With the Fire Association of the State of New York convention in town, the South Shore Press had a chance to sit down with its president, Patchogue native Gene Perry.
Perry’s dedication to volunteer firefighting spans more than four decades. “I’ve been a firefighter for 46 years in the Patchogue Fire Department,” he told us. “I joined the Vanguard Hose Company Number One at age 21, in 1979. My two uncles were involved, and I lived just behind the firehouse, so it was a natural fit.”
Over the years, Perry has taken on numerous roles, from company financial secretary to benevolent trustee, deepening his involvement beyond active firefighting.
His leadership extends statewide. Perry is a past president of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen’s Association and the Southern New York Volunteer Firefighters Association, covering nine southern counties, including New York City, where nine volunteer fire companies still operate across the five boroughs. Today, he serves as president of FASNY, the statewide organization representing the interests of 80,000 volunteer firefighters in New York. “There are 109 fire departments in Suffolk County and 71 in Nassau,” he noted, underscoring the scale of volunteer fire service on Long Island.
Perry’s journey within FASNY began in 2002 on the membership committee. He rose through the ranks, becoming assistant sergeant at arms, a director, and first vice president. Last August, he was elected president and will serve until 2026.
Under Perry’s guidance, FASNY manages a unique 96-bed skilled nursing facility in upstate Hudson, exclusively for volunteer firefighters. “It’s more like a country club than a nursing home,” he explained, highlighting how the organization ensures top care for those who have volunteered to serve their communities.
Training and education remain central to FASNY’s mission. Perry outlined annual EMS seminars held in Selden and Geneva, which have trained thousands of EMTs and paramedics over nearly 50 years. He also spoke about the organization’s winter games in Cortland County—a weekend event fostering camaraderie among firefighters and their families.
Legislatively, FASNY is active, successfully working with state leaders to phase out harmful PFAS chemicals in turnout gear by 2028 and secure extensions for EMS cost recovery programs. He stays engaged with related task forces to educate the fire community.
Locally, Perry is involved with the Ridge Fire Museum in Brookhaven, where he serves as director at large, while his son is the president. He retired in 2017 as an emergency services dispatcher for Patchogue, balancing his professional career with volunteer leadership.
With a legacy spanning 150 years—FASNY was founded in 1872—the organization remains vital to New York’s volunteer fire service. Perry is only the fourth Suffolk County member to serve as president and the second from Brookhaven Town, reflecting both his personal commitment and regional pride.
As Firefighters’ Day approaches at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, Perry encourages volunteers to connect, learn, and honor those who serve. “Any volunteer firefighter can get into the fair free with ID,” he said, noting the memorial services recognizing firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Gene Perry’s commitment to firefighting runs deep in his family. Both of his sons have followed in his footsteps, serving proudly in the Brookhaven Fire Department. His oldest son, Patrick, was recently elected as one of the five commissioners of the district, taking on a leadership role in the community. Meanwhile, his younger son, Christopher, plays a vital part in training the department’s new recruits, helping to prepare the next generation of volunteer firefighters. Together, they carry forward the family legacy of service and dedication to protecting their community.