Chiefs

Chief of Department

Salju Thomas

Truck Company One

Chief of Department Salju Thomas was born in Kerala, India. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1985. As a first generation immigrant, he wanted to give back to the country that had given him so many opportunities. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and served honorably for the next 10 years. He was deployed to Iraq 2004-2005 and served in Baghdad and Fallujah. After getting out of the Marine Corps, he again heard the call to service and joined the Garden City Park Fire Department Truck Company One in 2008. He worked his way through the company ranks and was elected by the department as the Third Assistant Chief in 2016. He now serves as Chief of Department.

First Assistant Chief

Roland Sarracco

Truck Company One

 

First Assistant Chief Sarracco joined the Department in 1988 as a member of Truck Company One. During his tenure in the Garden City Park Fire Department, Assistant Chief Sarracco served as Captain of Truck Company One during  1996, 1997,1998 and 2004. During his years of service, Assistant Chief Sarracco responded to the Suffolk Wild Fires, 9/11, Hurricane Sandy and the LIRR Train Derailment of 2016.  In 2017, he was elected as the Third Assistant Chief.

Third Assistant Chief

Michael McGillicuddy

Engine Company Four

 

 

Third Assistant Chief McGillicuddy joined the Department in 1978 as a member of Engine Company 4. In his 42 years of serving the department and community, he has served as 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant & Captain 3 times. He has also served as Commissioner for the Garden City Park Water Fire District. He currently works for SUNY Downstate Medical Center where he oversees the operation of the Gross Anatomy Labs and is Deputy Commander of the Haz-Mat Response team for the institution. He is also a member of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) assigned to Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT), where if there were a National or Global disaster he would respond to assist with the recovery of the deceased. Assistant Chief McGillicuddy is also a New York State Licensed Funeral Director. In 2019, he was elected as Third Assistant Chief.

Chief's Aide

Mathew George

Rescue Five

Chiefs Aide M. George has been a member of the Garden City Park Fire Department since December 2013 and has been an active member of Rescue Company Five. Chiefs Aide George has been proactive in many different aspects of the department since he has joined. He was able to finish all schools and training's required to be a class A firefighter within the first couple months of joining and since been a vital member in helping get the Engine out for calls and also the ambulance out for rescue calls. He was awarded one of the top responders for the years 2014, 2015, and 2016. Currently, he serves as the Captain of Rescue company and as one of the lead advisors for the GCPFD Juniors and teaches possible future recruits the knowledge needed to be a step ahead when transitioning from a junior to a member of fire or rescue in the department. He takes an active role in getting involved in numerous Department and Company committees. Chiefs Aide George will always continue to attend various trainings offered. His reason being is that there will always be a new lesson to be learned. There are new skills always to attain. There are always new things to teach and pass on to help better other members. " In your life, you only get to do so many things and right now we’ve chosen to do this, so let’s make it great. "-Steve Jobs