CFD Holds Annual Installation of Chiefs and Awards Dinner
 
By Web Team
April 14, 2015
 

On Saturday evening, April 11th, 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 officers ceremony and awards dinner at Eastwind Caterers in Wading River. 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 swear in the newly elected Chief and Assistant Fire Chiefs, 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.

Chief William A. Brewer was sworn into office as the 42nd Chief of Department, along with his assistants, First Assistant Chief Lawrence Behr, and Second Assistant Chief William Burns.

Under the direction of the Board of Fire Commissioners the oath of office was administered to Chief Brewer by his father ExChief and Past Commissioner Arthur Brewer.

Immediatley follwing, First Assistant Chief Behr, Second Assisant Chief Behr, and newly elected Company Captain Amos Meringer were sworn in by the Chairman of the Board of Fire Commisioners James Forgarty Jr.

Outgoing Chief Antone E. Berkoski was was honored by the District and Department for his service as Chief for the past two years. He is being presented with several proclamations and gifts in recognition of his service to the Department and Community. The members of CFD would like to thank Ex-Chief Berkoski and his wife Geri, for their support and dedication during his term in office and in the chiefs line.

This year CFD is honored to recognize a member that has reached significant milestones in their firefighting career.
Firefighter Andre' "Bud" Bybulski was honored for celebrating his 60th year of active service.

Following a standing ovation, Bud was presented a plaque by the Chiefs as well as several proclamations presented on behalf of our local dignitaries. These items only serve as a small token of appreciation and thanks for their lifetime of service to the CFD.

In addition to the above longevity awards 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:

2014 Co-Firefighters of the Year – Chief William Brewer & 2nd Asst. Chief William Burns

2014 EMS Provider of the Year – Katarazyna Michalak

2014 Probationary Member of the Year – Mark Finnerty

Chiefs Awards: Lt. Chris Dinizio, James Rocco, Patrick Kaelin, James Burns, John Hinton Jr.

Unit Citation: Lt. Garrett Lake, Lt. Ken Burns, Oreanna Kaelin, Darrell Berezny, Jeff Smith

In what has become a tradition, the CFD band made a special appearance at the dinner, and played to honor the Newly Elected Chiefs. Band leader Tom Roslak led the band during the performance.

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 our fellow brothers and sisters of the Mattituck Fire Department who allowed our members to attend and enjoy this special evening. MFD provided an engine and ambulance crew to handle any calls in our District for the evening.

More pictures will be added as they become available.

Thank you to Ex-Chief Matt Martin for providing many of the pictures.

 
Units: C.F.D. - TRADITION - PRIDE - DEDICATION