Halesite Fire Department Junior Crabbers Hold Installation Ceremony

The Halesite Fire Department Junior Firefighter Program held its second annual installation on January 9, 2017 at the Halesite Firehouse.  Approximately 40 Juniors turned out along with their families.  Chief of Department, Greg Colonna, swore the Juniors in for the upcoming year and also swore in their newly elected Officers.  During the evening, Juniors were recognized for their dedication to training and parents learned about the dozens of different activities the Juniors participated in during 2016.

The evening’s highlight was a talk by Mike Dugan, retired FDNY Captain of Ladder 123 (Crown Heights Brooklyn) and winner of the James Gordon Bennett Medal (1992) and the Harry M. Archer Medal (1993), the FDNY’s highest award for bravery.  Mike, a former member of the Halesite Fire Department and an instructor for the Junior Firefighter program from 1982 – 1985, told many stories about his time as an active firefighter.  He also spoke about the importance of service to the community and finding a career that you can immerse yourself in and be passionate about.

All photos courtesy of the Halesite Fire Department:

Photograph Above:  Retired FDNY Captain Mike Dugan of Ladder 123 poses with Halesite’s latest class of Junior Firefighters.

Photograph 2: Chief of the Halesite Fire Department Greg Colonna is surrounded by Junior Crabbers as he swears them in.