WB firefighter elected to state board

Richard Vella of West Babylon was elected to a five-year term as Director of the Firemen’s Association of the State of N.Y. (FASNY) at the 139th Annual Convention at the Edgewood Resort in Alexandria Bay. The event was held Aug. 19.

Vella has been a member of the West Babylon Fire Department (WBFD) for 41 years, having joined Eagle Engine No. 6 at the age of 22. Over the years, he served twice as a Lieutenant and Captain of Eagle Engine, as well as serving as Captain and Lieutenant of the rescue squad and the fire police unit. He was Chief of the department from 2004-06, was elected trustee of the WBFD’s Benevolent association in 1990 and currently serves as the group’s secretary.

He also serves as a Commissioner of the West Babylon Fire District and is very active in a number of firematic organizations including the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York and the Southern NY Volunteer Firemen’s Association, where he is a director.

Locally, Vella is also an active member of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen’s Association where he worked up the ranks from 3rd Vice President to President and is currently in the midst of his second leadership tour, serving as 1st Vice President. He is a member of the Town of Babylon Volunteer Firemen’s Association, where he served as a trustee for three years, the Town of Babylon Fire Officials Association, the Suffolk County Chiefs Association, and the Town of Babylon Chiefs Association, where he has been past president, 1st Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

A member of FASNY since 1992, he has been active in the Fire Police Committee since 2000 and eventually became chairman of the committee in 2007. FASNY represents more than 40,000 firefighters statewide, monitoring legislation, securing health benefits and continued education for firefigthters. It also works to help recruit and retain volunteers by providing scholarships to young people and offering other programs.

Vella and his wife have three children: Keith, Tara and Melissa. He spent 17 years working as security guard for the defense contractor Sperry and was also an operations manager at Otis Spunkmeyer for six years prior to retiring.

“I think the work done by FASNY is very important and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Vella who served on the board in 2010 filing the final year of the term of Robert McCovell who was elected vice president. “I have always worked to ensure that our firefighters have the best training possible and it is gratifying that the members had faith in me. I will continue to support them do what is right for the community and fire service.”