The Connecticut State Firefighters Association, Hall of Fame Award is to recognize present and former members of an organized Fire Department that have served both their Fire Department, County and/or State-wide Fire Service Organizations above and beyond normal expectations, over an extended period of time. Inductees shall have demonstrated both leadership and motivation, for the betterment of the Fire Service, throughout Connecticut and the United States. These persons shall have contributed, in a positive way, to the enrichment of the
organizations that they represented.

Not only is the goal of this award to recognize those leaders, as outlined above, but also to encourage young people to join the Fire Service, both career and volunteer, and to continue to provide leadership and experience, throughout their Firefighting years. Also, to serve as a means of educating and informing the public about the important and indispensable service and protection that the Fire Service provides for the citizens of our communities, state and nation.

Connecticut State Firefighters Association Hall of Fame Class of 2014

David Dagon

Fire Chief David J. Dagon first joined the East Hartford Fire Department in 1975, moved up through the ranks and was appointed to the position of Fire Chief in February of 1991.  In 2003, Chief Dagon accepted the role of Emergency Service Administrator for the Town of Mansfield.  His primary responsibility, in that office, was to oversee the administration of the two Fire Departments that protected the Town of Mansfield and ultimately, to complete the consolidation process of the Mansfield Volunteer Fire Company and the Eagleville Fire Department into a single, combined career and volunteer fire organization.  He was appointed Fire Chief of the Town of Mansfield, Division of Fire and Emergency Services, on July 1, 2005.

Chief Dagon holds a degree in Fire Technology and Administration, from Hartford State Technical College.  He also obtained certification as a Paramedic, a Fire Marshal, through the State Department of Public Safety, and is a Fire Service Instructor II.

He served as President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association and of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association. Additionally, he was Chairman of the Connecticut Joint Council of Fire Service Organizations and as a Commissioner with the State Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and as a Commissioner with the Connecticut Statewide Emergency 911 Commission.  Chief Dagon served on the Connecticut Emergency Medical Service Advisory Board and on various committees of the Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG).

John Gaspar

John Gaspar served with the Naugatuck Fire Department for 34 years, moving through the ranks and finally serving as Chief of the Department.

Chief Gaspar was a President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, a Lifetime Member of the New England Fire Chiefs Association and a Charter Member of the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association.

From 1990 through 1996, Gaspar was the Legislative Representative for the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, diligently and tirelessly working and lobbying, at the State Capitol, for the many legislative initiatives that supported and protected all of Connecticut’s Firefighters and Officers, career and volunteer.

Christopher Guari

Christopher Guari honorably served as Deputy Chief and Chief of the Mortlake (Brooklyn) Fire Company and as a Sergeant/Acting Executive Officer with the Connecticut State Police – Office of the State Fire Marshal.  Earlier in his State Police career, he had served as a Patrol Trooper, Duty Sergeant, Sergeant of the Eastern District Major Crime Squad, Acting Commanding Officer of the State Fire Marshal Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, as an Arson Detection Dog Handler, was in charge of the State Police Security Detail for President Bush’s visit to the Coast Guard Academy’s Graduation Ceremony and was the first Resident Trooper in the Town of Brooklyn.

Guari was the recipient of the Arnold Markle Distinguished Service Award, in 2011, the 2003 Investigator of the Year Award and numerous other citations and awards.

He was an active member of the State Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR), a certified Fire Investigator, a member of the Danielson Lodge of Elks, the International Association of Fire Investigators and their Connecticut Chapter, the Litchfield County Fire Marshals Association and the Windham County Fire Marshals Association.  Chief Guari also proudly coached youth football and softball teams.

Charles N. Harrington

Charles Nelson Harrington served with the Simsbury Fire Department for 50 years.  A Veteran of the United States Army Air Corp, he served during World War II as B17 and B24 Bomber Navigator and for 6 months, was considered to be Missing in Action, in Greenland.

Harrington was a Deputy Chief and an Honorary Life Member of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company.  He was a Connecticut State Forest Fire Warden, a founder of the Hartford County Regional Fire Training School and served as their Director of Training.  He served as President of the Hartford County Fire Emergency Plan and held memberships in the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the New England Association of Fire Chiefs, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and the Connecticut Fire Instructors Association.  Chief Harrington was also a very active member of the Masonic Fraternity and held memberships in many of their appendant organizations.

Chief Harrington worked for over 30 years for the Allen Manufacturing Company, in Bloomfield.  Later, he worked in Sales for Shipman’s Fire Equipment.  Finally, he owned and managed his own Fire Equipment Sales firm – Charles N. Harrington Company.

George N. Koser

George N. Koser was part of the Litchfield Fire Company for 66 years, serving them as their Foreman for 20 years and as their Chief for 24 years.  Additionally, for 12 years, he filled the position of Fire Marshal.

Active in many state and regional professional organizations, he was a longtime member and officer of the Litchfield County Fire Emergency Plan, holding the offices of Second Vice President, First Vice President and President.  Chief Koser also was a longtime member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association and served as their Litchfield County Vice President.

Additionally, he was a devoted member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the New England Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Richard H. Nicol

Richard Nicol served for many years with the Middlebury Fire Department – holding the various ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Drill Master, Deputy Chief, Chief and Commissioner.

He dedicated many hours as a longtime Commissioner with the State of Connecticut – Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, representing the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association.  He was a Past President of both the Waterbury Area Chiefs and the Connecticut Parade Marshals Association.

Nicol also served as a member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association – Education Committee, the Connecticut Fire Instructors and the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association.

Salvatore Pitruzzello

Salvatore N. Pitruzzello is a Past Assistant Chief, from the Portland Fire Department.  Chief Pitruzzello served in the United States Navy during both World War II and the Korean War, where he became proficient in dealing with shipboard oil fires and damage control.

Chief Pitruzzello joined the Portland Fire Department in 1953 and received training from the Hartford County Fire School, the New Haven Fire School, the Eastern Connecticut Fire School and at Connecticut Valley Hospital.  He holds over 35 certificates in the Fire Service.  Pitruzzello was named a Life Member of the Portland Fire Department, in 2011, and also served as their Honorary Chaplain while also providing extensive assistance to their Chief’s Office, the Training Committee, the Apparatus Replacement Committee, the Parade Committee and their Explorer Post.

Beyond the borders of Portland Fire Department, Sal worked with the Annual Fire/EMS Mass, in Norwich, and served as the Honorary Chairman in 1999.  He also was an Organizer and Committee Chair of Portland’s Red White and Blue Mass.  He is a member and former Officer of the Middlesex County Fire Chiefs Association, also supporting them as their Honorary Chaplain.  He is a member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association and served the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, as Middlesex County Vice President, for a number of terms.  Sal also is a proud member of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America.

In 1995, Chief Pitruzzello was presented an award, from the Portland Fire Department, for service “above and beyond the call of duty”.  This award, “The Salvatore Pitruzzello Award”, is now given each year, to a member of their Department who demonstrates the same commitment and sacrifice, to the citizens of Portland, and those around their community, as Sal did.

Paul Rapanault

Paul J. Rapanault served the West Haven Fire Department for 25 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant.  During his career, he was an Emergency Medical Technician, a Paramedic, a member of the South Central Connecticut Emergency Services Advisory Board, a member of the First Fire District Pension Board and held nearly every office of the West Haven Professional Fire Fighters Local 1198.  Those offices included President, Secretary, Treasurer, Pension Representative, District Representative and Steward.

He received the West Haven Fire Department’s Citation for Bravery, due to his actions in a shooting incident of a West Haven Police Officer and a Connecticut State Trooper, along with several other commendations.

Lt. Rapanault also was an active member of the West Haven Community.  He was elected to the City Council, served as Republican Town Chairman and was a candidate for the Office of Mayor.  He also served as Campaign Manager for several state office holders.  He served on the Board of Directors of the West Haven Community House and the West Haven Chamber of Commerce and was on the West Haven Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union Auditing Committee.

Upon retiring from the Fire Service, Paul helped organize the Retired Professional Fire Fighters Association of West Haven and worked as the State Legislative Representative of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.

Rapanault held memberships in the Masonic and Elk fraternal organizations and was a Eucharistic Minister, serving St. Lawrence Parish.

Charles M. Stankye, III

Charles M. Stankye, III, of Derby is a former Chief of the Derby Fire Department and a Past President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association.  “Chuck” has the distinct honor of also following in his father’s footsteps as a Hall of Fame Inductee and as a Commissioner with the State’s Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.  He is a long time member of Derby’s Paugassett Hook & Ladder Company #4, beginning in 1974, as a member of the Civil Defense Auxiliary.  During his years of service, he held multiple Line Offices.

Chief Stankye has also served the Connecticut State Firefighters Association in other capacities, including, but not limited to being New Haven County Vice President, Chair of the Association’s Merit Awards Committee and the Regional Fire School/Education Committee.  In 2005, he was a recipient of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association Life Saving Award.

He is a Past President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, a member of the New Haven County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan and a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators.  Also, he was very active in the Valley Fire Chiefs Association and their Valley Regional Fire School, serving as President, Secretary, Board of Directors Member, Safety Officer and Instructor.

His Public Safety record continued well beyond the Fire Service, as he is also a Retired Police Officer, having served with the Derby Police Department, in a number of roles, for many years.

His community commitments also have been serving Griffin Hospital, the American Red Cross and the Boys Scouts of America, in many different capacities.  He proudly holds the honor of being an Eagle Scout.

Ronald Stolz

Ronald Stolz, of the Yantic section of Norwich, began his Fire Service role in 1956.  He is a lifelong member of the Yantic Fire Engine Company No. 1 and held numerous ranks and offices, up to and including Chief of the Company.  Chief Stolz was also very active in the Norwich Diocese Firefighter/EMS Mass.

Chief Stolz has been President of the New London County Fire Chiefs Association, New London County Vice President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association and has served on the Firefighters Association’s Legislative and Credential Committees.  He is also a long time Member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association.

Stolz, over the years, he been rendered numerous awards and proclamations from various city, state and regional organizations.

Donald H. Swanson, Sr.

Donald H. Swanson, Sr. first joined the Cromwell Fire Department in 1955.  Over his years of service, he held the various Line Officer positions of Engineer, Captain, 2^nd Assistant Chief, 1^st Assistant Chief, Safety Officer and Chief.  Chief Swanson also dedicated many years of service on the Cromwell Fire District Commission, including being their President/Chairman, Secretary/Clerk and serving on numerous Building and Apparatus Purchase Committees.

Chief Swanson was also a Member and Past President of the Middlesex County Fire Chiefs Association, serving as their President in 1984-85 and as a member of their first Fire Training School Building Committee.

Swanson also was a member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars.  He was a Founder and the first Commodore of the Cromwell Outboard Association

He has been presented with a number of awards and recognitions – including given the Connecticut District Exchange Club Firefighter of the Year Award, the Cromwell Man of the Year Award, the Cromwell Grange Citizen of the Year and the Cromwell Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year.

Chief Swanson was also a Founding Member and long-time Director of the Cromwell Grenadiers Junior Auxiliary Fife and Drum Corps.

James P. Wilkinson

James Wilkinson served with the Milford Fire Department, starting as a Charter Member and Secretary of the Milford Fire Department/Boy Scouts of America Explorer Post 944 and then, as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Fort Trumbull Beach Fire Co. No. 2, starting in 1971.  In 1974, he was appointed to the career Milford Fire Department and served over 34 years, retiring as the Assistant Chief of Operations.  After retiring from the Milford Fire Department, he worked for 18 months as the Director of Emergency Services for the American Red Cross, Southwestern Connecticut.  Then, for six years as an Emergency Vehicle Sales Representative, covering Western Connecticut, for New England Fire Equipment and Apparatus Corp.  He is a Cum Laude graduate of Housatonic Community College, Class of 1973, with an Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration.

During his years of service with the Milford Fire Department, Chief Wilkinson received a number of commendations, including the Ryder Lifesaving Award, the Milford Jaycees Outstanding Young Firefighter Award, Milford Board of Fire Commissioners Community Service Award, the Connecticut State Firefighters Association Life Saving Award, the Milford Fire Department Medal of Merit, four Milford Fire Department Meritorious Service Medals and was included in multiple Unit Citations.  He was a member of the Milford Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 944, serving as Secretary-Treasurer for a number of years, as well as being on the Negotiating Committee and the Department Safety Committee, a Delegate to the Connecticut Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association and Delegate to several International Association of Fire Fighters National Conventions.

Outside of the Milford Fire Department, he was a member and active participant in a number of Fire Service Organizations.  He served several terms as the New Haven County Vice President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association and as Association President in 2007-2008.  He was a Commissioner with the State of Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, from 1999-2009 and served as Chairman of the Connecticut Joint Council of Fire Service Organizations, in 2007-2008.  Additionally, he has been the President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the New Haven County Fire Emergency Plan, State Fire Commission Liaison and Vice Chairman of the Regional Fire School Education Committee, Proxy Member of the Board of the South Central Connecticut CMED and Executive Board Member of the New Haven Area Special Hazards Team.

Chief Wilkinson also held memberships in the Milford Paid Firemen’s Sick Benefit Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the National Fire Protection Association – Fire Service Section, the New England Association of Fire Marshals, the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the International Society of Fire Instructors, the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association, the New Haven Area Career Fire Service Instructors Group, Engine 260 – Inc. of Milford, the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motorized Fire Apparatus in America and the Connecticut Fire Historical Society.

During his career, he was a Connecticut Certified Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Firefighter, Certified Pump Operator, Certified Fire Officer I, Certified Fire Officer II, Certified Fire Instructor I, Certified Fire Instructor II and Certified Fire Marshal.

Nomination Forms are encouraged and are available by clicking this link. Nominations can be submitted at any time. Traditionally, there is a cutoff date, during the month of November. Nominations are then reviewed and those selected, for induction, are notified during the following January. The annual induction dinner/ceremony is traditionally held the following April. The submitted nomination packet describes the nominee’s positions, deeds, accomplishments, awards of distinction, lengths of service and other pertinent information – including, but not limited to other worthwhile community services and recognitions.

Headshots may be submitted by email to webmaster@csfa.org.