Cromwell
Fire Department
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to
recognize individuals whose extraordinary efforts over a prolonged period of
time led to a dramatic, lasting improvement in Fire/Rescue or Emergency Medical
Services in the town of Cromwell. The award was first given in 1998.
"Butch" Deming was captain of the fire police for several years as well as an
honored and respected firefighter.
Former Chief Bill Lee was honored for his long-term dedication to Cromwell and
to the highest ideals of the fire service.
| 2002: Oren "Rebel" Cleland |
"Rebel" has served our department well and faithfully since 1962. Offices held
include Engineer and Chief of the Fire Police. Countless hours were spent on the
roadways in and around Cromwell, directing motorists around emergency scenes and
helping to keep our members safe. He retired from Pratt & Whitney.
Joined the
CFD in 1953. Held the positions of Engineer, Asst. Chief Engineer, Chief
Engineer, 2nd Asst. Chief, 1st Asst. Chief, Fire Marshal, Training Officer.
Became Life Member in 1987
| 2000: Richard "Deke" Watrous |
Former Fire Chief Deke Watrous was honored for his many years of service to our
department and community.
| 1999: Jim Pagano and Parker Roberts |
Parker Roberts was honored for his years of dedication and for improving
emergency care in Cromwell. He joined the Ambulance Division in 1980 and retired
in 1991, having served 2 years as VP and 3 years as President. During his years
we went from one Cadillac ambulance to one van and one "modular." Responses
nearly doubled, from less than 500 to more than 900 calls per year. He responded
to more than 1600 calls, including the first LifeStar helicopter response in
Cromwell on West Street at Community Field (2-car crash 100 yds. from the West
St. firehouse). Also, during his tenure many of the EMS members upgraded
certification to "EMT Plus" which included MAST (anti-shock trousers) and EGTA
(advanced airway management).
Parker and Jim also coordinated EMS coverage for the first Greater Hartford
Open golf tournament held in Cromwell, in 1984. Middlesex Hospital provided the
MD coverage and we provided about 70 volunteer EMTs. Coverage began on Monday of
GHO week and ended the following Sunday, a day that featured extreme heat and
more than 80,000 crunched around the 18th hole for the finish. We covered the
town and the event using both Cromwell rigs and one from Rocky Hill.
Bill joined our department as a firefighter in 1982, and has held many positions
during his tenure. He served as an engineer from 1984-1986, then as Chief
Engineer from 1987-1990. In 1990 he was elected Captain, and served 5 years with
various responsibilities, including Rescue Captain. In addition to field duties,
in 1995 he became a dispatcher. He returned to the office of Chief Engineer for
1996, served with the Fire Police for 1997, and retired from active service in
1998. He became a certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher and continues to serve
in our communications center.
Among other accomplishments, Bill Gibb was responsible for bringing the first
Medical Response Technician course to our department for Rescue Squad members;
for selecting our fist cold water rescue suits; for procuring our larger Zodiac
inflatable rescue boat; and for designing our "twins," Engine 1 and Engine 2.
