A packed room full of family, friends, current and retired firefighters, and Town leaders congratulated four new and a dozen promoted members of the West Hartford Fire Department at a ceremony at Town Hall Friday afternoon.

The scale and significance of the ceremony, Interim Chief Gary Allyn said, followed the retirement of several veterans firefighters – with the combined total of 125 years of experience.

"We are adding new members, we are promoting veterans, as we begin a new chapter in our history," said Allyn.

Also on hand was Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who praised West Hartford's "tradition of public service which is reflected in today's service and makes this community such a special and wonderful place to live."

"The profession and the values and traditions that you represent - nothing is more important than safety you bring to our community," Blumenthal said.

A "Certificate of Recognition" from Sen. Blumenthal's office was presented to all who were honored at the ceremony.

The following bios of the new and promoted firefighters were provided by the West Hartford Fire Department:

Promotions:

Richard Winn, promoted to Battalion Chief Feb. 13, 2012: Rich is a 28-year veteran of the West Hartford Fire Department. He has served as a firefighter, apparatus operator, fire lieutenant, and training captain. He also serves on the Capital Region Hazardous Materials Response Team and Connecticut Incident Management Team #3. Rich has been an instructor with the Burrville Fire School since 1984 and has been the school director since 1986. Barkhamsted has been Rich’s hometown for his entire life. He previously served as a town selectman for more than ten years and has spent the last four years on the board of finance. He has also served on the Barkhamsted Fire District Board of Directors for more than 30 years, including more than 15 years as president. He graduated from Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College in 1995 with an Associates of Science degree and from Charter Oak State College in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Individualized Studies. When not working or attending meetings he likes to work in the vegetable garden or R-Ving at local campgrounds.  Battalion Chief Winn is assigned to Group 1 as shift commander.

John Deckers, promoted to Fire Battalion Chief Jan. 1, 2012: John joined the West Hartford Fire Department on Feb. 5, 1996, and was assigned to Station 4 where he spent the first few years working until his promotion to Apparatus Operator in July of 2000. He drove various department apparatus for three years until being promoted to Fire Lieutenant and assigned to Station 3. His assignment to Station 3 was made because he was a founding member of the Capital Region Hazardous Materials Response Team which was assigned to that company. In May of 2007, John completed a four-year program at the National Fire Academy and earned the certification of Executive Fire Officer. In October of 2008 he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Station 4 where he had spent so much time as a new recruit. John lives in Simsbury with his wife Ellen and their three children Peter, John, and Hope. Battalion Chief Deckers is assigned to Group 3 as the shift commander.

John Griffin Jr., promoted to Captain Jan. 1, 2012: John was hired April 15, 1991; promoted to Apparatus Operator Oct. 1994; promoted to Lieutenant May 2003; and promoted to Acting Captain Feb. 1, 2011. John lives in Southington with his wife Corinne and son Collin. Captain Griffin is assigned to Group 2, Station 4 as the Station Captain.

John Sokolowski, promoted to Captain Jan. 3, 2012: John was hired as firefighter March 5, 1998 and promoted to Lieutenant in Feb. 2003. Capt. Sokolowski is currently a member of Capitol Region Hazardous Materials Response Team and is the Team’s Logistics Officer. He has been an Adjunct Instructor with the CT Fire Academy since 2006, where he teaches a variety of topics ranging from Recruit Firefighter to Fire Officer. Recently, John assisted in the development and delivery of the Department’s Mayday, Rapid Intervention Team and Safety and Survival program. Captain Sokolowski lives in Cromwell with his wife Colleen and their two children, Jack and Erin. Capt. Sokolowski is assigned to Group 2, Station 1 as the Station Captain.

Eric Munsell, promoted to Lieutenant Jan. 9, 2012: Lt. Munsell has been with West Hartford  Fire Department 12 years since being hired in 1999. Eric has been a member of the Capitol Region HazMat Team for 9 years. Before that he volunteered and worked part time for Waterford Fire Dept. and Ambulance association. Eric currently lives in Wethersfield with his wife of five years, Deanna. He has two step children, Madison, 13, and Garrett, 11. He also has a 2½-year-old son, Cayden. He enjoys most sports and especially football. Eric helps to coach his stepson’s football team. He has also been involved with Scottish Highland Games.

James Pascarelli, promoted to Lieutenant Jan. 5, 2012: Jim was hired as Firefighter in Sept. 1988; promoted to Apparatus Operator in 1992 and served at Station 5 for 19 years. Jim spent many a lot of time in the firehouses as a young child visiting his dad, Retired Deputy Chief Mattie Pascarelli, and feels that the West Hartford Fire Department members are part of his family. Jim live is in Windsor Locks with his wife and children. Lt. Pascarelli is assigned to Group 3, Station 1.

Walter Pastet, promoted to Lieutenant Jan. 8, 2012: Walt was hired on Sept. 23, 1993 was assigned to Engine 3. He was transferred to Engine 1 for a short time and then assigned to Quint 2 where he has assigned for the last 8 years.   Walt lives in Cheshire. Lt. Pastet is assigned to Group 2, Station 4.

David Walker, promoted to Lieutenant January 6, 2012: Dave was hired on Feb. 2, 1993. This was six weeks after his father, Ed, retired after 24 years of service to the West Hartford Fire Department. Dave was promoted to Driver in Aug. 1998. He spent the last 12 years driving for Captain Gerry Leblanc at Station 2. Captain Leblanc was one of the major influences in Dave’s career to seek promotion. Dave was named the Driver of the Year for 2006. He lives in Glastonbury with his wife Jackie and their son Colby, daughters Cailey and Courtney 5. Dave is assigned to Group 3 Quint 4.

Cheryl "CB" Billow, promoted to Apparatus Operator Engine 5, Jan. 4, 2012: CB has been on the job as a firefighter for 16½ years after being hired July 10, 1995. She was recently promoted to honor guard commander in 2011. CB is currently living in West Hartford with her wife/partner of 25 years. Together they have two daughters; the oldest daughter Callie is a freshman at Conard High School and the younger daughter, Makayla, is in 8th grade at Sedgwick Middle School. CB is assigned to Group 4, Engine 5.

Kevin McAllister, promoted to Apparatus Operator Feb. 14, 2012: Kevin was hired as Firefighter in 1995. He resides in Windsor with his wife Robyn, and has three children. Some of his outside activities include driving a snowmobile trail groomer, riding snowmobiles, and skiing in the winter. During the summer months Kevin fights wildfires on locations throughout the United States. He also works on an ambulance on his days off. Kevin has also been nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Award for pulling an unconscious man from a burning car while off-duty. Kevin is assigned to Group 2, Quint 2.

Richard Shea, promoted to Apparatus Operator Quint 3 Nov. 22, 2011: Dick began his career here as a part time fire inspector in August 1998. He became a line firefighter on Nov. 1, 1999. He is member of the Capital Region Hazardous Materials Response Team. Currently he serves on the Department’s Health and Safety Committee and is one of the founding members of the Department’s Honor Guard. Dick lives in Windsor with his wife Rachel and their daughter Kaela. Apparatus Operator Shea is assigned to Group 4, Station 3.

Kerry Warren, Apparatus Operator Warren is assigned to Group 4, Station 1. Kerry was hired as Fire Fighter on March 5, 1998. He currently resides in Glastonbury with his wife Melanie and sons Grady, who is 2, and Mason who was born Jan. 10, 2012. Kerry is assigned to Group 4, Engine 1.

Recruit Fire Fighters started Jan. 30, 2012 and trained for two weeks:

Lucas Jaccheo is a resident of Danielson. Lucas came to the fire service as a result of a life changing event involving the tragic death of this sister in a motor vehicle accident. With his sole reasoning being to help save lives Lucas joined his local volunteer department. Once a fire fighter, Lucas fell in love with helping others, the camaraderie with his fellow fire fighters and the dedication that comes with firefighting. Striving to make a career in the fire service, he worked at the Mashantucket Pequot Fire Department (Foxwoods) before coming here. In his spare time he enjoys being close to the ones he loves and holds dear. Firefighter Jaccheo is assigned to Group 3, Station 2 working for Captain Gerry Leblanc.

Anthony Leca lives in Watertown. He joined the Clinton Fire Department as a junior member in November 1977 and moved to regular ranks in 1981. Tony joined the United States Airforce as a firefighter in 1982 and was stationed in Plattsburgh, NY, and then honorably discharged in 1986. He then was hired by the State of New York as an airport firefighter. In 1988 he was hired by the Waterbury Fire Department and later was assigned as a charter member of Rescue 9, the city’s heavy rescue company. Tony was promoted to Lieutenant and then to Captain until his retirement in 2012. He was hired by the South District Fire Department in 2011 and worked in both departments until being hired here. When not performing my firefighting duties, he enjoys time with friends and family and girlfriend. He makes an honest attempt at being a golfer and enjoys riding time on one of his Harleys. Anthony also  works as a pit crew member on an asphalt modified race team. Anthony is assigned to Group 4, Station 3 working for Captain Sean Shoemaker.

Brian Marren has about 25 years in the construction industry, 20 of those years specializing in the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems. He joined the Cromwell Fire Department after moving there. Soon after joining the department, he decided that this is what he should be doing and started to prepare for a career in the fire service. Brian, his wife Nancy and their children Megan (13), Jenna (12), and Sean (9) reside in Cromwell. In his spare time Brian enjoys racing go-karts, motocross, and open wheel race cars. He spends most of his free time taking his children to their sports of choice: softball, basketball and volleyball for Megan; gymnastics for Jenna; and soccer and basketball for Sean. Firefighter Marren is assigned to Group 2, Station 5 working for Lt. Nancy Quish.

Jason Preuss is a resident of Bolton and started in the fire service as a volunteer when he was 16 years old. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Eastern Connecticut State University and graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy in the fall of 2010. He was formerly employed by his family’s lawn and garden equipment business in Bolton. Most recently, Jason was employed by the City of New London Fire Department as a firefighter. Jason has an identical twin brother who is a Connecticut State Trooper. In his spare time Jason enjoys outdoor activities with his Austrialian Shepherd. Firefighter Preuss is assigned to Group 1, Station 2 working for Lt. Carl Dojan.