Mohawk Engine Company

"The Pride Of West Islip"

Company 5 – Established 1955

Stationed at: West Islip Fire Department Headquarters
Location: Union Boulevard, West Islip, NY

Line Officers                                   

• Captain: John Fortunato

• 1st Lieutenant: Sean Kinsley

• 2nd Lieutenant: Dean Timmons                                     

• Treasurer: Richard Nader

• Secretary: Brian Winberry
   

Company Overview

Founded in 1955, Mohawk Engine Company #5 operates out of WIFD Headquarters on Union Boulevard and is an essential component of the West Islip Fire Department’s emergency response operations. In addition to responding to fire alarms within the West Islip community, Mohawk Engine Company serves as the department’s primary mutual aid engine company, responding to neighboring jurisdictions when additional support is required.

Known for its professionalism and tactical expertise, Mohawk members pride themselves on being among the most rigorously trained firefighters in the department. Company 5 trains regularly at the Suffolk County Fire Academy and supplements that instruction with weekly in-house drills. The company is especially known for its aggressive interior fire attack and suppression strategies.

Mohawk Engine Company proudly upholds its motto:
“The Pride of West Islip.”

Honoring Our Legacy

Since the launch of the company's original website, Mohawk Engine Company has reconnected with many past members, some of whom have relocated across the country. These reconnecting stories inspired a deeper look into our company’s history—offering both new recruits and community members a glimpse into the rich traditions and service of Mohawk through the decades.

We invite former members—like Peter in California and George in Florida—and current residents to explore our past through archival photos and stories that reflect our growth, commitment, and deep-rooted service in West Islip.

Company Leadership History

The following is a list of former Captains of Mohawk Engine Company, many of whom also served as Chiefs of the West Islip Fire Department (denoted with an asterisk *). Their leadership and dedication continue to shape the legacy of Company 5:

• Ex-Captain Robert Leiser* (1955–1957)

• Ex-Captain Anthony DiNicola (1957–1959)

• Ex-Captain Robert Schwint* (1959–1961)

• Ex-Captain Arthur Strauch* (1961–1963)

• Ex-Captain Fred Ball (1963–1965)

• Ex-Captain Lenny Gerry (1965–1966)

• Ex-Captain Thomas Donaldson* (1966–1968)

• Ex-Captain Marion Fisco (1968–1970)

• Ex-Captain George Iwasiuk* (1970–1972)

• Ex-Captain William Badala* (1972–1974)

• Ex-Captain George Kempf* (1974–1976)

• Ex-Captain Louis Delgado* (1976–1978)

• Ex-Captain Charles Theobald (1978–1980)

• Ex-Captain John Hernandez (1980–1982)

• Ex-Captain Laurence Schou (1982–1984)

• Ex-Captain Rudolph Kastanek (1984–1986)

• Ex-Captain Jeffrey Kempf* (1986–1988)

• Ex-Captain George Schmidt (1988–1990)

• Ex-Captain Jeff Schou (1990–1992)

• Ex-Captain Eric Davidson (1992–1993)

• Ex-Captain Gus Koppelmann (1993–1995)

• Ex-Captain Anthony Morolla (1995–1997)

• Ex-Captain Scott Harvey* (1997–1999)

• Ex-Captain Michael Delgado* (1999–2001)

• Ex-Captain Joseph Badala* (2001–2003)

• Ex-Captain George Baxter* (2003–2005)

• Ex-Captain Blaise Gemellaro* (2005–2007)

• Ex-Captain George Baxter* (2007–2009)

• Ex-Captain Mitch Lohan (2009–2011)

• Ex-Captain Joseph Badala* (2011–2013)

• Ex-Captain Michael Tasso (2013)

• Ex-Captain Michael Cooper* (2013–2015)

• Ex-Captain Mitch Lohan (2015-2017)

• Ex-Captain Robert Celeste (2017-2019) (Current Chief Of Department)

• Ex-Captain Jeffery Kempf Jr. (2019-2021)

• Ex-Captain John Fourtunato (2021-2022) 

• Ex-Captain Ryan Broderick (2022-2024) (Current 3rd Assistant Chief)

Captains marked with an asterisk () also served as Chiefs of the West Islip Fire Department.