Thirty-years ago, Firefighters Len Llewellyn and Steve Grogan approached Chief Robert Forte and proposed the forming of a junior fire department program to help fill the dwindling ranks of members joining the Lynbrook Fire Department.  With the blessing and commitment of Chief Forte, the Fire Council, and the companies, the Lynbrook Junior Fire Department was formed in July 1979 with 17 members.  Firefighters Llewellyn and Grogan were joined by Ex-Captain Don Waring and the three became the first advisors of the new program.  Lynbrook’s junior program was one of the first to be sponsored by a fire department instead of a scouting organization.  It was not long before other fire departments followed Lynbrook’s success with the program and started their own juniors. Over the years many of these youngsters have gone on to become members of the department.  Ex-Chief Robert Cribbin, one of the original July 1979 juniors, was the first junior to become Chief of Department in Lynbrook.  Two years ago, the chief and his three deputies were all former juniors.  This year, the Chief of Department is Kevin Bien who was also a charter member in 1979.  There are presently 33 youngsters in the program today. 

On Sunday, May 31, 2009, a Thirtieth Anniversary Dinner was held at the Elks Club to honor this milestone in the history of the Lynbrook Fire Department and its Junior Program.  At the dinner, Junior Ex-Captains Michael Isler and Kara McLaughlin were also honored.  All former juniors who joined the department, as well as former and present advisors were also in attendance to celebrate. Present at the celebration were Lynbrook Mayor Brian Curran, Deputy Mayor Bill Hendrick, N.Y.S Assemblyman Bob Barra, and T.O.H. Councilman Tony Santino.

Additionally, FASNY’s The Volunteer Firefighter magazine, published monthly, will tell the Lynbrook Junior Fire Department story in their upcoming July 2009 edition.