Waterway expands franchise network

In its drive to build a national network of hose-testing franchisees, Waterway is pleased to announce two new franchisees in New York State—Steve Schuman and Steve Jackson.

Steve Schuman and his son Steve Schuman, Jr., will be responsible for Long Island’s Nassau and Westchester counties, while Steve Jackson and his wife Jennifer will provide Waterway’s hose-testing expertise farther north, in Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, Orange and Rockland counties.

Steve Schuman has been a member of the Wantagh Fire Department for more than 31 years. He was assigned to Engine No. 2 in 1976 and was the chief of the department from 1997 to 1999, when the department celebrated its 100th anniversary. The fire service tradition was passed from his father, a Wantagh chief who founded Nassau Fire Apparatus Service Inc. and is moving into the third generation with Steve Schuman, Jr., who is also working towards his degree in fire service administration.

Farther north, Steve Jackson has served for 5 years as a volunteer at the Roosevelt Fire Department, an officer for the last 2 years. After a long and successful career in retailing, Jackson wishes to combine that experience with his desire to provide his county’s fire departments with Waterway’s unique hose-testing expertise. His wife Jennifer, who works at Vassar College, will work closely with him managing the business while Steve does the fieldwork.

Ed Okinsky, president, founder and owner of the successful New Jersey business, says of the two new franchisees: “These are two real class guys. They’ve both proved themselves in other arenas as well as firefighting. They’re both passionate about creating a safer environment for both citizens and firefighters in their communities. It’s great to have them join the team to provide hose testing expertise to the fire departments in these important New York counties.”