North Massapequa Fire Department Installs First Female Fire Captain

The has installed the first female fire captain in their  77-year-history.

Deborah Nocerino, 27, was installed in a ceremony over the weekend.

Breaking all barriers, the petite new captain is fearless and determined when it comes to fires. The daughter of Fire Commissioner, Frank Nocerino, she feels that the way to climb the ladder of success is to prove that you can carry your weight in whatever field you are in.

Nocerino started fighting fires at the age of 19, against her father’s wishes who felt it was a man’s world, but she was determined to succeed.

She was in culinary school at NYIT when 9/11 happened. The passing of five firemen from the local battalion was the inspiration for her to become involved in fire fighting. She started as a volunteer firefighter and after four years was asked by the men to run as lieutenant, and has steadily risen through the ranks, now with her father’s approval and admiration.

As captain of a 28-person company she emphasizes that training is important for accomplishing the job. The fire department consists of volunteers and those who sign up spend many hours a month in training.

She advises that anyone that comes into this has to realize, “It’s a hard job, it’s not fun and games and it’s a life threatening job. There is a lot of training that goes into it. You want to be able to go home, safely.”

Nocerino stays in shape by running five miles daily. She recently became engaged to another fireman and will be married in October. She has two wishes, to have a family and someday be chief of the fire department.

 Nocerino’s in known for her calm demeanor. “You have to set the tone, you can’t be crazy, you can’t yell because that’s when you start losing your head. You have to stay focused on your task at hand. If you get hysterical then the guys behind you get hysterical. You are only as good as the guys behind you. They make me look good.”

Her first test as captain came last week at a house fire, started by a candle in a basement. Everything went smoothly, the fire was extinguished and no one was hurt. For Captain Nocerino her greatest reward is, “Getting the job well done, and seeing everyone in the back of the truck, no one is hurt and we all made it home safely.” 

Captain Nocerino had some summer safety tips for fire prevention.

•       Check all hoses on propane and gas barbeques before lighting them.
•       Never leave candles unattended.
•       Never put laundry in a dryer and leave the house.
•       Keep chimaeras’ and fire pits away from the house.
•       Have a family plan on how to escape a fire.