Sitting with me in The Firehouse is Scott Di Pino of The Dix Hills Fire Department.

Scott Di Pino (@scott_dipino) is a veteran paramedic and fire service officer with more than 30 years of experience in emergency medical services, fire operations, and public safety leadership across New York City and Long Island.

He began his career in EMS in 1995 as an EMT while volunteering with Fordham University EMS, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and met his wife, Kathleen. They have been married for 22 years. Kathleen is a retired Suffolk County Police Department officer and paramedic. They have three children.

Scott became a paramedic in 1999 and has served in multiple high-acuity systems, including New York City Fire Department EMS (1998–2004), where he responded during the events of September 11, 2001. He later joined the Nassau County Police Department as a Police Medic (2004–present), serving in the 5th Precinct, promoted to supervisor in 2009, and appointed Police Medic Coordinator in 2017.

He has been an active member of the Dix Hills Fire Department since 2005, serving in roles including Rescue Squad Officer, Fire Officer for CO1, and within the Chief’s Office from 2018 to 2024. In 2026, he was elected to the Dix Hills Board of Fire Commissioners.
Scott is also a member of the Suffolk County USAR Team as a Medical Specialist, serves as Secretary of the Town Chief’s Council, and represents the 2nd Division on the FRES Commission. He is an active member of both Suffolk and Nassau County REMAC and provides per-diem paramedic coverage to several fire districts, including New Hyde Park, Hicksville, East Farmingdale, and Greenlawn.

Throughout his career, Scott has received numerous awards and honors, including Nassau County Paramedic of the Year (2013), Suffolk County Paramedic of the Year (2022), and the Bronze Medal of Valor (2019) for actions during a structure fire on Park Avenue in Hicksville. He has delivered more than 50 babies in the field and remains active in training, mentorship, and operational leadership within the emergency services community.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Matt Judge. Matt Judge has been a dedicated member of the Great River Fire Department for many years, proudly serving his community with professionalism, commitment, and a strong sense of duty. Throughout his time in the fire service, Matt has remained passionate about protecting others and helping ensure the department continues to grow and succeed.

A firm believer in the importance of training and preparedness, Matt enjoys continually developing his skills and working alongside his fellow firefighters to provide the highest level of service possible. He takes great pride in being part of the fire service and values the camaraderie, teamwork, and traditions that come with it.

Whether responding to emergencies, participating in training exercises, or supporting department initiatives, Matt is committed to doing what is best for the department and the community it serves. His dedication, work ethic, and passion for the fire service make him a respected member of the Great River Fire Department.

Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Chief Eric W. Becker, a 48-year member of East Meadow Engine Company 2 and a second-generation firefighter who proudly followed in the footsteps of his father, Ex-Captain George Becker. Throughout his distinguished fire service career, Eric rose through the ranks of company leadership, serving as Company Captain in 1994 before being elected Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department in 1999. He made department history as only the third Chief to be elected to two terms and remains the first and only member to serve three terms as Chief, totaling 12 years in the department’s highest leadership position.

Chief Becker has been a driving force behind firefighter training and safety, serving on the department's Training Committee and helping implement personal bailout safety systems for all members. He was awarded the Nassau County Fire Commission Meritorious Award for the successful rescue of a victim from a house fire in 1991.

Outside the fire service, Eric retired as a Detective First Grade with the elite New York City Police Department Emergency Service Unit, serving 21 years with the NYPD. He also served with FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1, deploying to major incidents including Puerto Rico in the early 1990s, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the September 11 attacks. He later helped train future ESU members as an instructor at Floyd Bennett Field.

For more than 20 years, Chief Becker has also served as a Second Deputy Chief Instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy, helping educate generations of volunteer firefighters. Today, he remains an active member and head chauffeur of Engine Company 2, continuing to lead by example and consistently ranking among the department’s most active responders.