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 2020

Sanford W. Anderson

Chief Sanford “Sandy” Anderson joined the Norwalk Fire Department, as a Firefighter, in 1959, and served that Department for some 45 years. Over his years of service, he was promoted through the ranks of Captain, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief and ultimately served them as their Chief of Department.

During his time with the Department, he was instrumental in a number of initiatives, including, but not limited to obtaining and training on the “Jaws of Life” Tool and the formulation of an Affirmative Action Program, to assure that their Department would have a diverse workforce going into the future. The Chief also was one of Norwalk’s first Emergency Medical Technicians and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Instructors.

A 1955 Graduate of the United States Navy’s Firefighting School, he also proudly served as an Adjunct Instructor for the Connecticut Fire Academy, being involved in the development of their Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Maze Program, as the Lead Instructor of their Vehicle Extrication Training and as an Instructor for the Fire Academy’s Recruit Firefighter Program.

Additional, “Sandy” is gratefully remembered for his hard work in supporting and hosting the 1982 Conference of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors’, which was held here in Connecticut, and for being a highly respected, strong supporter and motivator for all of Connecticut’s Fire Service.

William Davin

Chief William Davin has been a fixture with the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department ever since he joined as a Junior Firefighter in 1973, at the age of 13. His affiliation was inevitable, being the son of the Fire Chief and his mother, who was a member of their Women’s Auxiliary, as well as a brother of two Firefighters. The legacy continues as his wife, Judy, and his daughter, Emily, also serve with the Monroe Women’s Auxiliary. His stepson, Dustin Holt, became a Monroe Fire Lieutenant as well as a career Firefighter in Greenwich. As a Hall of Fame Inductee, he has the distinct and unique honor of following in his father’s footsteps, Chief Charles H. Davin, who was inducted as a member of the Class of 2013.

As a member of the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department, he rose through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief, before achieving the role of Chief in 1992, at the age of 32, and served in that role for 17 years. During that time, his Department experienced a significant amount of modernization, upgrades in apparatus and equipment and a large increase in emergency call volume. He was also a founding member of Monroe Volunteer EMS, in 1977.

After serving as the Town of Monroe’s Deputy Fire Marshal for many years, in 2004 he was promoted to the role of Fire Marshal, where he still serves.

William Davin is a State Certified Fire Officer II and Fire Marshal. He is an active member, and former President of the Fairfield County Fire Chiefs Association. He is also a member and officer of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association.

In 1991, he was awarded the Monroe Firefighter of the Year Award and, in 2019, the Lloyd Stevens Member of the Year Award. Over his many years of service, William Davin is also recognized for many decades of teaching fire prevention in the town’s schools, reaching thousands of children with important fire prevention and safety tips.

John B. Field, Jr.

John Field started his Fire Service presence as a Volunteer Firefighter with Town of Harwinton’s Westside Fire Department. He later served the City of Torrington’s Fire Department, beginning in 1986. During his twenty-six-year career with Torrington, he progressed through the ranks of Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain-Shift Commander and ultimately as the Chief of Department. He also served the City as the head of the Emergency Management Operations Committee. He also served as a member and Deputy Chief of the Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance and as a member of the Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department. During his service with the Torrington Fire Department, he was awarded numerous service commendations.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, Chief Field became very involved with the development of Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). He served as the Chairman of the DEMHS Region 5 Regional Emergency Planning Team, the Region 5 Regional Hazardous Materials Response System and the Region 5 Incident Management Team, which evolved into today’s CT West Incident Management Team. He also served as the County Coordinator for the State-Wide Fire-Rescue Plan and as a member of the Connecticut Incident Management Team. He also served on the State’s Emergency Response Commission for four years.

Following his retirement from the City of Torrington, John Field accepted a position with the State’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, where he served as a Regional Emergency Management Area Coordinator and as Chairman of the CT Incident Management Team Committee.

He began his relationship with the Litchfield County Regional Fire Training School in 1989 and currently serves as their Assistant Director. Additionally, he has served the Connecticut Fire Academy, as an Adjunct Instructor, since 1999.

Throughout his professional career Chief Field has been a member of numerous fire service organizations including the Litchfield County Instructors Association, the Litchfield County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan (including two years as President), the Connecticut Career Chiefs, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Fire Protection Association and the International Safety Officer Association.

He holds an Associates Degree, in Fire Science, from Pikes Peak Community College. Chief Field is also State Certified as a Fire Marshal, Incident Safety Officer, Hazardous Materials Technician, Rescue Technician, Pump Operator, Aerial Operator, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer IV, Emergency Medical Technician and is nationally certified as a Master Exercise Practitioner. Chief Field has attended, and taught at, many regional, state and national training programs, including many National Incident Management System and Fire Officer Programs.

Joseph N. Iacuone, Sr.

Chief Joseph Iacuone served the Derby Fire Department and its Paugassett Hook & Ladder Co. 4, with distinction, for over 50 years. Not only did he serve the “Paugies” in the Officer Ranks of both Lieutenant and Captain, he went further up the ladder and spent 6 years as an Assistant Chief of the Derby Fire Department and then served as their Chief of Department. Additionally, in 1973, he was appointed to the position of Fire Marshal for Derby. A role he played, until his passing, in 1996.

During his many years of service with the Derby Fire Department, Chief Iacuone also performed the service of being the Chairman of their new Fire Station Building Committee, which was built in 1976, as well as being a member of two Truck Committees that specified and purchased two new aerial trucks for the Department. Along with fellow Hall of Fame Inductee Charles M. Stankye, Jr., he also organized the Civil Defense Auxiliary for Junior Members of the Paugassett Co. 4. Joe is also remembered as one of the founders of their firehouse social organization, known as the “Paugy Owls” and he also chaired he company’s Annual Outing for many years.

Joseph Iacuone also was a devoted member of the Valley Fire Chiefs Association, for whom he served as their President, as Secretary for 20 years and on the Board of Directors of their Valley Fire Chiefs Training School. He also is recognized as being both a Past President and a Past County Vice President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association as well as having been a long-time member and a Past President of the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association. He also was a member of the New Haven County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan and the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association.

The Chief was also the longtime Chairman of the Derby Democratic Town Committee, a member of the Board of Apportionment and Taxation, served on several Charter Revision Committees and on the State’s Water Compact Commission.

Joseph N. Iacuone, Sr. will also always be remembered for being the Head Usher of Derby’s St, Jude’s Church, for over 30 years.

Charles C. Judd, Jr.

Chief Charles “Buddy” Judd was with the Watertown Fire Department for 43 years, beginning at the age of 20, in 1949. During his years of service with Watertown, he held many ranks, including Volunteer Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief for 27 years, Deputy Fire Marshal for 27 years, Fire Marshal for 4 years and Chief of the Department for 4 years. During his years of service, he completed numerous professional development courses, including Advanced First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Medical Response Technician. He also attained numerous Fire Marshal Certifications at both the state and federal levels. Chief Judd also gained extensive educational exposures, in both tactical firefighting and fire investigation, by his attendance at many offerings of the former New Haven Fire College. He was always regarded as an aggressive firefighter.

As Chief Judd was advancing through his career, one of his superior Chiefs was fellow Hall of Fame Inductee, Avery Lamphier. Chief Lamphier was often quoted as saying, “Anytime I need someone to pull up their boots, fold up their collar and get the job done, Buddy was one of my ‘go to’ guys!” Later, Chief Judd’s subordinates were proud to say that he was always firm, but fair, never picking favorites or letting anyone get special treatment.

During his many years of service with the Watertown Fire Department, Chief Judd was the recipient of multiple honors and recognitions for his many acts of bravery and administration.

Very active in memberships with many regional and state professional organizations, he actively participated with the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, the Litchfield County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan, the Waterbury Area Fire Chiefs Association, the Litchfield County Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association and the New England Association of Fire Marshals.

William F. Kelly

William Kelly proudly served the West Shore Fire District, within the City of West Haven, for 39 years, ultimately retiring as their Chief of Department. Also, in the circle of those within the Fire Marshal specialties, Chief Kelly is very well known and, in the time following his retirement from West Shore, he has continued his fire service involvement as a private, Lead Field Fire Investigator with the firm of ABLAZE LLC.

Chief Kelly has held memberships and was an active participant in innumerable professional associations, including the National Fire Protection Association’s Education and Fire Marshal Sections, the National Information Officers Association, the International Association of Fire Service Instructors, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Fire Marshal’s Association of North America, the New England Fire Marshals Association, the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, Charter Member and Director of the Connecticut Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Fire and Injury Prevention Association, the Connecticut Association of Auto Theft and Arson Investigators, the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association and West Haven Local 1198, of the International Association of Fire Fighters, for whom he also served as West Haven’s Representative to the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.

His personal training was compiled from his attendance at multiple educational facilities including American International College, the Connecticut Fire Academy, the National Fire Academy, the University of New Haven, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the University of Delaware, the National Fire Protection Association, the University of Maryland, the Polaroid School of Law Enforcement Imaging and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

For many years, he also, unselfishly served with the Connecticut Chapter IAAI’s Annual Training Seminar Program Committee, the Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Law Enforcement Training Program, the Connecticut Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshals Training Program and the University of Maryland’s In-Service School for Fire Investigators.

Through his years of service, he was honored with multiple Commendation Letters from many sources, including, but not limited to the West Shore Board of Fire Commissioners, the Milford Fire Department, West Haven’s Allingtown Fire District and the Fairfield County Arson Task Force.

Also, a strong believer in community service, Chief Kelly was a member of the West Shore Volunteer Fire Department, a former member of the West Haven Democratic Town Committee and coached for both the West Haven Youth Hockey and Shore Haven Junior Baseball Teams. Throughout his career Bill presented multiple public speaking presentations to familiarize the community with regards to fire prevention in their home and workplace.

Mark D. Lewandowski

At the time of his Hall of Fame Induction, Mark Lewandowski had devoted 41 years to the Connecticut Fire Service, in multiple roles, with the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department (Berlin), the Connecticut Fire Academy and the Connecticut Airport Authority. Additionally, he has also served the Connecticut Urban Search and Rescue, Task Force 1, as a Task Force Leader and also worked, in the private sector, as a Plant Protection Officer for Pratt & Whitney Aerospace.

Joining the Kensington Fire-Rescue, as a Volunteer Firefighter, in 1980, where he ultimately moved up the ranks as a Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and finally, as the Chief of Department for 24 years. During his service with Kensington, Chief Lewandowski achieved innumerable accomplishments, including, but not limited to forming their Cold Water Rescue Team and their Special Operations Unit (HazMat, Confined Space and Trench Rescue), serving on several Apparatus Purchasing Committees, worked on the development of the departments September 11th Memorial and has been successful in obtaining $750,000 of Fire Act funding for the Town of Berlin Fire Departments.

While serving with the Connecticut Fire Academy, in Windsor Locks, he served as their Chief Instructor of Rescue Training for 8 years, Training Coordinator for 2 years and as Deputy Director of Training for 15 years. Among his accomplishments, while working there, were the implementation of the Candidate Physical Ability Test Program development of their Trench Rescue Program and the Confined Space Rescue Training Program. He also served as Coordinator of the Fire Academy’s Recruit Training Program.

As a Captain with the Connecticut Airport Authority, he oversees many fire service programs at their five General Aviation airports. He provides multiple educational instructions and training, commands response personnel on the scenes of emergencies and rewrote their Airport Emergency Plan. He responds, statewide, to General Aviation accidents and has coordinated stand-by operations for multiple VIP and Presidential Visits.

Having been educated at Central Connecticut State University, the University of New Haven, Waterbury State Technical College and the National Fire Academy, he obtained certifications as an Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials First Responder – Operational, Airport Firefighter, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Officer I and II, Fire Service Instructor, Safety Officer, Fuel Safety Supervisor and as a State of Connecticut Fire Marshal.

Lewandowski has held membership in the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association and served on the Berlin Town Fire Board.

He has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including a Connecticut Department of Public Safety Citation for Meritorious Service, a “Yes I Can” Award for work with a young person with physical and mental challenges, receiving the Town of Berlin Citizen of the Year Award, in 2010, and the Connecticut Fire Department Instructor of the Year Award, in 1998.

Peter F. Mullen

Chief Peter Mullen, of the Branford Fire Department, began his 51 years of service, as a Volunteer Firefighter, in 1950. He became one of the Town’s first Career Firefighters, in 1969, served as their Deputy Chief/Training Officer, for many years, and finally became the town’s Fire Chief/Fire Marshal in 1984.

As the Training Chief, he brought Firefighter Certifications to many Firefighters, not only from Branford, but also from many neighboring communities. Under his direction, a Training Facility was created for both Classroom and Practical Skills evolutions. As the Fire Marshal, he championed public fire education and the Branford Fire Department’s Mobile Fire Prevention Trailer, which was appropriately dedicated in his name. He was a frequent attendee of the national Fire Department Instructors Association Conferences

Additionally, Chief Mullen’s training gifts extended well beyond the town’s borders. Pete held the role of being a Senior Instructor for the Connecticut Fire Academy and often participated in training presentations held during the monthly meetings of the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association (CFDIA). He also served the CFDIA, as an officer for many years, including being their President. He was an active member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and was appointed, by then Governor Lowell Weicker, as a Commissioner on the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.

It has been said that Chief Mullen had the personality and demeanor, that were unmatched in effectively dealing with people. He truly lived the motto of leaving the fire service in better shape then he found it. He provided incredible amounts of guidance to and served as a mentor for any aspiring Firefighter, Instructor or Officer that sought his advice or counsel.

Edward N. Richards

At the time of his induction, Edward Richards has served the Enfield Fire District No.1, with distinction, for over 45 years. In addition to being their Chief of Department since 1992, he also previously served Enfield Fire in the capacities of Deputy Chief, Deputy Fire Marshal, Captain and Engineer.

Also, a well-respected educator, Chief Richards has served in the role of Adjunct Professor at both St. Mary’s College and Springfield Tech Community College.

Very active within the various fire service regional, state and national levels, Ed currently serves on the North Central CMED Board of Directors, the State of Connecticut Emergency Response Commission and as an Advisor to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. He is also a State Coordinator for the Connecticut Fire/Rescue Disaster Response Plan.

Chief Richards is a Past President of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, a Past President and Board Member of the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs, a Past President and Board Member of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs and a long-time member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

At the national level, he has also served as a member of the Homeland Security and Terrorism Committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and on the Validation Committee for the Second and Third Editions of the IFSTA Chief Officer Training Manuals.

James P. Trzaski

James Trzaski began his fire service career as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Beacon Hose Company, of Beacon Falls, in 1985, and, over the course of his membership, has held the Officer ranks of Assistant Secretary, Secretary, Assistant EMS Director, Fire Captain and Fire Chief. In March of 1991, he was appointed as a Career Firefighter in the Town of Naugatuck, where he served until 2014, and held the roles of Assistant Department Mechanic, Lieutenant, Captain/Shift Supervisor, served on three Apparatus Replacement Committees and, also served as the Secretary of the Naugatuck’s IAFF Local 1219. At the time of his Hall of Fame Induction, Jim was employed by the South Fire District, of Middletown, holding the rank of Assistant Chief.

He holds certifications and vast expertise as a Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Firefighter III, Pump Operator, Aerial Operator, Fire Service Instructor III, Fire Officer I, Hazardous Materials Technician, Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Cold Water/Ice Rescue and Vehicle Extrication. He also holds certification from the National Fire Academy’s Leadership I, II and III Programs, Incident Safety Officer and “Shaping the Future”. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s NIMS 700, 100, 200, 300 and Exercise Practitioner Programs. He has also participated in countless Training Seminars and Connecticut Fire Officer Weekends at the National Fire Academy.

Also, very involved in the training of many of Connecticut’s Firefighters, Chief Trzaski, he has been an Instructor at the Wolcott Regional Fire Training School, the Valley Regional Fire School and the Connecticut Fire Academy. At Wolcott, he has served in the capacities of being their Assistant School Director and as their School Director. At the Connecticut Fire Academy, he has served as the Recruit Program Lead Instructor.

Jim holds active memberships with the New Haven County Fire Emergency Plan, the Valley Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut State Firefighters Association and the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association.

Quoting Naugatuck Fire Chief Ellen Murray, “Jim is the Firefighter’s Firefighter and has incredible leadership ability…” Over his many years of active Fire Service involvement, Chief Trzaski has been the recipient of the Naugatuck Fire Department’s 2003 Firefighter of the Year Award, several Naugatuck Fire Department Unit Citations, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Waterbury Hospital and the Connecticut State Firefighters Association’s Firefighter of the Year Award, in 2018.

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.