurse Manager in the Electrophysiology/Cath Lab. He has been part of the Garden City Fire Department since 2012 and has rapidly ascended the ranks, serving the last three years as Captain of Truck Company. In addition to his wide range of experience in both the Fire Department and working at NYU Winthrop Hospital, Assistant Chief Taunton is now also taking classes towards a Master’s degree in Emergency Management from Adelphi University.

Second Assistant Chief Parrella has more than two decades in the fire service, serving more than 16 years in the Hempstead Fire Department as Lieutenant and Captain. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Chief Parrella moved to Garden City with his family and did not hesitate to join the Fire Department. In his 6+ years with the Garden City Fire Department, he was an Engine Company Officer for three years. Always looking to enhance his skills and knowledge as all of our members are, Assistant Chief Parrella has taken numerous courses over the years provided by both New York State and Nassau County Fire Service Academies, including Principles of Instruction, Apparatus Pump & Ariel Operator, Vehicle Extrication and Fire Ground Communications. Chief Parrella has a family business in town, which has been present since 1974. His wife, Deborah, is a nurse practitioner and a teacher in the Nursing program at Molloy College. His two daughters attend Garden City High School.

Third Assistant Chief Moody has served the Garden City Fire Department for the past 12 years. He is third generation of his family to be a member of the Garden City Fire Department. Before serving in the Chief’s ranks, Assistant Chief Moody was Captain, First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant of Truck Company. Assistant Chief Moody also served as Department Secretary and Assistant Secretary. He has taken numerous courses over the years provided by both New York State and Nassau County Fire Service Academies, including NIMS 100, 200, 300, 700, 800, Principles of Instruction, Apparatus Pump Operator, Aerial Operator, Vehicle Extrication, Building Construction and Fire Ground Communications.

Line Officers who also took their oaths of office include:

• Captain – Engine Company: Matthew C. Carroll

• Captain – Truck Company: Daniel L. Roeper

• 1st Lieutenant - Engine Company: Robert N. Carpentier

• 1st Lieutenant – Truck Company: Christopher K. Maier

• 2nd Lieutenant – Engine Company: Joseph A. Philippas

• 2nd Lieutenant – Truck Company: Conor T. Sproat

• Secretary: Gregory J. Barton

• Treasurer: Robert F. Kalb

• Assistant Secretary: Trey E. Wehrum

• Assistant Treasurer: Donald B. Byrne

• 1st Battalion Delegate: Lawrence E. Nedelka