On Saturday evening, January 17th, the Cutchogue Fire District, in conjunction with the United Fire Co. No. 1 of the Cutchogue Fire Department and the Cutchogue Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary held their annual installation of officer’s ceremony and awards dinner at Raphael Vineyards in Peconic. The dinner was attended by Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary members as well as local dignitaries and invited guests.

The purpose of the evening was to officially recognize and install the newly elected Chiefs and Officers for 2026, as well as honor our Volunteers for their service and dedication to the Cutchogue Fire Department and the community we serve. Several special awards were presented over the course of the evening.

Commissioner David Blados served as master of ceremonies and welcomed everyone to the festivities.

Chief Michael C. Boken was sworn into office for the second year of his term as Chief of Department, along with his assistants, First Assistant Chief Christopher Dinizio and Second Assistant Chief Jospeh Hinton. The oath of office was administered to the Chiefs by Commissioner Blados.

The newly elected Company Captain Kenneth Pearsall III and Officers of the United Fire Co. No. 1 were sworn into office by our new Suffolk County Legislator Gregory Doroski.

Immediately following several special awards were handed out.

This year CFD is honored to recognize (2) members for their time as officers in the United Fire Co. No.1. Both stepping down after many years in their respective positions.

Ex-Chief Allan Glover was honored to his years as Chief Driver of Engine 8-5-4 (2013-2025) and Ex-Water Rescue Captain Ed Nicholson was honored for his service as the head of CFD water rescue team for the past 20 years. (2005-2025).

Additionally Paramedic Bruce Zummo was recognized for his role with CFD's 1st Responder program and EMS administrative duties.

They were presented with plaques by Chief Boken as a small token of our appreciation.

Additionally, several special awards were presented to several members for service to the Department over the past year. The CFD is pleased to honor the following members:

2025 Firefighters of the Year – Molly Waitz

2025 EMS Provider of the Year – Daniel Edgett

Probationary Member of the Year: Ben Chiarmonte

Chiefs Awards: Ex-Chief Allan Glover, Ex-Chief Arthur Brewer, Chief Drivers, Michael Finnican, John Hinton , and Ethan Helgans.

EMS Top responder Awards:

EMT's:
Dan Edgett - 139 patient transports
Patrick Kaelin - 95 Patient transports

Drivers:
Gary Ennis - 48 transports
William Fannon - 45 transports

These EMS awards were presented to recognize the members with the most hospital transports for 2025. Throughout the year All or our EMS providers and Ambulance Drivers dedicate countless additional hours beyond the initial response to ensure the best care possible to our patients until they arrive at a hospital.

In what has become a tradition, the CFD band made a special appearance at the start of dinner, and played under the direction of their leader Tom Roslak.

The Commissioners of the Cutchogue Fire District, the Chiefs, Officer and Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department United Fire Co. No. 1, and the Cutchogue Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary would like to extend our congratulations and thanks to all of the night's honorees and award winners.

Thank you to the dinner committee for putting together a great evening.

A good time was had by all.

Thank you to our fellow brothers and sisters of the Mattituck Fire Department who allowed our members to attend and enjoy this special evening by providing stand-by and automatic Mutual Aid Coverage.

More pictures will be added as they become available.

Thank you to Ken Wilkenson and Universal Live Media Productions for the photos of the night.