WOODBURY June 28, 2024 – Woodbury Volunteer Firefighters responded to seven alarms, five of them for downed and dangerous power lines, between midnight and dawn on Friday June 27th, eventually went to work, and then, finally, enjoyed the annual dinner with service and heroism awards at the 1754 House.
At the event, State Sen. Eric Berthel presented Connecticut State Certificates honoring rescuers of Woodbury Fire Captain Steve Cunningham in a house fire last Aug 13. Cunningham was in charge of the firefighting effort and was trapped when a burning second floor collapsed pinning him underneath burning wreckage. He was unable to move for 27 minutes until firefighting rescuers dug him out. Those 27 minutes were critical because the nominal supply in his air bottle was 30 minutes while the unbreathable air around him was full of smoke, soot, and flaming particles.
Leading the rescue and receiving citations were experienced Woodbury Firefighters Bill Hickey and Ryan Murphy. They were assisted by volunteers from responding mutual aid departments. From Middlebury: Fire Chief Brett Kales with Firefighters Jonathan Calabrese and Morgan Kales. From Southbury: Fire Capt. Justin Moser, Fire Lt. Collin Anderson, and Firefighter Jon Bickering. In part the citations from Woodbury Fire Chief Janet B. Morgan read, “Putting your own life on the line to save the life of a brother firefighter reflects the highest tradition of the fire service.”
Plaques also honored participating fire departments in battling the blaze and rescuing Cunningham. They went to the Bethlehem, Oxford, Roxbury, and Southbury fire volunteer organizations. Woodbury’s department also singled out the Bethlehem Ambulance Association for its immediate change “from standby mode to life-saving response” in treating the rescued Capt. Cunningham. In civilian life, Cunningham is an IT security consultant. Woodbury’s own Ambulance Association was at another emergency call in a different location.
In other department awards, Woodbury Firefighter Mitch Chester was awarded a 50-year service pin, closely followed by Firefighter Lee Warner with a 45-year pin. The department’s vote for Most Valuable Member went to Elmer (Chuck) Kiessling, former Woodbury chief who also is retired from State Fire Marshal Office. “He’s always there and always ready when needed,” Chief Morgan said. The ‘Caboose Award’ goes to five new firefighters. It’s called the caboose because they are at the end of the line, bringing up the rear. They are Tony Delia returning after several years, Haden Ware, TV and theater actor Raphael Sbarge, and couple Allyson Modica with Jonathan Laukaitis.
In all, Woodbury firefighters made 362 runs, more than one a day, in the preceding 12 months from July 1st 2023 to June 27th 2024. Of that total, the top responder award went to frequent winner Earl Gillette, a retired commercial pilot. Gillette answered 250 call-outs in the year and beating Chief Morgan who had 210.
The Woodbury Fire Dept.’s two companies also swore in new officers following recent elections. At the Orenaug Company, Cunningham was re-elected captain, Matt Gereg is first lieutenant and Mark Mastrangelo is second lieutenant. In the Hotchkissville Company, former Deputy Chief Corey Shaker was voted in as captain, Joe Corey as first lieutenant, and Jason Hatstat is second lieutenant.
A special presentation honored administrative assistant Robin Tofield who is retiring. “She’s kept the fire center and all its members front and center for 26 years,” summed up Chief Morgan in a moving tribute. The evening concluded with Jim Arndt, chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners, administering the oath to active firefighters. Arndt listed the hours that the volunteers devote to training, maintenance, and calls. He said that if they were paid just the minimum wage, the town would hand over $347,031.42. Instead, he said, the town gets their devotion and labor for free.
