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 2011

Peter Beckwith

Peter E. Beckwith first entered into the Fire Service in 1950, as a member of the Willimantic Auxiliary (Civil Defense) Fire Department – where he served until 1960.  He also participated in the Windham County Rescue Team, from 1957 through 1960.

In 1961, he was appointed as a Firefighter to the Town of Manchester Fire Department, later referred to as the Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS.  Ultimately, he achieved the rank of Deputy Chief/Shift Commander and retired in 1993.  A very progressive Fire Officer, Chief Beckwith is credited with implementing Fire Ground Standard Operating Procedures, Pumper mounted, pre-connected Deluge Monitors and Building Mounted, Emergency Responder accessible Lock Key Boxes.  He also served as a Hartford County Deputy Fire Coordinator from 1986-1990.

A well respected Instructor, he served on the faculties of the Eastern Connecticut Regional Fire School, the Connecticut Fire Academy (earlier titled the Connecticut State Fire School) and as a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Proctor for the Connecticut Fire Academy.

A Charter Member and Past President of the Connecticut Fireman’s Historical Society, Beckwith also served as the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Associations’ representative to the Andy Flanagan Scholarship Committee, as a Senior Communications Specialist for the Connecticut Task Force 1 – Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) and as a Ham Radio Operator with the Manchester Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Ernest Bunnell

Ernest Bunnell served as a member of the Northfield Fire Department (in Litchfield) for 40 years.  During that period of time, he held the Officer Ranks of Engineer, Captain, Chief, Chief Engineer and Fire Commissioner.

The Northfield Fire Department experienced many notable accomplishments under Chief Bunnell – including the establishment of their Ladies Auxiliary, implementing minimum training requirements, the start of their First Responder/Emergency Medical Services Program, the purchase and placing into service of their first Rescue Truck and a Building Committee for their new Station.

Ernest Bunnell was also very active in a number of Fire Service Organizations.  He served the Connecticut State Firefighters Association in numerous capacities, including Association President, Litchfield County Vice President and as a member of the Merit Awards Committee.  With the Litchfield County Emergency Plan, he was a Past President, member of the Board of Directors and served on the School, Publicity and Nominating Committees.

A member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, he was also a founder and Board of Directors Secretary for the Litchfield County Dispatch.  Also active with the Connecticut Parade Marshal Association, he was a Judge, Assistant Chief Judge and Association President.

Robert Cady

Robert L. Cady, Sr. was active with the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Company, for over 50 years, beginning in 1960, and achieved Life Member status in 1985.

Cady held numerous offices and ranks with the Lebanon Department – Secretary, Recording Secretary, Vice President, President, Lieutenant, Captain, Second Assistant Chief, First Assistant Chief, Assistant Chief and two different periods as their Chief of Department.  He also served as one of their Fire Police Lieutenants.

One of the first Connecticut people to achieve certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, Chief Cady was a long-time member of the New London County Fire Chiefs Association and was a Member, Secretary and Vice President for the Willimantic Switchboard Chiefs Association.

As a holder of an Associate Degree, in Electrical Engineering, from the University of Hartford, Cady was particularly skillful in the design and operation of emergency service two-way radio communication technology.  Over many years, he utilized those skills while serving, in various capacities, for Electric Boat, the State of Connecticut, Motorola Communications and as the owner-operator of Cady Communications.

Peter Carozza

Peter S. Carozza, Jr., a veteran member of the Waterbury Fire Department, for over 33 years, served that Department as a Firefighter, Apparatus Driver and Fire Inspector.  He also served the Waterbury Local, of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), as their President for 15 years.

Additionally, beginning in 1995, Peter Carozza began a long-time role as the President of the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association of Connecticut – which is the state-wide consortium of the Connecticut Locals of the IAFF, comprising sixty local affiliates and over 4,000 career firefighters.  President Carozza was extensively experienced in Labor Relations and Lobbying for Firefighters at the local, state and national levels.

Carozza, a long-time Commissioner and Chairman with the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, also served as Chairman of the Federation of State and Provincial Firefighters, which is comprised of the leadership of each of the IAFF’s United States and Canadian State and Provincial Associations.

He is credited with establishing the first, highly successful joint labor-management committee with the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association, in the 1980’s.

A veteran of the United States Air Force, he has served as the Connecticut Chairman of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon and as Vice President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

Peter Carozza also serves with many civic organizations, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Waterbury Exchange Club, the American Legion and the Anderson Boys and Girls Club.

James Doherty

James E. (Sparky) Doherty proudly served with the Cheshire Fire Department for over 56 years, 27 of which were as the town’s Fire Marshal.  Over his years of service, he also held the ranks of Drillmaster, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief.

His nickname of “Sparky” comes from the many, many years that Jim attended numerous parades and civic events, all over the State of Connecticut, dressed up in the “Sparky the Fire Dog” costume.  The ensuing Fire Safety impact that he had on the children of the entire state is immeasurable!

A veteran of the United States Naval Reserve, he served in both World War II and the Korean War.

Very active in numerous Fire Marshal organizations, Fire Marshal Doherty was a member, and Past President, of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association.  He was a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the Fire Marshals Training Council, the Connecticut Codes and Standards Committee and the Chapter 541 Committee.

A member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, he was also a recipient of the Cheshire Fire Department’s William Grove Firefighter of the Year Award.

Charles Freimuth

Charles G. Freimuth, Jr. served with the Terryville Fire Department for 35 years.  During that time, he was their Fire Chief for 17 years and also served as the Deputy Fire Marshal for the Town of Plymouth.  He also served for 8 years, with the Pratt & Whitney Fire Department, holding the rank of Captain.

Chief Freimuth honorably served the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, as its President, in 1979.  He is also a Past President of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the Litchfield County Fire Chiefs Association and the Waterbury Area Chiefs Association.

He also served the State of Connecticut as a Commissioner on the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.

James Grote

An icon of Connecticut’s Fire Service, James L. Grote helped organize the Chester Hose Company in 1912 and served with them for 69 years.

Grote served Chester Hose, as their Fire Chief for 46 years and as the Chester Fire Marshal for 69 years.  He held the distinction of being the oldest (in age) Fire Marshal and having the longest office tenure, in that role, in the entire United States.  He is credited as being very instrumental, in 1942, with the establishment of the Connecticut Statutes that required Fire Sprinkler Systems in Schools and places of Public Occupancy.  He was a Charter Member of the New England Fire Chiefs Association.

He was also the Chester Civil Defense Director and the Town’s Postmaster.  He had the rare distinction of being recognized as an Honorary Member of the Connecticut State Police and was presented with the very first Connecticut Volunteer Fire Service Automobile License Plate, by then Governor William O’Neill.  In 1985, he was named as the National Volunteer Fire Council’s Firefighter of the Year.

A longtime member and supporter of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, he was also a Past President of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, the Middlesex County Fire Chiefs Association, the New England Fire Chiefs Association, the New England Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the New England Fire Marshals Association.

William Halstead

William Halstead, Sr. joined the Sandy Hook (Newtown) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, in 1965, at the age of 16.  He rapidly rose through the various roles and ranks, ultimately being elected as their Chief in 1978.  He is one of the longest serving Fire Chiefs, in the State of Connecticut, having held that rank for over 40 years.

He committed his entire life to the Fire Service and, for many years, also held the rank of Fire Chief with the Career Fire Department on the grounds of the Fairfield Hills State Hospital.  In 1983-1984, he was appointed as the Deputy Fire Marshal, for the Town of Newtown, and became their Fire Marshal in 2001.

Chief Halstead always acted to support and advance the Volunteer Fire Service, not only in his hometown but also statewide.  He served the Fairfield County Fire Chiefs Association as a Third Vice President, Second Vice President, First Vice President, President and Trustee.  He also served the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, as their Fairfield County Vice President and as the Connecticut Parade Marshals Association, as their Fairfield County Vice President.

A staunch supporter of Firefighter Safety, Training and Equipment Improvements, he also identified and implemented actions to provide rapid emergency medical responses to the citizens of his District.  Under his leadership, Newtown was one of the first communities, in the state, to have an approved EMT/EMR First Responder Program.

Over many years, Chief Halstead consistently showed extraordinary leadership abilities, in many emergency situations.  Not just the multiple fires, vehicle accidents and emergency medical responses, over many years…but also hurricanes, blizzards and the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

Adrian “Andy” Ouellette

Adrian “Andy” Ouellette was appointed to the Hartford Fire Department in 1960 and retired in 1988, having served 28 years.  During his years with the H.F.D., he held the ranks of Firefighter, Apparatus Driver, Deputy Chief’s Aide, Lieutenant, Training Officer and Captain.

He then worked for the Connecticut Fire Academy as their first Instructor Coordinator and oversaw the entire spectrum of Recruit Training that was delivered by the Academy.  He was later promoted to the position of their Director of Training and oversaw the opening of the Fire Academy’s new complex, in Windsor Locks, as well as coordinating the June Fire School’s course presentations, retiring in 1997.

From 2001 through 2007, he served the state’s Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, as a Commissioner, having been appointed by then Governor John Rowland.

Andy is also credited for coordinating the first New England International Association of Fire Service Instructors Conference, which was the precursor to the national FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference).

A long time and active member of the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association, he served them as their Secretary, Vice President, President and Executive Board Member.  He was also honored, by that Association, by being presented their 1987 Instructor of the Year Award, their 2006 Harry Kelly Man of the Year Award and their 2007 President’s Award.

Peter Phelan

Peter Phelan proudly served the Milford Fire Department for 48 years, beginning in 1948, and retiring as their Chief of the Department – many of those years also holding the role of the City of Milford’s Fire Marshal.  Prior to his joining the Career Department, as a 17 year old, he became a member of one of Milford’s Volunteer Fire Companies.

He also served the City as their Deputy Director of Civil Defense and is recognized as preparing the first plans and programs that put the city in eligibility for a number of Federal Programs and Grants.

A veteran of the United States Army, Chief Phelan spent two years serving in Korea.  He also was a member and past Executive Board Member of the Milford Professional Firefighters Association, Local 944 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Always active in the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, he served as their President, in 1980, and as a member, for many years, on their Legislative Committee.

Chief Phelan unselfishly served to assist and mentor many Connecticut Firefighters that later ascended to leadership roles in their respective Departments or State and National Professional Associations.

He was a very active member of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association, a member and Past President of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association – also serving for over 15 years as the Chairman of their annual Education Seminar, a member and Board Member of the New England Fire Marshals Association, a Charter Member of the Fairfield County Arson Task Force, a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the New England Division of the IAFC and the New England Fire Chiefs Association.

Raymond Shea

Raymond Shea served with the West Hartford Fire Department for 26 years – being appointed as a Firefighter in 1958 and retiring, in 1984, as a Lieutenant.  A Military Veteran, he served in the Korean Conflict prior to joining the Fire Department.

Shea was very active in the International Association of Fire Fighters, at the Local, State and National levels.  He served the West Hartford Firefighters Local 1241 as their Secretary, from 1963-1966, and, as their President from 1966-1984.  At the State level, he served the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut as their Vice President (1968-1975), President (1975-2004), Legislative Agent (1971-2002) and ultimately being honored with the title of President Emeritus.  At the National Level, he was a Staff Representative for the International Association of Fire Fighters, from 1973-1984.

Additionally, he served as a Commissioner on the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control from 1973-1992.  From 1997 through 2011, he was a member of the Advisory Panel Committee for Selection of Neutral Arbitrators.  He was an appointee to the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration for many years and was a Delegate and Executive Board Member of the Connecticut State AFL-CIO.

The State Chair for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Fund Drives from 1980-1993; he was awarded the International Association of Fire Fighters Leadership Award in 2007.  In 1995, he received the Public Fire Education Award, for his active participation in the education, of the public, in dealing with the understanding, rudiments and effects of Fire Safety in both the home and work place.

Charles Stankye, Jr.

At the time of his Hall of Fame Induction, Charles Stankye, Jr. had been a member of the Derby Fire Department’s Paugassett Hook & Ladder Company 4 for 56 years.  Over his five decades of dedication he held many responsibilities and ranks – including Firefighter, Lieutenant, Company Captain, Company Secretary, Assistant City Fire Chief and Chief of Department.  He also served as one of the City’s Deputy Fire Marshals, for over 30 years.

He served the Connecticut State Firefighters Association as their New Haven County Vice President, Association President, Treasurer and as a member of their Education and Firefighter Memorial Committees.  He also was a long time member of the New Haven County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan.

A member of the Valley Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan, for over 50 years, he held their offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  He also served on their Valley Regional Fire School’s Board of Directors for over thirty years.

Chief Stankye was a Commissioner on the state’s Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, a member of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Volunteer Fire Council.

Additionally, he assisted the Boy Scouts of America as a member of their Executive Board and was a recipient of both their President’s Award and Award of Merit.

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.