John Busching Says 'Goodbye' as RVC Fire Chief

John Busching took the microphone for the last time as chief of the Rockville Centre Fire Department at Wednesday night's village board meeting.

Busching spent the last two years as the department's chief, with the four years prior to that as assistant chief.

"The men and the women that perform these functions do so at no expectation of compensation, but just because they love this community as much as obviously everyone here does," Busching said of his staff.

From his training to mentoring, Mayor Francis Murray said that Busching's leadership has left the fire department in a better place.

"He's been a fantastic chief," Murray said. "... He dedicated himself to our village. Volunteerism is so alive in the Rockville Centre Fire Department."

Commissioner Charles Gennario echoed the mayor's sentiments.

"Chief Busching, as my counterpart in public service, we worked together tremendously," Gennario said. "He did a lot to enhance public service and safety in the community."

Busching was chief through multiple major fires in the village, including one at Greystone Deli in July 2011 and another at the Pantry Diner in November 2011. The Rockville Centre resident also led the fire department through two major storms -- Tropical Storm Irene and Hurricane Sandy.

"The six years that I've been in office ... have honestly been the best in my 29 years in the fire department," Busching said. "It has been an honor to serve this fire department."

First Assistant Chief John S. Thorp III will take over as chief for the next two years.