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Vol. 31 No. 16
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APRIl 16 - 22, 2020
OBITUARY
‘He was the best’ Mike Field, 59, longtime VSFD EMT, dies of Covid-19 By PeteR BelfIoRe pbelfiore@liherald.com
Courtesy Valley Stream Volunteer Fire Department Facebook
oN APRIl 9, Mayor Ed Fare, far right, swore in Eugene O’Brien II, center, as the Valley Stream Fire Department’s new chief, Patrick Scanlon, second from left, as first assistant chief and Anthony Capone as second assistant chief.
Fire Dep’t swears in chiefs
Eugene O’Brien II takes over for Jason Croak By NICole AlCINDoR nalcindor@liherald.com
With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, the Valley S t r e a m Vo l u n t e e r F i r e Department held a private swearing-in ceremony April 9 to welcome a new chief and his assistants. About a dozen members gathered as Mayor Ed Fare swore in Eugene O’Brien II, of Truck 1, as the 98th chief of the department, succeeding Jason Croak, whose term ended after two years. Patrick Scanlon, of Engine Company No. 1, was sworn in as first assistant chief, and Anthony
Capone, of Engine Company No. 2, became second assistant chief. Fare said he found it surreal to officiate the swearing-in ceremony — typically attended by more than a hundred volunteers, their family members and friends — in such a manner. “Many traditions have been lost due to this pandemic,” Fare said, “and it was very strange holding a private ceremony, because the Fire Department is a brotherhood and sisterhood where camaraderie and bonding is part of risking your well-being for
others. I felt bad that Chief Jason Croak left office under the cloud of the Covid virus and that Chief O’Brien began his term without the usual celebrations.” Croak echoed Fare’s sentiments, and said it was a somber ceremony, without its typical fanfare. “It’s a sad time,” he said, “but it was absolutely necessary, because the last thing we want is any member to become sick.” Croak will continue volunteering, after serving two years as second assistant chief, two years as first assisContinued on page 16
Mike Field, a Valley Stream native, an EMT who was a first responder during the Sept. 11 attacks, and a former captain of the village Fire Department, died on April 8 at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital of complications of the coronavirus. He was 59. Field, a village employee, was known for his community activism, kindness and dedication to the fire services. An active member of Valley Mike Stream Fire Department EMS, he died after transporting a patient suffering from Covid-19, and for his sacrifice and service was posthumously promoted to the rank of chief. “He was the best,” outgoing Valley Stream Fire Chief Jason Croak said. “He was a guy that would do anything for anybody at the drop of a hat.” Field was a member of the department since 1987, and active in the Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association and the Valley Stream Junior
Fire Department. In addition to the fire services, he was a Cub Scout pack leader and Little League coach. He was also involved in organizing the Nassau County Fire Riders’ Christmas in June toy drive for patients at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center. “He was there for e v e r y b o d y, a n d always had a smile on his face, and always joking around,” Croak said. “He loved everybody. He loved his wife, he loved his family.” Before working for the village in the Department of Pubfield lic Works, Field was an emergency medical technician for the New York City Fire Department, and was on the scene before and after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. He was also a lifelong Valley Stream resident and a 1979 graduate of Central High School. “He was dedicated, and loved what he did. He was just a great guy,” his son Steven said. “He was loved by all, and he loved them back. He was always there for everybody.” Continued on page 3