75-Year Member of Port Washington Fire Department Appointed Honorary Chief

A longtime member of the Port Washington Fire Department was honored for his many years of service on Saturday.

Harold “Porky” Poole was appointed Honorary Chief by the Port Washington Fire Department and the Protection Engine Company No. 1 for serving the department and the community for 75 years.

Poole is the first member of the Protection Engine Company who has achieved this landmark and he most likely served the department longer than anyone else, according to the fire department.

Poole was elected to membership in September of 1940. He served alongside the fire company for six months and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was stationed in the Mediterranean as a Boatswain Mate on an LST (landing craft) and was involved with the major landings at Corsica, Anzio, the Elbe River, and South France.

Less than a year after returning to the fire company, he was elected Second Assistant Foreman for 1947. He was then elected First Assistant Foreman for 1948, and later Foreman for 1949 and 1950.

Poole has been actively involved in the department and the community for several decades:

• He has been a member of the Port Washington Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association for over 70 years.
• He belonged to the fire company’s “Rangers” competition drill team where he participated at many different positions, including nozzle, hydrant, buckets, and as a “footer” in ladder events. He was a member of the 1946 Nassau County championship team.
• He was a member of Protection’s softball team and played the outfield in both the town and the 8th fire battalion softball leagues.
• He served the fire company as a member of the 75th and 100th anniversary committees, the entertainment committee and the grave committee.
• He was one of the founders of the Port Washington Fire Department blood bank.
• He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Port Washington Fire Department, a delegate to the Nassau County Firemen’s Association, the New York State Firemen’s Association and participated in the state association’s annual legislative clearing house each year.

“Harold has been a constant presence at the firehouse for 75 years and has taught many members by his example,” the PWFD said in a press release. “We thank him for helping to protect our country and community, for giving so much of his time and energy to Port Washington Fire Department and the Protection Engine Co. No. 1, and for being a friend throughout.”

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