Hired by our department on October 1, 1999, Captain Perry recently celebrated 25 years of service to the Center District. Working as first a firefighter for 21 years, he served on multiple different shifts before his promotion to Lieutenant on April 15, 2020. Upon the retirement of Captain Jeffrey Testut, Perry would be promoted again on July 25, 2023, this time to Captain, replacing Testut as commander of our department’s D-Shift. When not on shift, the Captain remains on call, helping his fellow firefighters as Union President for Local 1198.
IN REMEMBRANCE: This past Sunday, November 10, marked 50 years since Lieutenant Joe Hines died in the line of duty. Sworn in to our department on June 8, 1957, he served for 14 years as a firefighter before his ascent to the rank of Lieutenant on September 3, 1971. Responding to a structure fire at the Armstrong Rubber Facility, Lieutenant Hines suffered severe effects of smoke inhalation and died as a result of those injuries. Half a century after his sacrifice we remember Lieutenant Hines for his service, selflessness, and the courage he demonstrated right until the end.
Part 2 of our ongoing interview series on Facets of Fire Command features Chief of Department James O’Brien, who in his 31 years in the fire service, has been an officer for 23 of them. Serving as a Lieutenant from 2001-2007, and Chief of Department from 2007 until the present day. Here are some memorable moments and incidents he can recall from his lengthy career.
We recently sat down and profiled Deputy Chief of Administration William Johnson, the current longest serving member of our department, as part of an ongoing project highlighting both command principles and the careers and experiences of our fire officers. In a near four decade career, what are the fires and emergencies that most stand out? Listen here as he shares.
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.
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.
Reliance on veteran personnel in any profession is essential to growing within and better understanding one’s role. In firefighting, senior personnel are indispensable and invaluable.
Among our more experienced personnel is Deputy Chief of Operations Ron Pisani and Lieutenant Joseph Bruneau, both seen here discussing operations at the scene of a recent structure fire.
Between these two men is over 60 years of firefighting experience. Chief Pisani is a 31-year fire service veteran as well as Navy veteran, joining our department in 1993. Among his previous experience includes serving as a Lieutenant for nearly 20 years as well as commander of our department’s B-Shift.
Lieutenant Bruneau, a 29-year fire service veteran, joined our department in 1995, following in the footsteps of his father, of whom served the Center District for 31 years until his retirement in 2000. A longtime B-Shift firefighter, Lieutenant Bruneau at one point held our prestigious Badge 1, signifying his position at the time as the most senior firefighter in the department before his promotion to Lieutenant in May 2023.
The emergencies these two have been to, stories they can tell, and knowledge they can and have shared are endless. They are both two of several continuing guiding forces in molding our firefighters for the better. One drill, story, and advice session at a time.
We’d like to congratulate Deputy Chief of Administration William Johnson on completing his 39th year with our department.
Chief Johnson began his career with us on March 14, 1985, and has served in several roles over the years including Lieutenant of which he was promoted to on November 7, 2001, Day Captain on May 5, 2020, and his current rank of Deputy Chief on March 23, 2021.
Chief Johnson is one of 8 members to complete 35 years with our department and stands to soon surpass the amount of time his father, late Chief of Department William Johnson Sr. (shown in the second photograph and on the left in the first photograph), served in the Center District at 40 years and 7 months (July 1, 1966 through February 22, 2007)
The irons for decades has been an essential tool in the fire service, but what’s the history behind it? We detail it here in the latest edition of ‘Did You Know?’
Here is a dance card from the 1938 Annual Ball hosted by North End Hose Company #3. These cards were actual works of art. It is one of several from our collection. I thought this would be appropriate because of the St. Patrick’s Day theme.
