Joe Williams is Seeking Holbrook Commissioner Seat

Joe Williams, an Ex-Chief of the Holbrook Fire Department and current Commissioner of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services for Suffolk County, is running for an open commissioner’s seat in Holbrook

Williams, 66, served Holbrook as Chief from 1987 until 1990 and is a retired FDNY Lieutenant who has been involved with the fire service for the past 46 years. 

The open seat belonged to Stephen McGerty, who is relocating to New Hampshire after serving two terms (10 years) on the Board of Fire Commissioners.

“The biggest thing today, in Holbrook and any district, you’re dealing with multi-million dollar budgets and it’s becoming like a business,” he said. “My experience in private life with business will help me greatly. It’s good to have that and be a firefighter. I feel like I have those qualifications.”

Williams, who has served a seven-year term as the head of the county’s fire rescue operations at the end of the year when new county government officials take office, has dealt with all organizations and fire departments in the county. He was also a fire commissioner once before in Holbrook prior to taking the county role.

“We owe a responsibility to the department to give them what they need to do their job and we have a responsibility to the tax payers,” he said.

Williams his wife Lydia have been married for 45 years and have two daughters.

Holbrook Fire District Election will be held on Tuesday.  Voting will take place at Holbrook Fire Headquarters at 390 Terry Blvd. in Holbrook from 3-9 p.m. Voting is open to all registered residents who live within the boarders of the Holbrook Fire District, which encompasses the Islip Town portion of Holbrook, and a small portion of Holtsville, Bayport, and Blue Point.