Mombasha Fire Co. firefighter receives state fire service community achievement award

Monroe - The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York named veteran firefighter Thomas P. Sullivan of Monroe as the 2008 recipient of its highly respected “Fire Service Community Achievement Award.” He was presented with this honor at the annual FASNY Convention in Rochester in August. “Each year, we present this award to someone who is an outstanding member of his or her volunteer fire department and community,” said Tom Perkins, chairman of the FASNY Fire Service Community Achievement Award Committee. “Thomas Sullivan is the perfect candidate to receive this type of recognition. He has devoted so many years of his life to the fire service and is heavily involved in various organizations. Thomas has truly made a positive impact in his community.” Sullivan joined the Mombasha Fire Company in Monroe in 1975, serving as company president from 1978 to 1980, and then became chief of the Monroe Fire Department in 1989. Some of the most memorable incidents in the history of the Fire Department occurred during the four years that Tom was chief, according to members of the Mombasha Fire Company, including a tragic school bus accident in January 1990 and the Jamesway Department Store fire in April 1990 in which 20 fire companies responded to Monroe. Sullivan received several letters of gratitude for the work that he and his fellow firefighters performed during those emergencies. After 32 years of service, Sullivan remains an active member in the firehouse. Currently, he is the department’s health officer, a deputy chief, and chairman of the death benefits and scholarship committees. His colleagues in the department readily acknowledge how Sullivan pitches in whenever he can, from being a fire truck driver that they can depend on to answer early morning fire calls to frequently serving as Master of Ceremony at the department’s annual dinners. Sullivan also is vice president of the Orange County Firefighters Museum Board of Directors, life member of the Orange County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, honorary member of the Central Valley Fire Company, eighth president and past chairman of the Board of Directors for Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties and a member of the Board of Directors for the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. In the fall 2006, Tom received the Orange County “Distinguished Citizen” award. About Firemen’s Association of the State of New York Founded in 1872, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the more than 100,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State. For more information, visit www.fasny.com.