Becoming a volunteer firefighter was a natural move for Elias Zamayar.
His mother and stepfather are both members of the East Marion Fire Department, he loves helping people and he also loves the excitement of going out on a call. He loves it so much, in fact, that he happily makes the kind of sacrifices that are routine for volunteer firefighters.
After being pulled away from his job as a custodian at Greenport High School to respond to a motor vehicle accident earlier this year, Mr. Zamayar returned to work to finish his duties, and didn’t get home until after midnight. It’s what many firefighters do to fulfill obligations to both their full-time jobs and the department. And while more stringent modern requirements for firefighters and EMTs means recruiting new members can be an uphill battle for volunteer forces across Long Island, members of the Greenport Fire Department share an intense dedication to their companies and pride in their importance within the community.