John McKenna - Suffolk County Firefighters Emerald Society

The Hauppauge Fire Department
Salutes Their Member
Ex-Captain Jack McLoughlin
On Being Named The Recipient
Of The
Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighter’s
Emerald Society
2013 Harold Lally
Lifetime Achievement Award
Congratulations Jack
and Congratulations to Past President
Michael Mooney for his years of service to
The SCVFF Emerald Society
The Officers and Members of the
Hauppauge Fire Department
Congratulations on being honored
JOHN McKENNA
Volunteer Event Organizer, Shavee and Board Member Emeritus,
St. Baldrick’s Foundation
Thank you for your
generous commitment
of time, support, and
inspiration to help raise
money for lifesaving
childhood cancer research.
Your efforts inspired
many to join the cause.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation beloved
mascot Lucky salutes John McKenna
The Chiefs, Officers and Members of the
Central Islip Fire Department wishes to
congratulate the Suffolk County Volunteer
Firefighters Emerald Society on their 25th
anniversary.
The Central Islip Fire Department also
wishes to congratulate First Assistant
Chief Kevin McAteer on serving as
President of the Suffolk County Volunteer
Firefighter’s Emerald Society.
President’s Message
I
t is my honor to welcome you to the 25th Anniversary Dinner of the
Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Emerald Society. Tonight we
celebrate our heritage and traditions within the Fire Service, as we honor
our award winners and remember those who have gone before us. I would
like to thank the Society for all their efforts during the past year helping to
keep our society strong and effective.
Tonight I would like to congratulate all of our medal winners. It is
an honor to award Captain Stephen Rogoski, 2nd Assistant Chief Michael
Kampf, Chief Rodney Pierson, Lieutenant Matthew Shimkus, Lieutenant
Alfred Callahan, Nicolas Aldrich and 2nd Lieutenant Christopher Gayor from
the Southampton FD, and EMT–CC Kevin Bader, Paramedic James Deutsch
of Terryville Fire District and EMT Christopher Rodriguez, Paramedic Dan
Desoiza of Coram Fire District, and Ex-Captain Jack McLoughlin of the
Hauppauge FD here tonight to accept their awards.
I also have the great pride and pleasure to present the Irishman of
the Year Award to John McKenna, Northport FD John has been a longtime
member of the Emerald Society and this presentation to him tonight is long
overdue. Serving his Community well is not all John does and this honor is
fitting and deserved. John every single year raises money for Kids cancer and
works tirelessly with the Veterans who served for our freedom. We welcome
all his friends and family here tonight to share in John’s recognition.
I would like to thank the officers of the Emerald Society for all their
continued support and help during the past year. I would also like to thank
President Michael Mooney for your leadership and guidance for the two years
you were president before me, I would also like to thank you for your support
and help to the Society since you did and continue to do an outstanding job
for the Society, we wish you and your Family well.
Finally I would like to thank my wife Christy for standing by my
side. I would like to thank the Central Islip Fire District, Department and
Engine and Hose Co. #1 for hosting our event tonight. In closing, just as our
ancestors came from Ireland and joined together to enrich their lives, we
come together to carry on that fine tradition within our society. Your support
of this society will continue to make it grow and flourish.
Firematically Yours,
Kevin J. McAteer Jr.
President
Suffolk County Firefighters
Emerald Society
Officers
President....................... Kevin McAteer
Central Islip FD
Vice-President.............. Dan Gallagher
Hauppauge FD
Secretary....................... Ed Moore
Quogue FD
Treasurer....................... Mark Gajowski
Riverhead FD
Sgt. at Arms.................. David Nulty
Terryville FD
Chaplain........................ Janine Roe
Bellport FD
Past Presidents
William J. Heffernan........... 1988 – 1989
Joseph Patton ...................... 1990
William F. Murray .............. 1991 – 1992
Richard Blake....................... 1993 – 1994
John A. Devine .................... 1995 – 1996
Michael Barry ..................... 1996 – 1998
Robert McConville ............. 1999 – 2000
Kiernan Murphy ................. 2000 – 2002
Donald Gleason .................. 2003 – 2004
William Kelly ...................... 2005 – 2006
Robert Gosse ....................... 2007
Don Miller ........................... 2008 – 2009
Mike Mooney ...................... 2009 – 2011
CONGRATULATIONS
to our favorite fireman and one of the most generous men we know
John McKenna
John Bender and John McKenna
W I T H
E V E R Y
B E S T
W I S H
F R O M
THE BENDER FAMILY
John, Alanna, Shannon, Brady & Casey
Northport
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
Congratulates John McKenna
President Peter Howard
Vice President James Glozek
Al Bakker
Matt Bruckenthal
Len Bruen
Mike Cook
Tom Endee
Mike Gigante
Steve Golub
Pete Hayes
JT Herfurth
Chris Hughes
Stephen Kerekes
Bill Ricca
Greg Cerar
Rob Ramonetti
to make the meeting and the Commissioner said, “I’ll sign you
up, you repay me the dues. You’ll be a ‘Charter Member’.” To this
day, John will tell you it was one of his better investments. He
proudly marches with the Suffolk County Firefighters’ Emerald
Society up Fifth Avenue. He’s missed only one St Patrick’s Day
Parade in New York City, and that was only when a back surgery
did not allow.
Chief McKenna introduced St Baldrick’s Foundation
and its signature head shaving events to Long Island. He
supports the efforts of St Baldrick’s Foundation and their quest
to conquer childhood cancers. John was asked to serve on the
Foundation’s Board of Directors, and he was honored to accept.
Over the past eleven years, he and his team of volunteers have
locally raised more than 4 million dollars for childhood cancer
research, and the St Baldrick’s Foundation has raised more
than 130 million dollars. Suffolk County Firefighters’ Emerald
Society members proudly participate, and greatly support, St
Baldrick’s Foundation.
C
2013 Irishman of The Year
Ex-Chief John McKenna
hief John McKenna began his fire service career
1986 as a volunteer firefighter with Northport Fire
Department Hook & Ladder Company 1. In 1989
he was hired by the Inc. Village of Northport as a Firehouse
Attendant/Dispatcher and in 1992 was hired as Fire Marshal for
the Inc. Village of Northport. He is a 27 year firefighter and 25
year Emergency Medical Technician.
Having been raised in a large Irish household (his
father’s side from Co. Derry, and his mother’s from Co. Donegal)
John was well used to all things Irish and with good ceol & craic
(music & fun), it was life as usual within the McKenna Clan.
Chief McKenna is as proud of his Irish heritage as he is of his
American Nationality.
In 1988, Northport’s Fire Commissioner Roger
Hennessey said to John, “They’re starting a Firefighters’ Emerald
Society in Suffolk County. Tonight’s the first meeting, I’m going
and you should too.” John told the Commissioner he wasn’t able
Line of Shamrocks
Past Irishmen
of the Year
Seven years ago Chief McKenna resurrected the
longtime dormant Sons of the American Legion, an affiliate of
Northport American Legion Post 694. John and then Northport
Police Sergeant Bill Ricca were able to build a 36 member strong
group dedicated to supporting the aging Veterans of Northport
and Suffolk County. John and the Sons have taken special
interest in caring for and supporting homeless veterans sheltered
on the grounds of the Veterans Administration Hospital. These
men and women range in service from the Korean War to the
current Iraq/Afghanistan War. John will tell you these men
and women carry tremendous burdens on their shoulders. He
believes we enjoy our liberties because these men and women
have enabled us those freedoms. They knew nothing of us and
expected nothing of us, yet they set off to assure we would not
fall to tyranny or oppression. Chief McKenna would ask you,
“How can we not support them now in their time of need?” He
does not like the term homeless and prefers use of the word
displaced. He’s led volunteer efforts to remodel and rebuild, to
provide dignity and show appreciation for, and an admiration of,
their sacrifices and their efforts for we the people of the United
States of America.
Today, he is an Ex-Chief of his department, 1st Vice
President of the Town of Huntington Chiefs’ Council, a
Board Member Emeritus of St Baldrick’s Foundation and Past
Commander of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 694. On
his off time he enjoys all things outdoors and most importantly
time with his family.
2010 – Donald J. Corkery
2008 – Robert J. Earley Sr.
2006 – Robert McConville
2004 – Father Daniel J. Bitsko
2002 – William Murray
2000 – William Reilly
1998 – Richard Johnson Sr.
1996 – Christopher Bodkin
1994 – Kevin Shea
1992 – Ex-Chief Jack Miller
1991 – Hon. Pete McGowan
1990 – Hon Herb Davis
1989 – Rev. John P. Halpin
1988 – Mike McCormick
Congratulations
John McKenna
from
The Leonhardt Family
Congratulations
Ex-Captain Jack McLoughlin
The Officers and Members
Engine Company 4
Hauppauge Fire Department
J
ack joined the Hauppauge FD in 1964
and is assigned to Engine Co. 4 where
he has the rank of Ex-Captain. He has
been with the department everyday since then,
and was awarded a Smithtown Chiefs Council
Citation in February of 1991.
2013 Harold Lally Lifetime
Achievement Award
Ex-Captain Jack McLoughlin
past
recipients
2010 – Richard Moran
2008 – Salvatore Formica &
Robert Jinks
2006 – Walter C. Reutlinger
2004 – Dan Coffey
In 1968, Jack founded his company
Fire Research, after just four years of being
a volunteer firefighter. His engineering
background and creative thinking helped him
create a company whose sole purpose was to
advance and modernize equipment in the fire
service. Every fireman is familiar with the Skull
Saver – it was designed by Jack many years
ago. Jack also designed and marketed the first
electronic water level gauge in the fire industry
and the first electronic governor. He holds 37
patents for his innovations. After 45 years of
running and expanding this successful venture,
Jack stepped down as President of Fire Research
this year, but remains working to continue the
success of this company. His hard work with
this company now reaches around the globe
as his business has grown internationally. Jack
is also a charter member of FAMA – the Fire
Apparatus Manufacturers Association serving
as Chairman of the Statistics Committee and
has received their prestigious award – Star
Achiever.
Throughout his many years of service
to the fire service, Jack has always had one
intention, and that is to make everything better. He is never satisfied with “good enough” and
has worked on countless ideas to improve the
quality and innovation of equipment and safety
on the fireground. The only trait that trumps
his work ethic is his benevolence. Jack above
and beyond everything else is a family man, to
quote Jack the achievement he is most proud
of is being husband to Sherry, father to eight
children and grandfather to fourteen. His
kindness and generosity is not just limited
to his large family, but to everyone he comes
across. To this day he does all that he can do for
anyone that needs help. Throughout the years
Jack has offered support and employment at his
company to many fellow firefighters and aided
others in ways most of us will never hear about.
Recently the Hauppauge Fire Department
unveiled a new 9/11 Memorial, and Jack was an
incredible resource and donated an incredible
amount of time, thought, and effort into this
project, all while hiding behind the scenes.
Next year, Jack will achieve his 50 years
of service, but he didn’t earn it by hanging out
in the kitchen or the lounge; he has earned it by
working hard everyday to ensure that when he
leaves the fire service, it will be in much better
shape than when he found it.
BEST WISHES TO THE
SUFFOLK FIREFIGHTERS EMERALD SOCIETY
ALAN JACOBY
Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster
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Advocate for the Policy Holder
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516-978-1631
770 Marconi Avenue, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
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All Property Damage Claims Handled
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Member & Band Manager
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NASSAU COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS PIPES & DRUMS
Engine Company 3
Hauppauge Fire Department
Congratulates
Ex-Captain Jack McLoughlin
On Being Named The Recipient
Of The
Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighter’s
Emerald Society
2013 Harold Lally
Lifetime Achievement Award
All The Best Jack
From
The Officers and Members Of
Engine Company 3
Home of the Black Sheep
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE
WORLD’S BEST
BROTHER AND UNCLE
JACK YOU ARE TRULY SPECIAL
THE MCKEEVER FAMILY
Congratulations
and
Best Wishes
from
F
Larry Williams Valor Award
ire crews responded to a structure fire at a residence at 5 Bellows
Lane in Southampton Village. Captain Rogoski was the first on
the scene. When he heard that someone was inside, he made a
push into the fully involved home to find the elderly woman.
Chief Pierson arrived shortly after and also attempted to get into the
building. The Chief heard the woman yelling but was unable to locate her
because the smoke and heat were becoming unbearable, neither of them
had time to put on equipment and made the push completely unprotected.
When the crews arrived, they made another push into the smokefilled home. Second Lieutenant Christopher Capalbo and his crew went
down a narrow hallway, while Lt. Shimkus and Chief Kampf searched the
bedroom where they found the woman under a bed. Lt. Callahan grabbed
Lt. Capalbo and pointed him into the room. As Lt. Callihan cleared a path
back to the front door, Chief Kampf and Lt. Shimkus handed the victim to
Lt. Capalbo who removed the victim.
The woman was pulled from the fire without a pulse and was
not breathing. Lt. Callahan said he began CPR with the assistance of
Southampton Village Police until ambulance crews arrived. Resuscitation
efforts were continued on the scene and during the transport to the
hospital. By the time she arrived at the hospital, the woman had a
sustainable pulse and blood pressure, but was in critical condition. The 95
year old victim later died at Southampton Hospital as a result of carbon
monoxide poisoning.
past recipients
2010 – Raymond Germaine, Thomas Kriklava
2008 – Brian O’Neill, Joseph Barbara
2006 – David Robrecht
2004 – William Nichols
2002 – William Waldron Jr., Peter Brennan,
James Cummings, Robert Souhrada,
Daniel Boucher
2000 – Jamie Dobbs, Richard Huttie,
Thomas Mattos, Richard Templeton
1998 – Patrick Molloy, Peter Collie,
Paul Campson
1996 – Douglas Mulholland, Kenneth T. Jones,
William Pyne III
1994 – Robert A. Miller, Donald Miller,
Peter Baretsky, Robert Pettigrew,
Jack Parrett
1992 – Kelly Lopreto
1991 – Charles Cunningham
1989 – Michael McMahon
Proudly serving over 100 fire dept.’s in five states.
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“We don’t guarantee awards, only professional grantsmanship.”
Congratulations
Chris Rodriguez
Daniel Desoiza
From the Chiefs, Officers, and Members
of the
Coram Fire Department
COMHGHAIRDEAS
(congratulations)
To the Greatest Brother and Uncle
May you live to be a hundred years
with one extra year to repent
From all the Cafaros
Brennan-Schrang Valor Award
O
n Monday, April 15, 2013, at approximately
1725, the Coram Fire Department ambulance
was returning from St. Charles Hospital in Port
Jefferson after bringing a patient to the emergency room.
While en route back to Coram, Paramedic Bob Peters
began experiencing chest pain and notified the driver of
the ambulance that he needed to go back to the hospital.
Shortly after that statement the Paramedic became
unresponsive. The driver immediately alerted the Terryville
Fire Department dispatcher of the situation and advised
them he was responding to the Terryville Headquarters for
assistance.
The Coram ambulance arrived at Terryville at the same
time that Terryville EMT-CC Kevin Bader walked into
the firehouse early for the start of his 1800 shift. EMTCC Bader was advised of the situation and immediately
ran to the aide of the patient. He found the Paramedic on
the ground in cardiac arrest after being removed from the
ambulance. Terryville EMT-CC Bader and Coram EMT
Chris Rodriguez aggressively treated the patient with
Basic Life Supportive measures including CPR. EMT-CC
Bader was given the cardiac monitor from Coram Fire
Department ambulance. After assessing the patients EKG
rhythm, he was found to be in Ventricular Fibrillation.
Once EMT-CC Bader recognized that the patient was
in a lethal cardiac rhythm he managed to successfully
defibrillate the patient one time. Once this life saving action
was completed, the patient had a return of spontaneous
circulation. Upon the return of spontaneous circulation the
patient regained consciousness during the transport to St.
Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson by a combination crew of
Terryville Fire District EMS and Coram Fire Department
EMS personnel. The patient was later taken to University
Hospital Stony Brook where he is listed in stable condition.
Coram Paramedic Bob Peters’ life was saved thanks to
the efforts of Terryville EMT-CC Kevin Bader and Coram
EMT Chris Rodriguez.
past recipients
2010 – William Brown
2008 – John Ipolito Jr.
Edward Kunz Jr.
2006 – Rick Gimbl
2004 – Bryan Butler
Edward Smith
Congrats
John McKenna
Irishman of the Year
ed
gianelli
!
JOHN McKENNA
!
Brave
Compassionate
Friend
Leader
Public Servant
Fire Chief
Champion for Kids with Cancer
All-around HERO
!
Thank you for your multi-faceted leadership on Long Island
and throughout the worldwide childhood cancer community.
!
Kathleen Ruddy
The Grand Council of
United Emerald Societies
Congratulates
Irishman of the Year
John McKenna
Thank You
To all the charter members who started our Society 25 years ago...
William Angel
John McKenna
John Durkin
Francis Smith
John Kelly
Robert Collins
John Roddy
Michael Heffernan
Edward Baker
Michael McAllister
Brian Fahey
Daniel Spain
James Kilkenny
Scott Collins
Scott Ruf
Neil Heffernan
Mark Barret
James McDonough
Joseph Flood
Richard Stack
Robert Knight
William Murray
Kenneth Ford
William Heffernan
Michael Barry
Roger Devitt
Kathleen Ryan
Edward Stewart
Harold Lally
Stephen McGerty
Gerard Fremgen
Thomas Heinssen Jr.
Alan Bayley
Lloyd Dey
William Ryan
Edward Stewart Jr.
William Larkin
Michael Cummings
Richard Rushton
Roger Hennessey
David Bayley
William Noonan
Ronald Schnall
Thomas Sullivan
Joseph Lynch
John Dolan
James Gallagher
John Hickey
Thomas Bittner
Brian O’Connor
Germain Schrang
Joseph Tacopina
Lawrence Blatt
John Donovan
James Glidden
Robert Johnson
Richard MacDougal
Thomas O’Donnell
Christopher Fullan
Charles Vermilyea
Brian Mahoney
James Dowd
Gerard Schrang
Mark Johnson
Stephen Butler
Richard Doyle
John Glidden
Matthew Wallace
Terence Mawn
Shaun O’Sullivan
Bruce Smith
Edward Johnston
James Canty
Robert Doyle
Edward Goutink
Robert Wallace
Clifford Marone
Brian O’Shaughnessy
Paul Smith
James Kane
William Carey
Joseph Patton
Christopher Grennan
Joseph Williams
Dane Martin
Michael Duffy
Stephen Smith
Timothy M. Keane
Mark Carley
Richard Purcell
Father John Halpin
James Zarb
Sean McCabe
John F. Durkin
Thomas Smith
Timothy Keane
Walter Carman
Thomas Richardson
Thomas Harrington
Bernard Zepess
Joseph F. Williams
Commissioner
Department of Fire, Rescue,
& Emergency Services
Congratulations, Irish-American Firefighter of the Year
John McKenna!
You’re a hero to us all, but we especially thank you for being a champion for
children with cancer and their families.
God bless you, John!
All our best,
The Buchers
(In loving memory of Arden Quinn and Fr. Peter J. McKenna)
It is with my most heartfelt thanks to all the Officers and members
of the Society for keeping the ideas and goals that were set forth 25 years
ago by Joe Patton, Billy Larkin, and myself. We believed we started a good
thing then and now, with your continued dedication, you have shown that
the Society has become a great thing.
When I began the Emerald Society I was lucky enough to make many
good friends, many of whom have departed but are not forgotten. I would
like to dedicate this page to all of them, good Society members, good
firefighters, and good Irishmen. May the Good Lord bless them and keep
them as they so well deserve.
Thank you all
Bill Heffernan
Charter President
~
Congratulations
~
Huntington Township
Fire Chiefs Council
To our Long Island Brothers
Suffolk County Volunteer Fire Department Emerald Society
!
May those who love us, love us
And those who don’t love us may God turn their hearts
And if he cannot turn their hearts may he turn their Ankle
So we can see them by their limping
!
!
!
!
!
!
From your Friends
The Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums
Fir na Tine
!
!
RESTAURANT
25th Anniversary
Best Wishes
CATERING
Bill & Joan Murray
Bayshore FD
ENTERTAINMENT
Charter Member
Past President 1991-1992
Irishman of the Year 2002
131 Carleton Avenue
East Islip, NY 11730
Phone: 631-277-0007
fax: 631-277-4744
email: [email protected]
www.irishcoffeepub.com
Chiefs, Officers, and Members
of the
East Northport Fire Department
For all the members of the Emerald Society that have gone before us.
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331 Knickerbocker Avenue
Bohemia, NY 11716
Phone: (631) 567-2025
Fax: (631) 567-3953
[email protected]
www.aaau.com
SUFFOLK COUNTY
Thank You...
Volunteer Firefighters
Burn Center Fund, Inc.
The Suffolk County Volunteer
Firefighters Burn Center Fund
mission is to provide support
services to burn victims, both
civilians and firefighters through
research, education, leadership,
prevention and funding.
60 Carleton Ave.
Central Islip, NY 11722
631-274-6008
Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters
Burn Center Fund, Inc
PO Box 765
Smithtown, NY 11787
www.suffolkffburn.com
CONGRATULATIONS
John McKenna
From
YORQUEST ASSOCIATES LTD
www.yorquestltd.com
CONGRATULATIONS
John McKenna
ON A LIFE OF
SELFLESS SERVICE
TO OTHERS
The Feeney Family
Highland Beach, FL
Suffolk County Firefighters Emerald Society
25th Anniversary Dinner - Dance
Irishman of the Year
Ex-Chief John McKenna
Northport Fire Department
The Larry Williams Award for Valor
Southampton Fire Department
Captain Stephen Rogoski, 2nd Assistant Chief Michael Kampf,
Chief Rodney Pierson, Lieutenant Matthew Shimkus,
Lieutenant Alfred Callahan, Nicholas Aldrich, Chris Gaynor
The Brennan – Shrang Award for Valor
EMT-CC Kevin Bader, Paramedic James Deutcsh Terryville Fire District
EMT Christopher Rodriguez, Paramedic Daniel Desoiza Coram Fire District
The Harold Lally Lifetime Achievement Award
Ex-Captain Jack McLoughlin
Hauppauge Fire Department