Veteran firefighter Eugene J. Perry, 66, of Patchogue, was recently elected president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) at its 152nd convention held in Niagara Falls, N.Y.  Perry is the association’s 82nd president and has spent the past four years serving FASNY as second and first vice president. 

A 45-year-member of the Patchogue Fire Department, Perry has been a member of FASNY since 1995.  He served on FASNY’s membership committee for 10 years, including three years as chairman.  Perry chaired the opening ceremonies during the 1999 and 2010 FASNY conventions held in Suffolk County, was FASNY’s assistant sergeant-at-arms from 2012-2013 and sat on the committee for the 125th anniversary of the FASNY Firemen’s Home in Hudson in 2017.  Perry was elected to the FASNY Board of Directors in 2013, where he served until, he was elected second vice president in 2020.  He has served the last two years as FASNY’s first vice president.

“When I joined the volunteer fire service on July 10, 1979, never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that I would go on to have the honor and privilege to serve as the 82nd president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York,” said Perry.  “I grew up directly behind the firehouse and anytime there was an alarm, the siren would wail, I’d hear the doors open, the trucks start and head out to whatever the emergency was. I knew at a very young age that I just had to be part of that.  Today, as FASNY president, I serve all of our state’s volunteer firefighters, working to assure they have the training, education and support they need to answer their community’s calls for help.  It is a tremendous responsibility and one I take very seriously.  It is also a great opportunity to give back to the volunteer fire service that has given so much to me and my family.”

Perry was administered the oath of office by a trio of Patchogue Fire Department ex-chiefs—Tom Newham Jr., Jon Parris and Brian Ward—each of whom had a significant influence in his career with the PFD. 

First responder mental health is Perry’s top priority

“Just as firefighting has evolved, so has a real need for better mental and behavioral health initiatives for New York’s first responders.  I know this because I’m part of that need.  I know personally of the struggles of depression and anxiety.  This is why the theme of my presidency will be ‘First Responder Mental & Behavioral Health’,” Perry said.  “My message to our first responders in the field is don’t let a bad call or situation control you—reach out.  Seeking professional help is not a weakness—it’s okay to not be okay at times.  We need to be able to provide the mental and behavioral health resources our first responders need to help them heal and be well.”

Perry will be establishing a FASNY Mental & Behavioral Health Committee made up of fellow first responders who have expertise in these areas.  His goal for his term as president is to remove the fear and stigma that comes from these sometimes overwhelming feelings and help first responders believe in themselves. 

A LIFE OF SERVICE

 On July 10, 1979, at age 21, Perry became a member of the Van Guard Hose Company No. 1 of the Patchogue Fire Department, after graduating from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1977 and Grahm Jr. College in 1979. He was and still is dedicated to the Van Guard Hose Company No. 1, where he has served as the company’s financial secretary for 16 years; he is also a trustee of the Van Guard Hose Company Benevolent Fund.

Perry has been an active member of his community on Long Island.  He served as the vice president of the Brookhaven Town Volunteer Firemen’s Association and is an active member and past president of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen’s Association.  In addition, he is a past president and past director of the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association, as well as an active member of the New York State Volunteer Firemen’s Parade and Drill Team Captains Association, the Suffolk County Parade and Drill Team Captain’s Association and the Suffolk County Drill Officials Association where he also serves as Treasurer.  Perry is also a director at large of the Brookhaven Firefighters Museum.

Perry is not only dedicated to volunteer service, but also has a career in servicing the community in the Village of Patchogue, retiring after 32 years as an emergency services dispatcher in 2018.  He dispatched for the Patchogue Fire Department, Patchogue Ambulance Company and the Patchogue Village Code Enforcement.

At home, Perry has been married to Kathy Perry for 34 years and father of two sons, Patrick, 32, and Christopher, 28, both of whom are volunteer firefighters in The Brookhaven Fire Department.  Gene Perry grew up in Patchogue and moved to Shirley with his wife in 1990 and has maintained very close ties to the Patchogue community since.

“Just as my sons have grown up with the volunteer fire service at home, they have grown up with FASNY.  I am so proud to have introduced them to this community through my own passions, and even more so as they pursue their own goals within the fire service.  From working towards driving different apparatus, to running for officer, Kathy and I are overjoyed to support our sons just as they have supported me all of these years,” said Perry. “Family is everything and sharing this passion has allowed us to spend even more time together.” 

About FASNY:  

Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) represents the interests of the approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State. For more information, visit www.fasny.com.