A-Shift Firefighter Brian Sweeney took the time to train fellow A-Shift member and rookie firefighter Deerick Arzola-Torres on proper ladder techniques. A third generation Center District firefighter, Brian is a 7-year veteran of our department. His father Edward, served 34 years, retiring as a Deputy Chief in 2021. His brother Kevin, has served with our department since 2012, and is currently a Lieutenant assigned to our B-Shift.
On September 11, 2001, Mickey Kross, was a 25-year veteran Lieutenant of the FDNY assigned to Engine Company 16 in Midtown Manhattan when his company would be dispatched to the World Trade Center. Responding to the North Tower, they’d ascended as high as the 20th floor when the adjacent South Tower collapsed, forcing all remaining emergency workers to evacuate. Descending, Lt. Kross had reached the 3rd floor when the North Tower began to collapse as well. In what’s since become known as the Miracle of Stairway B, Lt. Kross along with several other firefighters survived. Now a resident of West Haven, Lt. Kross sat down for an extended interview with Center District Digital Media Specialist Mike Colón. This is his story.
Our Marine 4 unit recently out on a patrol in West Haven. you’ve been by the marina here in the Center District, you may have noticed our boat, Marine 4. A Metal Craft Fire Interceptor 12 CBRN, our responses with this unit include but are not limited to Marine accidents / fires, distress calls, search and rescues, as well as medicals. Commissioned in 2019, this boat is named in memory of our fallen brother Firefighter James C. Woodman, who died in 2019 from line of duty injuries sustained in a 1999 motor vehicle accident. With each run we go on with Marine 4, we not only bear his name but honor his legacy.
In a ceremony held outside Center District headquarters, members of all 3 fire districts stood side by side to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. As all stood at attention, the names of the 343 firefighters who died saving others trapped in the World Trade Center towers were read aloud and the bell tolled in their memory as well. Though 23 years have passed since that awful day, the importance of remembering those killed has not diminished, not now, and not ever.
On September 11, 2001, a vicious attack occurred on America. The Pentagon in Washington, DC and the World Trade Center in New York City both struck by airliners hijacked by terrorists. The Pentagon heavily damaged, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center destroyed, collapsing as a result of their being struck by the hijacked aircraft. In the end 2,977 innocent people would perish in this attack. Among those killed, were over 400 emergency responders, including 71 police officers and federal agents and 343 firefighters. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, members of the West Haven Fire Department responded to the World Trade Center to assist with the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. This is their story.
As part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant provided to us via the Federal Emergency Management Agency otherwise known as FEMA, we have received LifePak 35 monitors. You may wonder what these may be for? Well, in the response to medical emergencies, these monitors are utilized to provide high quality high efficiency cardiac care anywhere at anytime. We strive to carry nothing less than state of the art medical equipment for our paramedic providers to provide the highest quality of aid to those in need.
A-Shift Lieutenant Jon Drost instructs Firefighters John Mongillo and Ryan Pickering on proper ground ladder techniques. A 20-year veteran, Lieutenant Drost’s career with our department began on March 15, 2004. Promoted to his current rank in 2021, he brings much experience from his decade a half of time on the line to his method of teaching as a Fire Officer. Something younger firefighters like Mr. Mongillo, Mr. Pickering, and many more have been able to benefit immensely from.
Please come join us for our 4th annual West Haven Fire Expo which will be taking place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Savin Rock Conference Center! This is a great chance for the whole to meet and learn from your public safety heroes!
Address: 6 Rock Street, West Haven, CT, 06516
Time: 11AM-4PM
On Monday, September 2, 2024 we were honored to accompany Paul Veneto as part of his mission Paulie’s Push. Escorted by members of the Center and West Shore Districts as well as the West Haven Police Department, Paul with much support from our emergency response agencies and West Haven residents alike continued his 200-mile trek from his native Boston to the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. A former flight, Paul was an employee of United Airlines at the time of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and had previously worked on United Airlines Flight 175 which tragically on 9/11 was hijacked by terrorists and subsequently flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Pushing the same cart he did as a flight attendant, his push aims to honor the memory of his friends and all those who lost their lives on 9/11.
