Chief Donald J. Corkery began his fire service career with the Wyandanch Fire     Company in the Fall of 1969. His dad, John was a firefighter with Massapequa Engine Company #5 and his father in-law, Richard Klapproth, was a Wyandanch Ex-Chief. Don moved to Sayville and joined Resolute Hose Co. # 1 of the Sayville Fire Department in 1972. In 1976 he started the progression as a line officer and was elected Lieutenant and the Captain of the Resolute Hose Company. He was elected to the position of Assistant Chief in 1981 and then became Acting Chieg in 1984. Don served as Chief of Department from 1985 – 1987. He served as President of the Islip Chief's Council and Suffolk Fire Chiefs Council. In 1982 he was appointed a Deputy Fire Coordinator for Suffolk County and later served as the Chief Deputy Fire Coordinator from 1992 – 2005. He also served as Deputy Commissioner of Suffolk County Fire / Rescue and Emergency Services in 2005. Don has been a member of NYSAFC since 1980 and served on the Public Education, Codes, Life Safety and Conference Committees for 18 years.

    Don's salaried career was "working on the railroad" – The Long Island Railroad. He started as a "fireman" on a locomotive and then became a locomotive engineer. He worked in the Training Division for 25 years and retired as the Director of Training in 2004. In addition to training L.I.R.R. employees, his responsibilities included training firefighters from FDNY, Nassau and Suffolk Counties on railroad safety. Corkery was also an instructor for the Suffolk County Fire Academy.

    Today he is an active Ex-Chief of his department and is the Blue Jays Drill Team "C" truck driver. Corkery is completing his fifth term as Fire Commissioner and is currently serving as 1st Vice President of the Suffolk County Fire District Officers Association.

    In his spare time, he rides his Harley Davidson Ultra motorcycle with the Riders of Fire Motorcycle Club. He enjoys NASCAR racing and golfing. He has been married to wife Laura for 35 years and the have two children, Brian and Kate.