The Vigilant Engine & Hook & Ladder Company, Inc. elected Joshua Forst as fire chief for the department on Monday, the department said.
Forst joined the company in April 1993, and has worked his way up from the rank of second lieutenant. He replaces Laurence Jacobs.
“I am honored to be elected to this prestigious position by my fellow members,” Forst said. “I look forward to continuing the progress made by Chief Jacobs as we strive to provide the best emergency services possible to the residents of Great Neck.”
Forst is the 29th elected chief, and he replaces Jacobs, who served as chief since December 2011, the department said.
“In the more than two decades that I have served as a member of the Vigilant Fire Company there have been very few members who have the integrity, dedication and devotion to our community as Chief Forst does,” Jacobs said. “I am confident that the progress made over the last 110 years will continue under his leadership.”
Forst will lead 105 company members, which responded to 2,092 emergency calls this year through the end of November, the department said.
Forst lives in Great Neck with his wife, Alana, and their two daughters.
Second Assistant Chief Joshua Charry said Forst is open to new ideas, and always wants to have open discussions with people.
“He wants to try to expand membership and he wants to continue to have the high levels of training we’ve received under Chief Jacobs,” Charry said.
Reach reporter Adam Lidgett by e-mail at alidgett@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203 and on Twitter @ AdamLidgett. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
