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 2010

Rev. Thomas Berberich

Reverend Thomas E. Berberich is a graduate of Simsbury High School, Class of 1950, and was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood, Diocese of Hartford, on May 7, 1950, at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, in Hartford, by Auxiliary Bishop John F. Hackett.

Father Berberich celebrated 50 years of ordination in 2009.  During that time, he served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, in Washington, CT; Our Lady of Victory Church, in West Haven; St. Mary’s Church, in Derby; was the Resident Chaplain of the Veteran’s Home & Hospital, in Rocky Hill; as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, in New Britain and as Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, in Kent.

Father Tom, at one time, was a member of the Derby Fire Department’s Storm Engine Company, as well as their Ambulance Corp.  Overall, at the time of his Hall of Fame induction, he had amassed a total of 44 years of affiliation with the Connecticut Fire Service, 39 years of which were serving the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, as its Chaplain.

He is the only ordained Priest who ever graduated from the New Haven Fire College and was named the Connecticut State Firefighters Association’s Firefighter of the Year, in 1994.

Reverend Berberich also proudly served the United States Army, as a Chaplain, beginning in 1966 – enlisting due to the severe need for Chaplains to serve our nation’s military personnel.  Berberich served multiple tours of duty in Viet Nam and received the Bronze Star Medal, three times, for his actions in combat.  He also was awarded the Air Medal Award, in 1968, for actions performed during the infamous Tet Offensive.  He retired from the military, in 1992, with the rank of Brigadier General.

Outside of the Fire Service and Military, he was named a “Hometown Hero” by the Town of Simsbury.  He also was a very active member of Social Services Task Forces, the Town of Kent’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board, their Veteran’s Memorial Committee and as a Trustee of the Kent Historical Society.

Allan Bowkett

Allan Bowkett became a member of the Thomaston Fire Department in 1924.  Over 51 years of service, he was elected as a Lieutenant in 1937, First Lieutenant in 1940, Captain in 1945, First Assistant Chief in 1947 and Chief of Department in 1951 – a rank he held until 1969.

Chief Bowkett served the Town, as their Fire Marshal, for many years, retiring in 1975.  Also, from 1954 until 1982, he and his wife provided Thomaston’s Police, Fire and Ambulance Emergency Dispatch Services, from their home.

Active in the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, he served as their Litchfield County Vice President and as the Association’s President, in 1967.

Active in many other Fire Service Organizations, he served the Litchfield County Fire Plan as President; was a Member and President of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association; a Member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association; a Member of the Burrville Regional Fire School Building Committee; a Member of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs; a Member of the New England Fire Marshals Association and a Member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Edward J. Cotter, Jr.

Edward J. Cotter, Jr., of Derby, at the time of his Hall of Fame Induction, had served with Derby’s Storm Engine Company for 71 years – beginning in 1939.  He ascended to the Rank of Assistant Fire Chief in 1946 and Chief in 1954.

A veteran of the United States Navy, he enlisted in 1941, participated in the Battle of Okinawa and received the Navy’s Good Conduct Medal.  In private life, he was widely known for his profession as a Reporter for the Evening Sentinel Newspaper.

In 1948, Chief Cotter, along with other members of the Storm Engine Company, founded the Storm’s Ambulance Corps.  This group repeatedly set the high standards of preparation and response, which many others, far and wide, worked hard to replicate.  The Storm Ambulance Corps was reportedly the first such emergency response agency to use both the Hare Traction Splint and the Military Anti Shock Trousers (MAST).  Additionally, they purchased and placed into service the first Hurst Jaws of Life Tool, in all of New England.

Cotter was a member of the ad hoc committee that is credited with the formation of the South Central Connecticut Emergency Medical Services Council.  He served as an Instructor with the New Haven Regional Fire School, from 1947-1978.  Also, in 1966, he was an organizer of the Valley Fire Chief’s Regional Fire School, in Derby.

From 1956 through 1960, he served as Derby’s Civil Defense Director and from 1970-1978, as the City’s Fire Commissioner.  In the 1950’s, Ed was the designated New Haven County Representative on the state’s Governor’s Advisory Committee on Firefighting.

Chief Cotter also received a number of awards for his dedication to the community – including the United Way’s Charles H. Flynn Memorial Award, the Chamber of Commerce’s Gold Seal Award and the Valley Bar Association’s Law Day Award.

Andrew J. Flanagan

Andrew J. Flanagan served the New Haven Fire Department for 25 years, from 1929 until 1957.  During those years of dedicated service, he served in the Officer Ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief and Assistant Drill Master.  He also served as the city’s Deputy Civil Defense Director.

Also active with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, he served both as the Association’s Treasurer and, ultimately, as their President –  in 1948.

Following his retirement from New Haven, from 1957 through 1972, he served the State of Connecticut as their first, full-time Director of Fire Training.  Always known as a strong proponent of Firefighter training and education, he was very instrumental in the development of numerous course materials and training facilities, throughout the state.

As a strong proponent of continuing education for Firefighters, he was also involved in the establishment of the Connecticut Community/Technical Colleges’ Fire Administration Degree Program.

In his memory, in 1974, the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association and the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association jointly established the Andrew J. Flanagan Memorial Scholarship – which, over the years, has helped countless volunteer and career firefighters continue their higher education goals.

James R. Guthrie

James R. Guthrie was a 27 year member of West Haven’s Savin Rock Hose Co. 4.  He was elected as the Company’s Captain in 1958 and served in that capacity until 1965.  In 1965, he was elected as a West Haven Fire Department Commissioner, where he served until 1975.

Guthrie was very active with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA), serving as their Legislative Chair from 1968 through 1975.  In 1975, he ably served as the President of the CSFA.  He was also a member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the New Haven County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan, the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association and the New Haven Box 22 Associates Fire Buff Club.

Jim was heavily involved in the creation of the National Volunteer Fire Council and served as Connecticut’s Representative, to that organization, from 1975-1981.  He also ably served on their Executive Committee, Awards Committee and Audit Committee.  In 1981, the National Volunteer Fire Council held their Fall Meeting in Windsor Locks and dedicated the meeting to him.

In 1976, Commissioner Guthrie was honored by the West Haven Professional Firefighters Association, Local 1198, when they held their first Ball and dedicated the Program Book to him…which was particularly rewarding and respectful considering that he, as a Commissioner, was considered as “management”.

He also served Connecticut as a member of the Site Selection Committee for the Connecticut Fire Academy and was appointed, by Governor Ella Grasso, to a Commission to study an Emergency Communications System for the state.

Chester H. Haber, Sr.

Chester H. Haber, Sr. first affiliated with the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department in 1946, ultimately serving in various ranks from Foreman through Assistant Chief and then, as Chairman of the Fire Board of Directors.

Chet served as President of the Hartford County Fire Emergency Plan and as Hartford County Vice President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association.

Always active in Firefighter Training, he was instrumental in starting the Hartford County Fire School, when it was originally located in Bloomfield.  Later, he served the Hartford County School – first as the Assistant Director of Training, and then, as the Director of Training.  For many years, he also represented the Hartford County School on the Connecticut State Firefighters Association’s Education Committee.

A Life Member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, he also held memberships in the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the New England Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association.

From 1987 through 2000, Haber also worked for the Connecticut Fire Academy, serving as an Examination Proctor.  In 2009, he was honored as Connecticut’s Fire Instructor of the Year.

Edward F. Haber

Edward F. Haber joined the Fire Service as a Charter Member of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department, in 1942.  Over the years, he served the Berlin Department in a number of Officer Ranks, from Foreman up to being the Department’s Chief for 33 Years.  During the same period that he served as Chief, Ed Haber also commensurately served as the Fire Marshal.  He retired from the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department in 2001, whereupon they dedicated their Firehouse in his honor.

Haber was instrumental in starting the Hartford County Fire School, in Bloomfield, in 1969, and also served there, as an Instructor.  He also served on the committee for both the Hartford County School and the Connecticut Fire Academy.

Ed Haber proudly served as a Commissioner with the State of Connecticut’s Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, from 1987 through 2005.

A member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, a member and Director of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs and a member of the National Fire Protection Association…he served as President of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association and both as Secretary and President of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association.

Lawrence P. Hurlbut

Lawrence P. Hurlbut was a founding member of the Winchester Volunteer Fire Department, in 1948, and, at the time of his Hall of Fame Induction, had been their Chief for 62 years.  Additionally, he assisted in the formation of the Drakeville and Torringford Fire Departments, both located in Torrington.

Throughout his career, Chief Hurlbut had been a staunch supporter of Fire Service Training.  In addition to serving the Burrville Fire School as a Director and Instructor, he also served on that facility’s Building Committee.

A longtime President of the Litchfield County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan, he also served as a County Vice President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association and, from 1958-1980, as a Connecticut State Forest Fire Warden.

On the occasion of his 60 Year Anniversary with the Winchester Department, he was honored and recognized by Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, the Connecticut State Legislature, the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, the Winsted Volunteer Fire Department, the Winchester Volunteer Fire Department and the Litchfield County Fire Chiefs.  Additionally, Chief Hurlbut received the State of Connecticut, Forestry Department’s Elliot Bronson Award.

Walter “Corky” O’Connor

Walter “Corky” O’Connor served with the New Britain Fire Department for 27 years, before retiring in 1975.  He served the New Britain Local, of the International Association of Firefighters, as its President, from 1953-1958.  During his years with New Britain, he also was recognized for his role in two different rescue scenarios.

O’Connor then went on to fill the role of President of the Connecticut Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association and served as a Commissioner, with the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, from 1973-1975.  During 1974-1975, he was the Chairman of the aforementioned State Fire Commission.

Howard G. Reynolds

Howard G. Reynolds was a Charter Member of the Eagleville Fire Department, of Mansfield, when it began in 1934, and served with them for 43 years.  From 1951 through 1970, he was the Chief of the Eagleville Department.  Chief Reynolds assisted in the formation of many area volunteer fire departments and was active in the formation of the region’s mutual aid and central dispatching initiatives.

In his professional life, he was the owner and operator of the renowned Wilcox and Reynolds Insurance Agency.  He was a veteran of the United States Army Signal Corps, serving in the South Pacific during World War II.

Active in a myriad of Fire Service Organizations, Chief Reynolds served terms of President with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and the Windham and Tolland County Firemen’s Association.  A Charter Member of the New England Fire Marshal’s Association, he also was a Director of the New England Association of Mutual Insurance Directors and served as the Fire Mutual Aid Coordinator for the State of Connecticut’s Office of Civil Defense.

Howard Reynolds served as a Justice of the Peace from 1934-1956 and was a member of the Town of Mansfield’s Building Committee for over 20 years.  In 1968, he was cited as the Town of Mansfield’s Outstanding Civic Leader.

Theodore H. Schroll

Theodore H. Schroll joined the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department in 1960, at times holding the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief and was Acting Chief when he retired in 1999.  A veteran of the United States Air Force, he was discharged in 1960.

A member of many statewide Fire Service Groups, he was particularly active with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association – having served them in many capacities, including President, Secretary, Credential Committee Chairman and for a number of years, was the Legislative Representative (Lobbyist) at the State Capitol.

A recipient of the Connecticut Fire Service Instructors Association’s Harry Kelly Award, Ted Schroll was also a President of the New England Section of the International Municipal Signalman’s Association.  In 2018, he was honored by being named the Connecticut State Firefighters Association’s Firefighter of the Year.

John Shanaghan

At the time of his Induction into the Connecticut State Firefighters Hall of Fame, John Shanaghan had been a member of the East Haddam Volunteer Fire Department for 80 years, beginning back in 1932.

During his years of service with the East Haddam Department, he served as their Assistant Chief for 22 years, then, as their Chief of Department for another 13 years.  He also held the position of Fire Marshal for some 21 years.

Shanaghan was a long time employee of the United States Postal Service, of which he was the Postmaster of East Haddam for twenty years.

Chief Shanaghan served the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, as its President in 1980-1981 and was a devoted member of the Connecticut Firefighters Memorial Committee.  In 1996, he was named as East Haddam’s Volunteer of the Month and in 2001, received the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Public Service Award.

Leno “Hank” Vescovi

Leno “Hank” Vescovi began his Fire Service role when he became a member of the New London Fire Department’s Oxford Hose Company, in 1938.  In 1941 he joined with the New London Career Fire Department and then, in 1942 switched to the Naval Submarine Base Fire Department, in Groton.  For 34 years, beginning in 1944, Vescovi served as the Chief of the Naval Sub Base Department.

Very active in many Fire Service Organizations, he was a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the New England Association of Fire Chiefs, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association and the Connecticut Firemen’s Historical Association.

Chief Vescovi was a Director of Eastern Connecticut Regional Fire School, in Willimantic and proudly served as the President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association, the New England Fire Department Instructors Association, the Naval & Marine Corps Fire Chiefs Association and the New London County Fire Chiefs Association.  He also was an Instructor at the Connecticut Fire College and the New Hampshire Fire College.

In 2007, “Hank” was inducted into the Navy’s Fire and Emergency Services Hall of Fame, to acknowledge his major contributions to the Navy’s Fire Services.

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.