Two Candidates Seek Commack Fire Commissioner Seat

A 20-year veteran firefighter will run for the Commack Fire Department's title of fire commissioner against the incumbant, Thomas McFadzen, on Dec. 11. 

Mary Francis Ryan, a Commack resident for 19 years, will be running for a seat as Fire Commissioner. Ryan grew up as part of the Centerport Fire Department family, following in her father's footsteps by joining as a junior firefighter at age 14. Throughout her firefighting career, Ryan has held the titles of lieutenant, captain and in 1995 was elected to the Board of Directors. She later served as president of the corporation from 1999-2000. 

"I am now ready to service this community, which I call home as a Commissioner of the Commack Fire District. Being a Commack Commissioner is being part of a team that works together to maintain the safety of the fireman and provide them with the equipment that they need to help you the Commack Community in a time of emergency," Ryan wrote in a letter. 

Ryan will be running against incumbent commissioner Thomas McFadzen, who is running for his second full five-year term. McFadzen was first elected to office after the standing commissioner moved out of the Commack Fire District. He ran a successful campaign to be elected to his first full-term. 

McFadzen has lead the Commack Fire Department in responding to hundreds of community calls and alarms through two major storms: Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. He believes under his guidance the firefighters were well prepared and did everything possible, including sheltering out-of-state utility workers to help get power restored quickly. 

"My reason for running is continue the training and have the best equipped district in education, and maintain a balanced budget," McFadzen said. 

A public election will be held on Dec. 11, from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Commack Fire District's main headquarters at 6309 Jericho Turnpike in Commack.