On Saturday, March 10, 2007, the Gordon Heights Fire Department
began its 60th year with a celebration at the Windows on the Lake in
Lake Ronkonkoma. Striding into the hall with pride, the new officers
and members of the beleaguered department committed themselves to
continued service to the community. During the recognition of
department members and guests, Commissioner Chesley Ruffin said, “In
spite of all the negative publicity, we served the community 24/7,
answering 667 alarms last year, and providing more mutual aid to
surrounding departments than ever before.”
The Board of Commissioners, led by Chairperson James Kelly, swore in
the following department officers: Chief Bernard Smith, First
Assistant Chief Erton Rudder, President Patricia Wilson-Brown, Vice
President Ninette Riley, Financial Secretary Eileen Berrios-Pryor,
Treasurer Florence Young, and Sergeants-at-arms Madeline
Hunter-Moore and Carlotta Brown.
Chief’s awards went to Joaquin Curate, Leon Forrest, and James
Kelly. It was noted that this is the fourth time that Bernard Smith
has stepped up to assume the position of Chief.
Length of service awards were given to the following: 20 years--
Avery Dean, James Lewis, and Chesley Ruffin; 25 years-- Madeline
Hunter-Moore, Carlotta H. Brown, Janie Ramsey, Harriet A. Wilson,
and Florence Young; 30 years--Ralph D. Wilson, James Kelly, and
Frank Gaetan; 35 years--Victor A. Pinto, Jr.; 45 years--James Owens;
and 60 years--Robert Wilson, one of the original members of the fire
department. Also in attendance was the oldest living member of the
department, Sam Spence, 90.
As one firefighter said, “It looks like we weathered the storm, and
will be around for another 60 years.”
-C. Anderson
