By Natasha Lee
Staff Writer
March 7, 2007
STAMFORD - For firefighter Shawn Sasser, brotherhood extends beyond his fellow firefighters.
Last night, Sasser became the fourth member of his family to become a firefighter.
Amid applause from family and well-wishers, Sasser and 15 other recent graduates were sworn in as firefighters with the Stamford Fire & Rescue Department in an awards ceremony at Cloonan Middle School.
Graduates completed a 12-week stint last year at the state fire academy in Windsor Locks.
"I'm ecstatic," Sasser, 30, said.
Sasser's three brothers are firefighters with the Turn of River and New Canaan fire departments.
Sasser's mother, Chela Sasser, said she was proud of her son and amazed that all four of her children were in the same line of duty.
"It's unreal. If you would have told me this years ago, I wouldn't have believed it," she said.
Younger brother Patrick Sasser, 28, led the way, joining the Turn of River Fire Department in 2002, and soon the others followed.
Patrick Sasser said he was excited his brother was finally a part of the brotherhood.
"It doesn't matter what patch you're wearing, we all do the same job," Patrick Sasser said.
Before swearing them in, Mayor Dannel Malloy praised the firefighters for their commitment to public safety.
"Your brotherhood is shared by a broader population who is so thankful to your contribution and willingness to sacrifice," he said.
More than 100 family and friends attended the event.
Capt. Joseph Vitti and Lt. Robert Barker received Firefighter of the Year honors for their efforts in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The two traveled with a team of firefighters from Long Island, N.Y., to help the Federal Emergency Management Agency evacuate residents.
"It's something I'll never forget, the miles and miles of houses that were destroyed," Barker said. "We just both volunteered to go down there and help. It's a great honor."
Firefighter Scott Gill received the Emergency Medical Services award for helping stabilize a man after he fell 40 feet from a ladder and broke his back in September.
Tony Macari was cutting a tree in his sister's yard on Sherwood Road, when a branch knocked him off the ladder, he said.
Gill, who was off-duty, saw the fall and went to Macari's aid, instructing family members not to move him.
"Thank God he came by," Macari said. "If it wasn't for Scott Gill, I wouldn't be walking."
Eight firefighters were honored for a rescue attempt in October, in which they pulled Lisa Labozza-Price from her car after it overturned on Interstate 95. Labozza-Price was pinned inside and suffered a broken neck.
The firefighters were: Lt. Chester Buttery, Lt. Sean Daly, and firefighters Charles Cackowski, Sean Gage, Shawn Sasser, Stuart Rieve, Michael Kerr and Nicola Tamburro.
Three firefighters were recognized for their promotions: Capt. Eric Lorenz, Lt. Patrick Reilly and Lt. Victor Rella.
Commissioner E. Gaynor Brennan was recognized for 21 years of service on the board.
Capt. Trevor Roach and firefighter Kurt Semmel were honored with Chief's Citations for their work and dedication.
Twenty-seven war veterans also received special recognition by the state's Department of Veterans Affairs, when they were presented the Connecticut Wartime Service Medal.
The medal was authorized by the state last year, said Commissioner Linda Schwartz, who presented the veterans of the Vietnam, Korean and Persian Gulf wars.
"I'm very proud of the vets," said Assistant Chief John McCabe, who received a medal for his service in Vietnam. "For years, they've gone unnoticed and it's nice of the state to finally honor them."
Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.