At FDNL,

At FDNL, It's A Family Affair
Curcio, Sawyer join their dads as New London firefighters

By Julie Wernau
Published on 3/11/2008
TheDay.com

New London — A lot of kids dress up as firefighters for Halloween. But Justin Curcio was probably the only kid whose costume could have made it through a burning building — if his “air tank” hadn't been a spray-painted coca-cola bottle.

But that's what happens when you have a firefighter for a dad.

“When he was about 5 or 6 years old, we have pictures of him up in the tiller bucket,” New London Battalion Chief Thomas Curcio said of his son.

On Monday, the younger Curcio and Daniel Sawyer, the son of Fire Lt. Bruce Sawyer, followed in their fathers' footsteps as they were officially sworn in as New London Fire Department fire officers in a packed ceremony at City Hall.

Justin, a volunteer at the Jordan Fire Department in Waterford, is attending night classes toward his bachelor's degree in fire investigation and criminology at the University of New Haven. Daniel Sawyer comes to New London Fire Department from the Naval Submarine Base Fire Department.

“He just loved trips to the firehouse,” Bruce Sawyer said.

Daniel Sawyer said he's had an interest in firefighting for as long as he can remember. He first got his start as a volunteer firefighter in North Stonington, where he lives.

“I was never forced into being a firefighter,” he said.

Daniel's father said he definitely thinks there is something to the idea that there is a “firefighter's gene.”

Justin Curcio — who also trained under Lawrence & Memorial Hospital's paramedics — said he's known many of New London's firefighters all his life and is excited to join a busy city company.

“Growing up around them and being able to work with them now is very exciting,” he said.

Fathers and sons will be working different shifts, according to Thomas Curcio.

“He needs his space,” Curcio said of his son.

New London Fire Chief Ronald Samul Sr., Mayor Kevin J. Cavanagh, City Manager Martin Berliner and Councilman Michael Buscetto III all congratulated the new firefighters at the ceremony.

“I respect the fact that you guys looked up to them and chose to follow in their footsteps,” Buscetto said.

New London

R E A D E R'S C O M M E N T S

Posted - 3/12/2008 2:50:40 AM
Yea b/c there are no blacks or hispanic that work for the city at all... maybe if you didnt have the reverse racism attitude someone will hire you.
Black NL Employee
New London
- 3/12/2008 8:03:51 AM

Posted - 3/12/2008 2:48:25 AM
Dark brother asks where are the minorites? They couldnt find any with out a record... BTW these two are VERY qualified for thier positions not that it needs to be defended on a newpaper's comment board.
Johnny
Waterford, CT
- 3/12/2008 8:05:57 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 11:21:02 PM
Congratulations to these two extraordinary firefighters!! Anyone who has researched the process to becoming a NL Firefighter would know what an amazing accomplishment it is to be selected!! It is truly a challenging and lengthy process to come out on top. Having family members in the department must have given these men the inspiration to work harder than many others could imagine to fulfill their goals!!
Former Waterford Resident
The Woodlands, Texas
- 3/11/2008 11:40:15 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 9:04:03 PM
Dear Mr Dark Brother,Take the test, see what you are made of.
White Brother
NL
- 3/11/2008 11:40:04 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 8:58:23 PM
Another good story of hard working people reaching their goal. Good work Tom,Justin,Bruce and Dan. Congratulations see you on the bridge.
Rick M
Groton City
- 3/11/2008 11:36:19 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 8:43:56 PM
John -QUALIFIEDqual-i-fied1) fitted (as by training or experience) for a given purpose2) having comlied with the specific requirements or precedent conditionsThey are qualified.
lilly
pawcatuck, ct
- 3/11/2008 11:36:08 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 7:34:24 PM
Congrats Justin! I know you've worked hard for this, and you deserve it. You too Dan! :)
Jessica -Alyssa's Roomie
New Hampshire
- 3/11/2008 8:39:36 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 6:14:44 PM
hey where are the black or hispanic firemen...what gives...white supervisors hire white employees who are releated..give me a break new london.....guess it will never end...
dark brother
new london ct
- 3/11/2008 8:43:03 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 3:57:56 PM
I too offer my congratulations to these firefighters. Just a note related to the post from Norma from KS. Some firefighters choose this as thier occupation, thus receive pay for thier service while others do not. The apparent mentality of some people beliving Paid = Professional does nothing more than irritate and insult those whom give just as much to the fire service without being paid. ALL firefighters, wether they are career or volunteer, are professionals.Good luck guys. Be safe!
20 Years as an Un-paid Professional
Taftville CT.
- 3/11/2008 11:53:02 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 3:09:57 PM
I would like to congratulate Jusin and Dan on becoming the newest memebers of the New London Fire Department. I am very proud to say that I know both of these firefighters and instead of turning this happy occasion into something negative they should be commended by everyone for having accomplished so much at the ages of 20 & 21. Maybe if the other readers had done their homework they would have learned what their backgrounds were in the emergency reponse field and also the minimum qualifications that they were required to have in order to be able to apply for this job (Certified Firefighter II through the State of CT, Emergency Medical Technician, CPAT Certified which is administered through the CT Fire Academy www.ct.gove/cfpc in addition to an intense technical/oral interview administered by a panel consisting of 3 non-bias fire officers from other departments). I know today most people can only look at the negative things that teenagers and young adults are doing but his just proves that with hard work, dedication and having fathers that are positive, strong roles models they can achieve thier goals
william

- 3/11/2008 11:57:53 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 1:14:51 PM
Congrats to both Daniel & Justin. I'm all about a fair hiring process-hiring well qualified candidates, regardless of who they know, their minority status, or some other irrelevant factor. To the naysayers, you couldn't be more wrong about these two. They are well rounded, enthusiast, and have very positive attitudes and character. It would be unfair NOT to hire them just because they have family in the same department. (Thanks to NL Personnel for scrutinizing for true nepotism). NL and their dads should be proud that they were selected because they were strong candidates, NOT because their dads are among NLFD's finest officers. Please don't begrudge them because you're disappointed or frustrated. Instead, please accept Jeff's sincere challenge. Despite any hard feelings, step up and apply (?again). It could be the most rewarding choice you ever make.
Former NL Resident
NL County
- 3/11/2008 1:34:24 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 12:53:02 PM
Congratulations. A legacy of first responders helps keep our community safer, more stable, and adds to continuity of premium public service. Hats off to the new firefighters....
Keith Lee
CT
- 3/11/2008 1:04:13 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 12:05:48 PM
The comments posted earlier are my views and opinions only and do not represent the feelings of the New London Fire Department as an organization. Keep up the good work NLFD members.
Jeffrey Rheaume NLFD
East Lyme
- 3/11/2008 12:33:28 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 11:34:43 AM
Congratulations to both these fine young lads. They come from great stock and I am sure will make excellent firefighters. Stick to your Lt.'s like glue and learn from them as they are all very good at what they do.
Charlie Robbins
Lehigh Acres, FL
- 3/11/2008 12:58:41 PM

Posted - 3/11/2008 11:20:04 AM
Congratulations to both men for making this career choice. There is a lot of training and schooling that goes into being a professional firefighter along with the courage & fortitude it takes to actually perform the job. Both of these men obviously had good role models in parents that chose to help save lives and properties that aren't their own. It's a self-less occupation and we should all be grateful to them instead of nitpicking about how they got their jobs. I bet you won't care, John, how the firefighter got his job when your family is at risk or your property might be burning to the ground. God bless and take care of these men, and all emergency response personnel. Wouldn't we be in sad shape if these individuals didn't do what they do for us.
Norma Sabljak
Salina Ks
- 3/11/2008 11:29:36 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 11:05:02 AM
First, a job well done by both new firefighters for earning this great job, "on your own". Those of us in the fire service know that you are not only qualified but very excited and prepared to serve New London well. For those who have written negative comments, please feel free to take part in the open competitive exam coming up in June. You have until March 20th to apply with the city. Go to The City of New London's website or to www.newlondonfirefightersunion.org for more information. However, we are hoping to get positive, honest, and hardworking individuals. So if you just want to sit in front of your computer and throw stones, please do not apply. If you want to make a difference in New London, and take part in a very rewarding profession, we hope to see you soon. Thanks for the kind words, Ed from East Lyme, CT and others.
Jeffrey Rheaume NLFD
East Lyme
- 3/11/2008 11:13:26 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 10:35:14 AM
Daniel,I was a firefighter in Stonington, and grew up the same way "Following My Dad" to the fire house. I new at that point what I was going to do for a living. I have known your family for years and still keep in touch with your uncle Steve. I want to wish you a safe and very gratifying career. Always remember " Risk a little to save a little" and "Risk a lot to save a lot"All the best,Dave Pacheco,JrTruck Co. 53 Safety Harbor, FL.Local 2267

- 3/11/2008 10:45:52 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 10:15:26 AM
nepotismOne entry found.nepotismMain Entry: nep·o·tism Listen to the pronunciation of nepotismPronunciation: \'ne-p?-?ti-z?m\ Function: noun Etymology: French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from nepote nephew, from Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew - more at nephewDate: 1670: favoritism (as in appointment to a job) based on kinship- nep·o·tis·tic Listen to the pronunciation of nepotistic \?ne-p?-'tis-tik\ adjective
John
New London, CT
- 3/11/2008 10:51:45 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 9:52:16 AM
Paul Paul Paul, like mom use to say if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut. Do you think they have no training and are just given a job cause their Dad works there. You could never be so wrong. The firefighters of New London are dedicated and the city should be so proud of them.
Ed
East Lyme, Ct.
- 3/11/2008 9:57:02 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 9:30:13 AM
Paul, did you ever think they could have actually been qualified for these jobs, grow up. Either you flunked the testing process, didn't have the certifications, or your just a jerk like most of the people that make comments like that.
Joe

- 3/11/2008 9:57:52 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 8:51:36 AM
MMmm, wonder how they got these jobs??? Joke
Paul
Waterford
- 3/11/2008 9:06:10 AM

Posted - 3/11/2008 8:31:01 AM
Congrats Jason
C Edmonson
Waterford Ct
- 3/11/2008 10:09:30 AM