Citizens, New Hires Honored by West Hartford Fire Department

The poignant sounds of bagpipe music and the formal presentation of the colors by the West Hartford Fire Department's honor guard served as the prelude to an awards ceremony Wednesday afternoon that honored both citizens and firefighters for exemplary contributions to the community.

The ceremony in the Conard High School auditorium was held exactly 76 years after the West Hartford Fire Department officially took over firefighting duties for the entire town on May 1, 1937, beginning a new era in fire protection said Chief Gary Allyn. The department now has 92 member and handles approximately 4,200 calls per year.

New hires Craig Astle, Branden Bohan, Nikhom (Eddie) Keopraseuth, Matthew Lyons, and Ryan Shea were officially pinned with their West Hartford Fire Department badges after completion of a rigorous training program led by Lt. Kevin Munson.

Numerous Citizen Awards were presented, including an award to Duffy Elementary School fifth grade teacher Clare Taylor who originated the "Where in the Blazes R U" service learning project undertaken by fifth graders all across West Hartford last year. Those efforts, said Allyn, saved a great deal of effort for firefighters during the February blizzard since many of the fire hydrants around town had been cleared by their adoptive families as a result of the Blazes project.

Charles Rolle of A.I. Prince Technical School received a Citizen Award for his contribution of "roof props" to allow firefighters hands-on practice of vertical ventilation training; Mike Camillo of Westhill Automotive was honored for his contribution of vehicles for use by the department; John Ramsey of WCCC received an award for his work relocated the department's main radio site, and West Hartford Police Department Records Supervisor Pat Noonan was honored for her work handling and organizing the call volume during recent storms.

Additional Citizen Awards were given for storm-related activities. Retired Fire Chief Bill Austin accepted an award on behalf of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) which ran emergency shelters at both the Elmwood Community Center and Conard High School for 10 days during the October 2011 storm. Conard Principal Peter Cummings and Assistant Superintendent Tom Moore also received Citizen Awards for their contributions to the shelter operations.

Director of Public Works John Phillips was recognized for the assistance his department provided during the February 8 blizzard, especially assisting in the clearing of a pathway so firefighters could reach a fire that broke out in a building at the intersection of Flatbush Ave. and Prospect Ave.

Fire Department members Warren, Matthews, Byrne, Bassett, Pacheco, Leca, Griffin, McAllister, Coker, Sinatro, McCombe, Howe, Marren, Skau, Munson, Pastet, Hammond, Antigiovanni, Bigham, Quish, Billow, Leonard, Kenahan, Larsen, Werner, Marren, Smith, McAllister, Campbell, Pettinelli, Duffy, McCurdy, Sokolowski, Walker, Foster, Jaccheo, and Winter received either unit citations,  distinguished service, or lifesaving awards.

Firefighter Adam Pacheco was named Firefighter of the Year. He was nominated by his peers for his off-duty actions in response to a serious injury that was sustained by a fellow firefighter, Lt. Keith Albert, on March 1, 2013 in a remote area in Maine – actions which reportedly saved Albert's life.

Executive Assistant Monique George received the Fire Chief's Award for exemplary service and dedication to the West Hartford Fire Department.