By Joel Weickgenant
Special Correspondent
October 8, 2005
NORWALK -- A few months ago, Troy Donohue was working as a customer service manager for the postal service. Yesterday, the Norwalk native was one of four new firefighters sworn in at the Central Fire Station on Connecticut Avenue.
"I'm totally overwhelmed. This is a career I've wanted for a long time," Donohue said, leaning his chin on his hand as he struggled to describe his feelings.
"I am so lost for words, it's not even funny," he said.
Norwalk Fire Chief Denis McCarthy welcomed the new firefighters.
"I was in this position a short five months ago, so I know how nervous they are out there in the hallway," McCarthy said.
In May, he was sworn in as Norwalk's fire chief. "Being sworn in "is a very important part of what we hope is a very long and prosperous 30-year career," he said.
Mayor Alex Knopp said it is a great time to join the department.
"We are really on the verge of a tremendous number of improvements to the department," he said.
He cited planned improvements to fire facilities, communications and technology
After the mayor's comments, the new firefighters filed in. McCarthy presented the badges, which were pinned on by the firefighters' wives.
"I'm very proud of him. He's been waiting for this a long time," said Stephanie Burrows. Her husband, David Burrows of New Milford, previously was an emergency dispatcher for the New Milford police.
James Mills, a Norwalk native who lives in Stratford, used to work in construction. He said that even though he's already been on duty, he is still a bit nervous.
"I haven't gotten that first fire yet, so I'm looking forward to getting that out of my system," he said.
Dale Roos, a Norwalk native, formerly worked as an electrician.
"Ever since I was 10 or 12, I knew I wanted to be a firefighter," said Roos, 25. Roos' wife had a baby girl while he was in training.
"That was tough, you know, mentally, missing what was going on with the baby," Roos said.
"But it was the right thing to do for the family, so I just had to plug through it."
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