In January, Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly, a retired member of the FDNY and three-decade volunteer firefighter who focuses on safety issues, was named chair of the Legislature’s vital Public Safety Committee. Historically always one of the largest committees in the Legislature, when Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory appointed then newly-elected Legislator Sam Gonzalez to Public Safety in March, the committee expanded to 10 members, the largest in the Legislature’s almost 50-year history. Legislator Gonzales joined the Legislature after winning the special election to complete New York State Senator Monica Martinez’ term.
The Public Safety Committee has jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to law-enforcement related business or activities, including the Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department, the County’s correctional facilities and Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES). The committee is bi-partisan with legislators from both parties serving.
“As a three-decade first responder, I was honored and humbled to have been selected to serve as chair of Suffolk County’s Public Safety Committee earlier this year,” said Legislator Donnelly. “While the committee has always been geographically well-represented, this expansion improves on that even more, ensuring that we can continue our mission to make Suffolk one of the safest counties in the nation. As chair, I will continue to focus on the need to keep working together in a bi-partisan matter and with all levels of government for the well-being of our residents.”