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 2019

Joseph C. Armstrong

Joseph C. Armstrong, originally from Hartford, and growing up in Andover and Willimantic, served as a Sergeant in the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict.  After his return from service, he began a long career with the Connecticut Light and Power Company, working as a lineman, foreman, supervisor, district tree clearance coordinator and training instructor.

Armstrong’s true commitment was that of being a Volunteer Firefighter, beginning at the age of 16, when he joined the Andover Fire Department.  With Andover, he also was an Emergency Medical Technician and moved through the ranks, holding many offices, including Deputy Chief, Chief of Department and Honorary Chief.  Additionally, he served as a Volunteer Firefighter in Columbia, CT.

A member of many fire service organizations, including the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, Chief Armstrong was a Search & Rescue Field Commander for Tolland and Windham Counties and the Tolland County Commander of Search and Rescue.  He also proudly served as a Board Member for the Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service.

Following his retirement and moving north, he became an Active Member and Firefighter with the Fire Departments in Londonderry, Vermont and Rangeley, Maine.  Also an aficionado of history and the outdoors, he served in the role of Board of Directors Member with the Rangeley Historical Society and taught fly-tying for the Guides & Sportsman’s Club.

He is also recognized as being one of the implementers of the formation of the Fire Technology Course for Rham High School, in Hebron, and was a Fire School Instructor, in Meadowwood, NH.

William DeFord

William James DeFord II, a resident of Suffield, began his Fire Service Career with the North Thompsonville Fire District 10, of Enfield, and then became a Career Member of the Longmeadow, MA Fire Department, rising to the rank of Captain/Shift Commander.
Bill DeFord also has made a very positive mark, on many of Connecticut’s Firefighters, as a highly respected, professional member of the Connecticut Fire Academy’s Faculty. Starting out, first, as a Contract Instructor, ultimately rising to the roles of Lead Instructor and Program Coordinator, focused on the Recruit Firefighter Program.
Captain DeFord is highly credited for his role as one of the developers, and main presenters, of the Recruit Program’s renowned Physical Fitness Training Component. For countless members of numerous Recruit Classes, his efforts have established the foundation and acceptance that being physically fit is one of the paramount safety requirements for modern firefighting. For over 20 years, his impact, on virtually every one of Connecticut’s Recruit Training Program’s graduates, is legendary.
It is often said that Bill DeFord is not just an instructor, but more importantly, a mentor to his students. He is further respected by his passion, attention to detail, humility and pride in everything he does.
He has also been much respected for his selfless devotion and willingness to share his vast knowledge with many other Fire Service Organizations, both at the state and national levels.

Louis DeMici

Louis P. DeMici began his career, as a Firefighter, with the Danbury Fire Department, in 1979.  During his D.F.D. career, he received a Bravery Award in 1989 and a Department Unit Citation in 1989.  He is a veteran of the Unit States Navy, having served from 1969-1973.

A longtime, dedicated worker for Career Firefighter Collective Bargaining and Work Place Protection, he has served multiple terms as President of the Danbury Professional Fire Fighters, Local 801 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, as well as being on the Executive Board of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut and also serving as the UPFFA’s Secretary  and as their Staff Coordinator.  He also holds the role of being a Service Representative for the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Additionally, he serves as a UPFFA Staff Representative providing assistance to affiliated Locals in areas of contract negotiations, interest arbitration, grievance processing, grievance arbitration, prohibitive labor complaints, fire service staffing consultation, brief preparation and labor research.  He has served as a Labor Panel Member on several contract interest arbitration cases.

Louis DeMici attended Waterbury State Technical College and has participated in numerous UCONN Labor Management, International Association of Fire Fighters and Connecticut Worker’s Compensation Seminars.

James M. Eastwood

James M. Eastwood first joined the Fairfield Fire Department in 1966, as a member of the Tunxis Hill Volunteer Company.  He became a member of the Fairfield Career Department in 1968 and retired, as a Lieutenant, after 37 years.

Lieutenant Eastwood holds two Associate Degrees.  One in Mechanical Engineering, from Norwalk State Technical College and one from Hartford State Technical College, in Fire Technology.

Also a very active Trainer, in both local and wider regions, he has served as an Instructor for the Connecticut Fire Academy and the Fairfield Regional Fire School.  From 1995 through 2005, he was also a Field Course Instructor for the National Fire Academy.

He has served as the Fairfield County Fire Coordinator, as a member of the Fairfield County Fire Emergency Plan and the Mid-Fairfield County Communications Response Team.  Eastwood is also the co-founder of both Fairfield County Haz-Mat and Critical Incident Debriefing Teams.

Holds multiple professional training certifications, including Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Firefighter III, Fire Instructor I, Fire Instructor II, HazMat Technician, Safety Officer, Pump Operator, Aerial Operator and Emergency Medical Technician.

Lieutenant Eastwood has been a member of the Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanics Association, the Bridgeport Area Retired Firefighters Association, the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association, the Fairfield County Fire Emergency Plan, an Associate Member of the Webster Hose Company, of Ansonia, and the Monroe Fire Department.

A recipient of a number of prestigious awards, he was the 1976 Fairfield Fire Fighter of the Year, the 1999 Fairfield Jaycee’s Fire Officer of the Year and a recipient of a Fairfield Fire-Rescue Meritorious Service Award, in 1993, for assisting in the rescue of a victim from a structure fire.

Marquam R. Johnson

Marquam R. Johnson began his extensive Fire Service involvement as a member of the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, in 1973.  As a member of Collinsville, he filled the roles of Lieutenant, Deputy Chief and ultimately as Chief of the Department from1984-1986. 

Beginning in 1979, Johnson was a career member of the West Hartford Fire Department, ultimately leaving there in 1991, with the rank of Station Captain.  While with West Hartford, he developed training programs for haz-mat and incident command, served on the 1989 Fire Station Location Study Committee, implemented a computerized ladder truck inventory system and served on their Public Education Committee.

In 1991, he was appointed as Chief of the Torrington Fire Department, serving there until 2001.  Among his accomplishments in Torrington, he was credited with bringing the entire career and volunteer force into OSHA Compliance.  There was also the creation and implementation of numerous, written policies and procedures, as well as an Officer Training Program.  During his time as Chief, he also oversaw the creation of both a haz-mat team and a rope rescue squad.  Also, the Torrington Fire Department succeeded in raising its ISO Rating by one grade.

In 2001, he became a Day Time Driver for the Barkhamsted Fire District.

Chief Johnson is also very well known and respected for his extensive involvement in Fire Service Training.  From 1989 through 1996, he was an Adjunct Faculty Member of the National Fire Academy.

Beginning in 1982, he joined the faculty of the Connecticut Fire Academy, holding the title of Senior Instructor.  At the Connecticut Academy he is credited with developing a number of programs, including “Improving Your ISO Rating”, “Rural Water Supply I & II”, “Fire Officer I & II”, “Rural Tactical Operations” and “Fire Fighter III – Building Construction”.  He has also instructed, for many years, at both the Litchfield County and Hartford County Regional Fire Schools.

Chief Johnson serves in the roles of Statewide Fire Coordinator Alternate and Litchfield County Fire Coordinator.  He is also a member of the Connecticut Incident Team 3 and is the founder and team leader for the Riverton Regional Rope Rescue Team.

A graduate of Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Sciences, he is also certified as a Firefighter III, Officer I, Instructor II and Safety Officer and attended numerous State and National training programs.

He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the Connecticut Career Chiefs Association, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, the National Society of Fire Service Instructors, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

It is said that “Marq” was always one of the most progressive leaders in Connecticut’s Fire Service, always encouraging people to think “outside the box” and to look for new solutions to existing problems.  He always taught everyone to think ahead of the fire and not just to react to where the fire is now.

Daniel Keogh

Daniel Koegh began his Fire Service career, as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Eastern Point Volunteer Fire Company, in the City of Groton.  He rose to the rank of Lieutenant, before accepting a job as a Career Firefighter with the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department.  At Poquonnock Bridge, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Chief of Department and Fire Marshal.

After retiring from Poquonnock Bridge, Chief Keogh became the Fire Protection Systems Supervisor/Captain for the Mashantucket Pequot Fire Department.  In that role, he was responsible for overseeing fire safety systems and new construction for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

A member of many local, state and national fire service organizations, Dan was an Instructor for the Connecticut Fire Academy for over 20 years.  He was instrumental in creating the Fire Officer I Program, of which he was the Chief Instructor, and was a dedicated and professional Instructor in their Emergency Vehicle Operators Program.  He taught Firefighter Training Courses, throughout Connecticut, and was an Adjunct Faculty Member at Three Rivers Community Technical College, where he taught Fire Technology Courses.

James C. Koser

At the time of his Induction, James C. Koser has been a member of the Litchfield Fire Company for over five decades, beginning his service in 1961.

During those years with Litchfield, he held a multitude of different ranks, including Driver, Lieutenant, Ladder Captain, Engine Captain, Deputy Chief, Chief of Department and Commissioner.  Additionally, he served as a member of the Building Committee and three Apparatus Replacement Committees.  He was also the Co-Chair of the Host Committees of the Connecticut State Firefighters Conventions in both 2009 and 2014.  In 2015, he was honored as the recipient of the Litchfield Fire Company’s Choice Award.

Also very active in a number of regional and state-wide fire service organizations, Chief Koser has been a member of the Litchfield County Fire Chiefs Association for over 40 years, where he holds the honor of being a Life Member.  He has served that Association as their President, as well as having been a member of their Legislative, School and Board of Directors committees.

Also a member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, he has served the Connecticut State Firefighters Association as Litchfield County Vice President and as a member of their Merit Awards Committee.

Chief Koser has also been a long-time member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, where he has served in the Offices of President, Vice President and Sergeant at Arms.

On the national level, he held memberships in the New England Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

He is also the recipient of several other awards and recognitions, including the 1975 Junior Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Agricultural Service, the 2003 Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award, the 2004 Litchfield Public Service Award and the 2007 Litchfield Beautification Commission’s Certificate of Merit.

Locally, James Koser also served his community by serving on the Litchfield Inlands Wetlands Commission, the Water Pollution Control Authority, the Litchfield Bridge Committee, the Litchfield Capital Improvement Committee and the Litchfield Lions Club.

John Brett McAllister

John Brett McAllister served the communities of Woodbury, Colebrook and Winsted as a Volunteer Firefighter and as a Career Firefighter and Officer with the Wallingford and Waterbury Fire Departments.  He also served the Waterbury Firemen’s Aid Association, as their Treasurer.

McAllister is a certified Firefighter I, Fire Service Instructor I, Fire Officer I & II and as an Emergency Medical Technician.  He holds an Associate’s Degree, in Fire Technology and Administration, from Waterbury State Technical College, and Bachelors and Masters Degrees, in Fire Science Administration, from the University of New Haven, plus work pertaining to several Certificate Programs.

Very well respected by his peers in each of the Departments in which he served, it is said that he leads not only by word, but also by deed.

Over his years of service, he has also been recognized with a significant number of service and heroism awards, including the Connecticut State Firefighters Association’s Distinguished Service Award, the Firefighters Heroism Award, the Firehouse Magazine Heroism and Community Service Award, the Connecticut State Firefighters Association’s Bravery and Meritorious Service Awards and numerous Unit and Personal Citations for his service.  In 1986, he was named the Waterbury Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1339’s Firefighter of the Year and in 1987, he was given the Waterbury Exchange Club’s Firefighter of the Year Award.  He also was given the State of Connecticut Secretary of State Public Service Award and the Local 1339 Medal of Commendation.

Denis McCarthy

Chief Denis McCarthy, who was born and raised in Massachusetts, first affiliated with Connecticut’s Fire Service, when he came to the University of New Haven and was a participant in the Allingtown (West Haven) Fire District’s Firefighter Residency Program, in 1976.  A graduate of the University of New Haven, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Administration, he also has taken advantage of numerous local, state and national fire training opportunities.

Truly a legend in Connecticut Fire Service leadership, involvement and professionalism, he was appointed to the Westport Fire Department in 1978.  While in Westport, he rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming Chief of the Department and Emergency Management Director, from 2002 through 2005.  He then retired from Westport and assumed the role of Chief of Department and Emergency Services Director for the City of Norwalk, serving there from 2005 through 2015.  He then left Norwalk and became the Chief of Department and Emergency Services Director for the Town of Fairfield, beginning in 2015.

Chief McCarthy holds certifications as both an Emergency Medical Technician and Fire Service Instructor.  Over his years of leadership service, he was the coordinator of the first, Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, he developed the Fairfield County I-95 Hydrant Marking Plan and the Statewide Limited Access Highway Standpipe Plan. 

Additionally he has been the Co-Chair of the Fairfield County Freeway Management Team and Co-Chair of the Statewide Highway Incident Management Team.  He has also been the Chair of the Fairfield County Hazardous Incident Response Team, as well as being a Founder and Chair of the Coastal Fire Chiefs Association.

McCarthy served on the state’s Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, as a member of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Advisory Council, as the Founding Chair of the of the Region 1 Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Emergency Planning Team, Chair of the Region 1 Emergency Planning Team Training Committee and as a Program Developer and Instructor for the Connecticut Career Chiefs’ ILEAD Program.  He also has been the Co-Chair of the Statewide Entry Level Test Consortium and Chair of the Connecticut Fire Service Health, Safety and Wellness Consortium.  In 2006, he was named as the Northeast States Emergency Consortium’s Emergency Manager of the Year.

John Oates

John Oates has served with the West Hartford Fire Department, where he retired with the rank of Battalion Chief, as the Fire Marshal for the Town of Granby and as the Chief of Department for the East Hartford Fire Department.

Chief Oates is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds a Bachelors Degree from Franklin Pierce University and a Masters Degree from Oklahoma State University – along with numerous professional certifications.  He holds memberships in numerous fire service organizations, including the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association.

He has been an Adjunct Instructor for the Connecticut Fire Academy, Commander of the Capital Region Incident Management Team and as the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association’s Representative to the Office of Emergency Medical Services Board.

Additionally, John Oates was the Chairperson for the National Fire Protection Association’s Technical Committee for Motorsports Events Safety, a member of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, with a focus on improving health, wellness and safety within the Fire Service Community, and has led the Connecticut Delegation to the Congressional Fire Service Institute’s gathering in Washington, DC.

John Sullivan

John “Jack” Sullivan was a member of the Naugatuck Fire Department for over 43 years, having ultimately held the ranks of Deputy Chief & Fire Marshal, as well as having been the President of both the Naugatuck Volunteer Fire Department and the Naugatuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  He was also an Honorary Member of both the Beacon Hose Co. #1 (Beacon Falls), the Warren Volunteer Fire Department and an active member of the Waterbury Area Chiefs Association.  Chief Sullivan also worked for the Chromium Corporation of America, where he served in the positions of Electrical Engineer and General Manager.

A veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, during World War II, he was awarded their Legion of Merit for his development of electrical courses and equipment for the Air Force.

Very active in numerous professional organizations, he was a member of the Connecticut Society of Fire Protection Engineers, the Connecticut Arson Task Force and the State Fire Marshals Certification Program.  “Jack” Sullivan also was a proud member of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association and served two terms as their President. 

Also a very dedicated educator, Fire Marshal Sullivan served as an Instructor at the Connecticut State Police Academy and the Connecticut Municipal Police Training Academy.  He was also the Director of Education for the Connecticut Burn Care Foundation.

As an associate of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he investigated over 2800 electrical fires, throughout the New England Region, plus special assignments at major fires in Chicago and New York.

Sullivan was instrumental in the creation and use of the “Theater on Wheels – Fire Prevention Trailer” program, which was utilized over 3,500 times throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.  This unique and effective tool was credited with saving a family’s life, in New London.

Chief Sullivan was also very active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.  He was a Past Exalted Ruler of Naugatuck Lodge of Elks #967 and a Past District Deputy of the Connecticut Elks.

A noted recipient of numerous local, state and national awards, he was particularly proud of being named the 1983 and 1986 Firefighter of the Year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Presidential Award and the Gold Medal and Community Citizen Awards from the Grange.

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.