Long Beach Professional Fire Fighters

10/10/2026

Welcome back Lieutenant Catherine Lewis upon your completion the New York State First Line Supervisors Training Program (FLSTP) given by NYS OFPC and the FDNY at the FDNY training and leadership centers.
This intensive 4 week program focused on leadership, personnel management, incident command, fireground operations, and frontline supervision, including hands-on live burn training, flashover training, and technical rescue operations.
Lieutenant Lewis trained alongside fellow career fire officers from municipal departments throughout New York State earning national certifications.
Most notably, Lieutenant Lewis earned the prestigious “Golden Chock” Award for Best Academic Performance in her class!
Please join us on welcoming her back to the firehouse to lead and serve the community.

10/05/2026

☘️ Proud to be part of a Long Beach tradition! 🇮🇪🚒

Members of IAFF Local 287 – the Long Beach Professional Firefighters – were proud to participate in the AOH’s 37th Annual St. Brendan the Navigator Parade & Irish Day Celebration!

It’s always a great day celebrating Irish heritage, community, and everything that makes Long Beach such a special place to live and serve.

Thank you to the Ancient Order of Hibernians for continuing this incredible tradition and bringing our community together year after year. We’re proud to march alongside our neighbors, friends, and fellow first responders! ☘️

Happy Irish Day, Long Beach! 🇮🇪🍀

09/29/2026

Our friend and retired FDNY firefighter Vinny Piccolino has passed away. We send condolences to all who knew and loved him. Services posted. 💐

It is with deep regret the department announces the passing of retired Firefighter Vincent Piccolino, Ladder 166- who succumbed to his World Trade Center related illness on September 27, 2026. FF Piccolino served in the FDNY for 15 years.

The following has been confirmed:

Visitation:
Thursday, October 1, 2026
2:00-8:00pm
Christopher T. Jordan Funeral Home
302 Long Beach Rd
Island Park, NY 11558

Funeral Service:
Friday, October 2, 2026
11:00am
St. Ignatius Martyr R.C. Church
721 W. Broadway
Long Beach, NY 11561

May his memory be a blessing and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

09/20/2026

🚒 END OF TOUR 🚒

FIREFIGHTER GEORGE GENTILESCO

LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT • IAFF LOCAL 287

We would like to recognize the service and retirement firefighter FIREFIGHTER GEORGE GENTILESCO

After 20 years of dedicated service to the Long Beach Fire Department, Brother George Gentilesco is hanging up his gear and completing his final tour.

George’s impact on the department goes beyond the years on the job and alarms he answered.

A former Secretary of IAFF Local 287, George always understood the importance of looking out for the people standing beside him. He has been a role model, a mentor, the unofficial firehouse chef, a driving force behind the Morale Committee.
He brought experience, composure and the understanding that this job has always been about taking care of the person next to you.

Some of George’s greatest contributions happened when there were no sirens. He helped pass down the traditions, humor, lessons and brotherhood that made the firehouse a home.

Before joining the LBFD, George served another 7 years as a New York State Court Officer in Long Beach, completing 27 years of public service to the community.

And while today belongs to George, we also recognize and thank his family.

To George’s family: thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices, the understanding, the support, and for allowing us to have a piece of George for all these years.

Congratulations on an incredible career and enjoy the next chapter!

08/31/2026

END OF AN ERA — CONGRATULATIONS LT. PIAZZA! 🚒

Today, we congratulate Executive Officer & Lieutenant William “Billy” Piazza on the completion of his final tour with the Long Beach Fire Department after more than 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Long Beach.

Billy’s service to our community extends even further. Before joining the Fire Department in 2001, he served with the Long Beach Lifeguard Patrol, ultimately dedicating more than three decades to protecting and serving the residents of Long Beach. Throughout his career, Billy served as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Executive Officer, and former President of IAFF Local 287.

Billy has been a tremendous part of our department and our union, and his experience, dedication, and commitment to the job will certainly be missed.

On behalf of the members of IAFF Local 287, we thank Billy and his family for the many years of sacrifice and service that come along with a career in the fire service.

Congratulations on a well-earned retirement, Billy! We wish you nothing but good health, happiness, and plenty of time on the boat with a fishing rod in your hand. 🎣⛳️

Enjoy retirement, Lieutenant — you’ve earned it!

08/10/2026

Thanks to all the first responders who made the Waterfront Warriors vacation week possible. Special thanks to FF Joe Fields and FF Cliff Skudin two of the Bravest 🙏

07/30/2026

Congratulations to LT Catherine Lewis on her well-deserved promotion to Career Lieutenant Paramedic.
Since joining the department six years ago, Catherine has distinguished herself through her professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to serving the residents of Long Beach.
She previously made history as the department’s first female career firefighter, and now the first Female Career Lieutenant in the Department’s 115-year history - paving the way for future generations.
In addition to her fire service career, she holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and was a college basketball standout.
She proudly serves as the Vice President of the firefighters’ union IAFF 287 and has earned the respect of her colleagues through her leadership, integrity, and work ethic.

Congratulations Lieutenant Lewis, on making history once again. Wishing you continued success in this well-earned leadership role and many years of safe and distinguished service.

07/15/2026

Thank you to the Long Beach administration for outfitting our firefighter/paramedics with a brand new state of the art ambulance that allows us to serve our community and maximizing our capabilities of public service! 

A brand-new state of the art Ambulance has arrived to serve our City!

Thank you to our outstanding, dedicated, and selfless first responders for all they do to keep us safe.

Council President Brendan Finn, VP Chris Fiumara, Council Members Michael Reinhart, George Ennis and Tracey Johnson joined Assemblyman Ari Brown, Senator Patricia Canzoneri Fitzpatrick, Lt. Medic Pat Cunningham, FF Medic Cat Lewis, FF EMT John Whelan, and FF EMT Kevin Glazer to debut the new ambulance.

07/13/2026

THANK YOU, LONG BEACH! ❤️🧑‍🚒

Because of your incredible generosity, our members raised just over $18,000 in only two days during this year’s Fill the Boot campaign benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)!

For more than 30 years, our firefighters have proudly participated in this tradition, and year after year, our community continues to show up in an amazing way. Every donation—large or small—helps fund groundbreaking research, medical care, support services, summer camp experiences, and so much more for children and families living with neuromuscular diseases.

To everyone who stopped to donate, shared words of encouragement, or supported us through one of the QR code locations throughout the city: thank you. Your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

We are proud to serve such a compassionate and supportive community.

LongBeachNY CommunityStrong

07/11/2026

This weekend, our members will be out at the intersection of East Park Avenue and Long Beach Road for our annual Fill the Boot fundraiser benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) through the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
For more than 30 years, our members have proudly participated in this incredible tradition, helping raise critical funds for children and families affected by neuromuscular diseases.
If you see us in the center of town, please consider making a donation—every dollar truly makes a difference. If you can’t make it to our collection site, you’ll also find Fill the Boot QR codes posted at businesses throughout Long Beach, making it easy to contribute.
Your generosity directly supports research, lifesaving care, summer camp experiences, medical equipment, and family services for those who need it most.
Thank you for helping us continue this tradition of service—both on and off the job. ❤️🧑‍🚒