The leadership and management expertise that Lou DiDomenico honed in on as Garden City’s former chief has proven to be a valuable asset in his professional life. He works as the facility manager at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU).
“Being a manager of people as the fire chief has translated over to my position as the facility manager. In the fire service, we have a chain of command, and at work, I manage about 45 custodians and maintenance staff. It’s similar to having to direct personnel on the fire ground,” said Lou.
Lou is the fire company’s president, and throughout his 48 years at the company, he served as a deputy chief and chief officer. He has three children, two daughters and one son. Lou’s son, Nicholas, is a lieutenant at Garden City.
Joining as a teen to follow in his friends’ footsteps, Lou had no idea what he was getting himself into. He commends Garden City’s stellar training program for helping him and other members quickly integrate into the organization and develop the necessary skills.
“I would say 90% of the people who join the fire service, especially the younger ones, really do not have any experience in firefighting. At Garden City, we do a very good job of training people who do not have any experience in it and safely being able to manage them through the process,” said Lou.
Garden City Fire Company is always eager to welcome new faces to its team. With roles ranging from fighting fires to providing administrative support, there are plenty of opportunities for local residents to lend a hand.
“The biggest thing about being a volunteer is contributing to your community and making it a better place,” said Lou.
To learn more about volunteering with Garden City, visit www.GardenCityFirefighter.org.