BCVFD Honors Pheffer Amato & Members

On Saturday, February 28, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department celebrated 121 years of service, with the installation of their chiefs and officers and honoring some well-deserved members and supporters.

The American Legion Hall in Broad Channel was packed for the installation dinner on Saturday. In addition to installing the 2026 chiefs and officers, this year’s dinner was a celebration for special honoree, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato. Pheffer Amato has been a longtime supporter of the BCVFD, passing legislation and providing funding to support the firehouse, including helping them reach their fundraising threshold to finally build a brand-new firehouse on Cross Bay Blvd., a project more than 30 years in the making, which broke ground in December. For her dedication to the BCVFD, Pheffer Amato was presented with a helmet designating her as an honorary chief, an honor previously bestowed upon former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, who was there for the occasion.

Among some of the other honors were awards presented to two members for 20 years of service to the BCVFD. Treasurer Donna Bassetti and former lieutenant Christopher Kalisak were presented with plaques for their two decades of service.

Unfortunately, after the event, the BCVFD announced the passing of Chief of Department George Conklin’s father and former BCVFD lieutenant, John Conklin Sr. His funeral Mass will be on Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Virgilius RC Church (16 Noel Road). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BCVFD.

The BCVFD is always seeking new members. To learn more about volunteering, head to www.broadchannelvfd.org or email info@broadchannelvfd.org.