Copyright © 2024 Firehouse Solutions (A Service of Technology Reflections, Inc.) |
We use cookies and related technologies to personalize and enhance your experience. By using this site you agree to the use of cookies and related tracking technologies.
Petros mestheneas.
Freeport Fire Department
Firefighter of the Year Application Download Application
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is proud to announce that Petros Mestheneas, a dedicated member of the Freeport Fire Department, has been named the recipient of its prestigious Firefighter of the Year Award for his exceptional bravery and swift action during a critical emergency on April 1.
At 11:09 a.m. that day, the Freeport Fire Department responded to an automatic alarm at 30 Commercial Street, a large facility housing and maintaining more than 30 ambulances. Shortly after the alarm, a second report confirmed an ambulance on fire within the building. Upon arrival, units discovered smoke billowing from the building’s rear.
As the department began stretching the initial hose line, two firefighters entered the premises to search for any trapped individuals. The situation quickly deteriorated, causing disorientation and necessitating a Mayday transmission.
Without hesitation and without the protection of a hose line, Firefighter Petros Mestheneas courageously entered the building. He located the trapped firefighters — one in a storage room and the other in an adjacent bathroom. During the rescue, one of the firefighters ran out of air, forcing him to hold his breath. As they approached the doorway, the second firefighter also ran out of air.
Both firefighters were promptly taken to Nassau University Medical Center for evaluation and were later released. Mestheneas’s quick, tenacious, and skillful solo rescue, performed under challenging and punishing conditions, highlighted his extensive training and experience. His actions ensured that what could have been a tragic outcome was averted.
“Firefighter Mestheneas’s bravery and unwavering commitment to his fellow firefighters exemplify the highest standards of the fire service,” said FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr. “His heroic actions are a testament to the dedication and courage that all firefighters demonstrate daily.”
Added Raymond Maguire, executive director of the Freeport Fire Department and past president of the Fire Chiefs Council of Nassau County: “Mestheneas’s swift, tenacious, and skillful solo rescue, undertaken in challenging and punishing conditions without the protection of a hose line, underscored his training and experience,” he said. “Any delay, even a minute, would have led to a different outcome.”
2024 Firefighter of the Year Sponsored by:
2023 | Lt. Justin Berry | Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department |
2022 | Jared Lloyd (Awarded Posthumously) | Spring Valley Fire Department |
2021 | Mark Miller & John Tighe | Lindenhurst Fire Department |
2020 | Delphi Falls Fire Department, Manlius Fire Department, Cazenovia Fire Department, Pompey Hill Fire Department | |
2019 | Jason Bernfeld | Melville Fire Department |
2018 | Peter DiPinto, Sr. | Brookhaven Fire Department |
2017 | Joseph LaRocco | Smithtown Fire Department |
2017 | John Hansen | Smithtown Fire Department |
2017 | Jennifer O’Brien | Smithtown Fire Department |
2017 | Patrick Diecidue | Smithtown Fire Department |
2017 | Thomas Kriklava | Smithtown Fire Department |
2017 | Timothy Duckham | Smithtown Fire Department |
2016 | Frederick Kopf | Baldwin Fire Department |
2015 | Jeremy Corsaro | Moyers Corners Fire Department |
2015 | Ryan Whitmore | Moyers Corners Fire Department |
2015 | Phil Vogt | Moyers Corners Fire Department |
2015 | Steve Zaferakis | Moyers Corners Fire Department |
2015 | Frank Crispin | Moyers Corners Fire Department |
2014 | Thomas J. Gorman | Bohemia Fire Department |
2013 | John Curley | Bellmore Fire Department |
2012 | Andrew Kolesar | West Haverstraw Fire Department |
2011 | Captain William J. “Billy” Bahr | Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department |
2011 | Second Assistant Chief Brian J. Lena | Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department |
2010 | Jeff Hugunine | Verona Fire Department |
2010 | Aldo Cacciotti | Verona Fire Department |
2010 | Kevin Oatman | Verona Fire Department |
2009 | Assistant Chief Timothy R. Ellis | North Syracuse Fire Department |
2008 | Lieutenant John Ippolito Jr. | Bay Shore Fire Department |
2008 | Lieutenant Edward Kunz | Bay Shore Fire Department |
2007 | Lieutenant Al Cinotti | West Islip Fire Department |
2006 | Richard J. Gimbl | Holbrook Fire Department |
2005 | James Bucci | Rush Fire Department |
2005 | Peter Henry | Rush Fire Department |
2005 | Michael Terzo | Rush Fire Department |
2005 | Joseph Cirincione | Rush Fire Department |
2004 | Richard Prudente | Huntington Manor Fire Department |
2004 | Frederick Steenson Jr. | Huntington Manor Fire Department |
2004 | John C. Glidden III | Huntington Manor Fire Department |
2003 | Brian Stevens | Manlius Vol. Fire Company, Inc. |
2002 | Dedicated to those who died in the Line of Duty 9/11/01 | |
2001 | William H. Brown III | Ossining Fire Department |
2001 | John Simkins | Ossining Fire Department |
2001 | Donald J. Farrell | Cataract Hose Company #2 |
2001 | Raymond Valles | Ossining Steamer Company #1, Inc. |
2000 | Mark Sposato | Brewerton Fire Department, Inc. |
1999 | James S. Fredericks | Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association, Inc. |
1998 | Larry J. Stumpo | North Patchogue Fire Department |
1997 | Matthew F. Merecka | Freeport Fire Department |
1996 | David A. DiDio | Bellport Fire Department |
1995 | William H. Pyne III | Sayville Hook & Ladder Company #1 |
1995 | Kenneth T. Jones | Sayville Hook & Ladder Company #1 |
1994 | Paul A. MacMurray | Hudson Falls Fire Department |
1993 | Robert Pettigrew | North Babylon Fire Company |
1992 | George P. Motchkavitz | Great Neck Alert Engine Company |
1991 | Charles R. Zigrosser | Bayport Fire Department |
1990 | Robert Hitchcock | Blenheim Fire Department |
1989 | Robert A. Frank | Central Islip Fire Department |
1988 | Paul Edward Vinciguerra | Lindenhurst Chemical & Salvage Company #2 |
1987 | John L. Hyzer | Bainbridge Fire Department |
1986 | Michael F. Reid | Merrick Hook & Ladder Company #1 |
1985 | Thomas A. Phillips | S. W. Johnson Steam Fire Engine Company |
1984 | Frederic Furminger | Depew Fire Department |
1983 | Richard W. Gehrt | Smithtown Fire Department |
1982 | David L. Curley | Delhi Fire Department |
1981 | David A. Sedlock | Massena Fire Department |
1980 | George Jerry Dean | Gates — Chili Fire Department |
1979 | Randall R. Rhoades | East Syracuse Fire Department |
1978 | George Cannella | Islip Terrace Fire Department |
1977 | Alton L. Lewis | Montour Falls Fire Department |
1976 | Willard John Hoyt | South Schodak Fire Company |
1975 | John Richard Green | Merrick Fire Department |
1974 | John A. Keogh | Mattituck Fire Department |
1973 | Harry Charkow | Mattituck Fire Department |
1972 | Hobart A. Abbey | Forest View — Gang Mills Fire Deptartment |
1971 | Barry Simmons | Rhinebeck Fire Department |
1970 | Charles L. Ossont | Westmoreland Fire Department |
1969 | Thomas Nameth | Slater Chemical Fire Company |
1968 | Jake Parris | Patchogue Fire Department |
1967 | Gordon O. Schmidt | St. Paul Boulevard Fire Association |
1966 | Gary Elbert | Flower Hill Hose Company #1 |
1965 | Stephen R. Bucki | Harris Hill Fire Company |
1964 | Donald H. Price | Nyack Fire Department |
1963 | James H. Jackson | Andover Fire Department |
1962 | Russell Fleischman | Washington Engine Company #2 |
1961 | James Gilliam | Lewiston Fire Company #2 |
1960 | Donald Brown | West Carthage Fire Department |
1959 | Dominic C. Zappia | Massena Fire Department |
1958 | John Patrick Cronin III | Tallman Fire Company #1 |
1957 | William M. Belinson | Eggertsville Hose Company |
1956 | Edward Dixon | Great Neck Vigilants |
1955 | J. Robert Kramer | Lewis Tompkins Hose Company #1 |
Lawrence Fire Department Captain Eric Zahn received a Citation for Meritorious Conduct from Gov. Charlie Baker at the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Award Ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Nov. 18, 2022. (Ryan Mancini, MassLive)
Firefighters from across 17 Massachusetts fire departments were recognized for their actions on and off the job during the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Award Ceremony held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Friday.
Awards were given to about 110 firefighters across those departments, including the Norman Knight Award For Excellence in Community Service, Citation for Meritorious Conduct and the Medal of Valor. The Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal Award went to Dr. Christine Kannler, a dermatologist who works with firefighters battling cancer.
Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Public Safety and Security secretary Terrence M. Reidy each spoke to the award recipients in the seats behind them. Baker presented recipients with their awards, some going to teams of firefighters within one department.
The ceremony began as the Brockton, Greater Boston and Worcester Firefighters Pipes and Drum Bands led a procession to the stage. Pillars of the concert hall glowed red as fire department officials and their families stood at attention. After Reidy introduced the ceremony, emcee and WCVB-TV anchor Doug Meehan took over to speak.
“I thought I had a little bit of an idea and understanding of what you did,” Meehan told the recipients. “I was wrong.”
Meehan shared his experience participating with the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts at Boston Common in September, dressed in full gear and battling mock fires.
“It was a mental exercise and an understanding if not for just a brief moment to know what these men and women go through on a daily basis,” he said. “So I stand in honor of you all.”
Firefighters and their families from across Massachusetts walked under a large American flag entering Mechanics Hall for the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Award Ceremony on Nov. 18, 2022. (Ryan Mancini, MassLive)
Polito emphasized that while it’s natural to think of firefighters “as superheroes based on their work,” the risk for developing cancer remains extremely high. She highlighted the DetecTogether cancer detection program in Westborough, which provides early detection services and intervenes with treatment and recovery options.
“Because these superheroes are probably the kinds of people that put themselves not first but last,” Polito continued. “It will be incumbent on the leadership here, and the families, to make sure that you take every opportunity for early screening and early detection. Because response time matters. It matters in response to a fire and an emergency, and it matters to your health and well-being.”
Baker took to the podium to not only emphasize the quick thinking it takes for a firefighter to step into action but also how those actions can come with a cost. He addressed the “Worcester 6,” six Worcester firefighters who lost their lives battling a blaze in an abandoned warehouse on Franklin Street on Dec. 3, 1999.
“Every single person in the Worcester fire service who responded to that knew they were walking into an extraordinarily dangerous situation, for all of them, and they did it anyway,” Baker said. “A terrible, terrible tragedy ensued.”
Baker went on to recall the actions of Worcester Fire Department Lieutenants Jason Menard and Christopher J. Roy, who were both posthumously given the 2020 and 2019 Medal of Honor awards, respectively. He reiterated comments Meehan made about how much the work of battling fires is not like what people see in movies and is not fiction, but “it’s real life.”
Gov. Charlie Baker delivers remarks at the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Award Ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Nov. 18, 2022. (Ryan Mancini, MassLive)
“That in many ways is what makes this opportunity we all have today – and the work that we do every single day during the year to recognize and support the dollars and gear and legislation – the folks who serve in the fire service that to take the time, to do the work, to recognize and honor and acknowledge those very special moments that have taken place each and every year.”
The award ceremony recognized recipients from the Eastham, Lawrence, Bellingham, Ashby, Hopkinton, Berlin, Bolton, Springfield, North Attleborough, Foxborough, Stoughton, Tewksbury, Fall River, New Bedford, Lynn, Natick and Nahant Fire Departments.
Here are the firefighters awarded this year:
Eastham Fire Department
Lawrence Fire Department
Bellingham Fire Department
Ashby Fire Department
Hopkinton Fire Department
Berlin Fire Department
Bolton Fire Department
Springfield Fire Department
North Attleborough Fire Department
Foxborough Fire Department
Stoughton Fire Department
Tewksbury Fire Department
Fall River Fire Department
New Bedford Fire Department
Lynn Fire Department
Natick Fire Department
Nahant Fire Department
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Bob is a hero in the eyes of the people he saved and is a perfect example of the courage and heroism firefighters in our community display each day. This nominee truly deserves to be the Firefighter of the Year! Example #4. Bob Smith is a great firefighter and leader. Willing to take on the responsibilities of higher level personnel without the ...
Grand Rapids Professional Firefighters Local 366. ·. April 29, 2015 ·. A well-written Firefighter of the Year Speech. It's worth a read! Thank you all for sharing this evening with me. I look over the crowd and see faces I know well; co-workers, friends, and family all here to support me. I also see people I've never met until now.
Nominations for the 34th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards are now being accepted. Nominations should reflect conduct and actions that occurred between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Nominations must be postmarked by July 15, 2024. The head of the fire department should first review the Nomination and Award Info page for basic information ...
Firefighter Graduation Quotes-Anonymous. "Always remain a student of the fire service". "It always seem impossible until it's done". "The Fire Service is 100 years of progress, impeded by tradition". "An investment in Knowledge pays the best interest. You can never stop learning about an enemy that is trying to kill you.".
Firefighter of the Year. Fire Fighter of the Year. This award is presented to the one individual of any rank below a Chief Officer excluding Junior Fire Fighters who best exemplifies the positive characteristics of a member of the fire service and who has a notable record of service and achievements. Although not an award for heroism, this ...
Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award: This award honors a junior firefighter program or Explorer Post that has demonstrated significant community impact, innovation, and creativity.
WORCESTER (CBS) -- Massachusetts firefighters were recognized at the 32nd annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony on Tuesday. "These are people who swear on oath, and by swearing that oath ...
Fireman Bobble Head. For a light-hearted way to appreciate firefighters, there is the 5.5-inch Fireman Bobble Head. It adds a touch of humor and fun to appreciation ceremonies, capturing the fighting spirit of firefighters playfully. This is an ideal gift for events or ceremonies where a touch of humor is appropriate.
Kris was awarded the Kettering Fire Department's Part-Time Firefighter of the Year in 2012 and becomes the second career firefighter to have been awarded Firefighter of the Year as both a Part-Time Firefighter and as a Career Firefighter. The firefighters from Station 34, Platoon 1 nominated Kris for Firefighter of the Year and describe him ...
The 34th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony was held on November 21, 2023, at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Read more: https://www.mass.gov/news/h...
2. State clear objectives. Continuously clarify the oobjectives of the recognition program. Have a clear understanding of why the program is being implemented in the first place. Before you start ...
- Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department Annual Banquet speech given by Chief Danielle Rose. Each year we like to recognize members who have dedicated 300 or more hours to our community within the year. ... Firefighter of the Year: The Firefighter of the Year award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty ...
WORCESTER — Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and Public Safety Secretary Terrence M. Reidy today joined State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey to honor firefighters from across Massachusetts at the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony, held at Worcester's Mechanics Hall. WCVB's Doug Meehan emceed the ...
MA-221: Firefighter Paramedic PJ Goetz, Part Time EMS Josh Limbean. ME-108: Captain Jason Kamp, Engineer Steve Sharp, Firefighter Paramedic Justin Lund. ME-116: Captain Steve Halligan, Engineer Heathyr Best, Firefighter Paramedic Todd Burrows. MA-126: Firefighter Paramedic Brandon Dougall, Firefighter Levi Chronis.
The recipient of the award is determined by a nomination and evaluation process, which involves the entire group of current Mound firefighters. The firefighters vote for staff members that have had an outstanding and consistent job performance. The result is one individual being selected as the department's Firefighter of the Year. The award ...
Download Firefighter of the Year Application » Starting in 2010, The American Legion will give a National Firefighter of the Year Award to a firefighter who has exceeded the requirements expected of his or her position and has shown a distinct pattern of community service and professional achievement. The award, which takes into account heroic acts, will be given annually at the Legion's ...
Petros Mestheneas. The Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is proud to announce that Petros Mestheneas, a dedicated member of the Freeport Fire Department, has been named the recipient of its prestigious Firefighter of the Year Award for his exceptional bravery and swift action during a critical emergency on April 1.
Firefighters from across Massachusetts were honored for their acts of service at the 34th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony on Tuesdayin Worcester, state fire officials said. At the ...
Firefighters and their families from across Massachusetts walked under a large American flag entering Mechanics Hall for the 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Award Ceremony on Nov. 18, 2022 ...
The 33rd annual Firefighter of the Year Heroic Awards were presented by Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Os...
er. e to promote the public trust and support of our firefighter agencies.4. A ward Designation: This award shall be known as "The American Legion Firefighter of the Year Award" and it will be presented annually at the national. convention or other suitable American Legion settings. as appropriate. All Departments are e.
I recently had the distinct honor of delivering a keynote to the 13th Graduating Class of the Wake County (N.C.) Fire Academy. Thank you, Brad Pace, academy coordinator and training specialist at Wake County Fire Services and Emergency Management. I couldn't think what to say for about two months but then it came to me in a rush.
The American Legion. Aug 29, 2012. Lt. Tom Christensen, a 24-year veteran of the Waukegan, Ill., Fire Department, has been named "Firefighter of the Year" by The American Legion. The honor was bestowed upon Christensen, a lifelong Waukegan resident, at the organization's annual national convention in Indianapolis on Aug. 29.