“A Salute to Connecticut’s Bravest”
Connecticut Exchange Club Award
2012
Firefighter Frank Docimo Jr
In his less than five (5) years of service to Stamford Fire and Rescue, Frank has already made contributions to this Department equivalent to a lifetime of service. The following is only a short list of the many contributions he has made:
- Frank is a skilled automotive electrical specialist and has worked on repairing, upgrading, or installing electrical components and accessories in almost every vehicle within the Stamford Fire and Rescue fleet, as well as, many other City of Stamford vehicles. Frank’s meticulous attention to detail is clearly evident with the quality and workmanship that he performs in every installation or repair that he performs.
- Frank’s background with vehicles has also enabled him to assist with the general maintenance and repair of the Stamford Fire and Rescue fleet. Frank often fills-in and assists the Department’s Mechanical Division when their workload swells or becomes backlogged.
- Frank is also an active member of the Board of Directors of the Stamford Fire Fighter’s Burn Foundation and has volunteered numerous hours with the Stamford Fire Safety Foundation Fund with their fund-raising and organizing efforts.
- As a member of Local 786, Frank has been outgoing in assisting the Stamford Fire Fighter’s Union with many of their charitable efforts, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
- As a fellow Fire Fighter, Frank is always available to his Brother or Sister Fire Fighters to assist them during times of need or to just lend a hand.
2011
Captain Eric G Lorenz
Captain Eric G. Lorenz has worked for the Stamford Fire Rescue Department (SFRD) since January 19, 1995 where he has progressed through the ranks to his current position of Fire Captain. Captain Lorenz is a devoted firefighter and has contributed much of his time to the betterment of others through his training of other personnel. Captain Lorenz is the SFRD Blood Bourne Pathogen Specialist and an Emergency Medical Service Instructor and is an Instructor at the Stamford Regional Fire School. His extensive knowledge in these areas benefited the SFRD by allowing his expertise to be shared through his instruction of others in the department.
Captain Lorenz is respected throughout the SFRD for leadership skills and his knowledge of firefighting strategies. Captain Lorenz accolades come in from area Fire Departments for his training skills and professionalism in his teaching. The SFRD has received numerous letters from citizens thanking Eric for his caring, compassionate and professional manner at incidents. Captain Eric Lorenz is one of SFRD’s bravest and a proud example of what it means to be a Firefighter.
2010
Lt James B Arndt
Group #4, Station #1Fire Lieutenant James B. Arndt has been chosen as the 2010 “Firefighter of the Year” for his outstanding & unconditional service and contribution to this department.
Jim has devoted an exorbitant amount of time to establishing the MDT system, Firehouse maintenance, PC & printer repair and maintenance, and the dispatching of paging & emergency notifications for incidents to the department.
Jim has effectively performed numerous tasks related to departmental projects which would not have been completed with out his willingness and commitment to said projects. Jim continuously is at the ready, at a moment’s notice, for any and all requests asked of him. Jim is extremely reliable and has the tenacity to follow through regardless of the challenges faced, in order to get the job done.
2009
Captain Matthew T Palmer
Matthew T. Palmer was cited for his life saving efforts while he was off duty. He was on his way home from working an extra shift at the Stamford Fire and Rescue Department when he stopped to assist a man who had collapsed on the sidewalk in front of a building in Hamden, CT.
Captain Palmer quickly determined that the man was in cardiac arrest and without hesitation started CPR while a bystander called 911. He continued CPR until the Paramedics arrived and delivered one shock to the patient that converted his heart to a normal sinus rhythm. Thanks to the quick actions of Captain Palmer, the man survived and was discharged from the hospital several days after the incident. Captain Palmer is to be commended for his immediate response to this emergency, which surely saved the man’s life.
2008
Firefighter Sean Gage
2006
Captain Joseph Vitti
Lieutenant Robert BarkerCaptain Joseph Vitti and Lieutenant Robert Barker are being recognized for their work with FEMA in New Orleans, LA in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
2005
Captain Miguel Robles
2004
Deputy Fire Marshal Terry Shay
2003
Firefighter Michael Repp
2002
Captain Michael Terenzio
Group #3, Station #1
2001
Captain Paul Newman
Captain Paul Newman was hired by the SFRD as a Firefighter, March 30, 1987. Prior to his career in the SFRD he was a Paramedic in Yonkers New York. During his Career with the SFRD Captain Newman was promoted to Fire Lieutenant, August 12, 1992 and later promoted to Fire Captain November 10, 1997. During this tenure, Captain Newman went on to receive an Associates Degree in Fire Technology from Norwalk Community Technical College and a Bachelors Degree in Fire Administration from John Jay College. While attending John Jay, Paul received the “Philip Gisses Award” for outstanding Academic Achievement by a Firefighter in a Degree Program. He has since gone on to receive a Master Degree in Public Policy & Administration from Columbia University.
Paul is the Co-Chairperson of the LEPC of Southwestern Connecticut (Local Emergency Planning Committee) and a member of the Fairfield County Hazardous Incident Response Team. He is also one of the Departments HAZMAT Officers and has received extensive training in the Hazardous Material field. Captain Newman has certifications in “Weapons of Mass Destruction”, “Emergency Response to Terrorism”, “Trench Rescue”, “Confined Space Rescue” and numerous other specialties of the Fire Service. He currently is an Instructor for the SFRD in these areas.
He has been actively involved throughout his career with the IAFF Local 786, the Honor Guard, and the Departments Softball Team. He is a Bagpiper for the Westchester Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.
“Captain Paul Newman is an outstanding Firefighter and a constant role model for this Department”, praised Fire Chief Robert McGrath.
2000
Firefighter Patrick Colin Burns
1999
Firefighter Charles Cackowski
1996
Firefighter Thomas Brown
irefighter Thomas E. Brown was honored by the Exchange Club of Stamford as the Stamford Fire Department’s Firefighter of the year for his community service. Firefighter Brown has dedicated the past 22 years as a camp counselor, which began his journey of helping kids at a camp for burned children, a camp sponsored by area burn hospitals and firefighter throughout New England. The International Association of Firefighters awarded Tom as “Camp Counselor of the Year”. In 1996 the Exchange Club of Stamford awarded Tom as “Firefighter of the Year” for his outstanding service to the youth of the community. As a volunteer and mentor, tom was also awarded the “2007” Outstanding Adult Volunteer” by the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County for his work with the Stamford Boys and Girls Club.
o assist him, Tom earned a degree in 1994 in Therapeutic Recreation. In 1995 he was the recipient of the Norwalk Community-Technical College Board of Trustees Medallion for Academic Excellence. As well he was inducted as a member of the “National Dean’s List”,18th Edition. Tom was also earned a degree in Fire Technology and Administration in May of 2000.
Tom earned his Bachelorette from Springfield College, graduate school was the next step. Soon followed by several Masters Degrees from the University of New Haven, including a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, 2003, Master’s degree in Labor Relations, 2004, and a Masters in Fire Science-Fire/Arson Investigation, 2006. Tom also received a Graduate Certification in Public safety Management in 2009.
Along the way, Tom received a University of New Haven academic Fellowship, and an induction into “Pi Alpha Alpha”, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration (June 2005), also an induction into “Sigma Beta Delta”, the International Honor Society in Business, Management, and Administration (May 2003).
Tom was also honored by being named the Norwalk Community College Distinguished Alumni Award at to 2012 Commencement, and was the keynote speaker.Tom was promoted to the rank of Deputy fire Marshal in 2010, a holds state certifications as A Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Officer III, Fire Instructor II, Safety Officer, and Emergency Medical Technician. Tom will continue his work at the burn camp, even after he retires from the fire department.
1993
Captain William Avalos
Firefighter John Martin
Firefighter Sean DalyParticipated in the Clown Squad Public Education Program.
1992
Firefighter Richard June
1991
Fire Chief Joseph Vitti
1990
Firefighter Richard Walsh
1989
Firefighter Donald Koch
1988
Lieutenant Donald Mitchell
Firefighter Scott Gill
Firefighter Robert Morales
Firefighter Mickey Zyara
1987
Deputy Fire Marshal Alberto Aguilar
1986
Captain David Jones
1985
Lieutenant Timothy Conroy
1984
Lieutenant Robert Lehn
Firefighter Thomas Morgan
1983
Lieutenant Kevin Tappe
1982
Firefighter Thomas J Mardi