Southington's Bravest And Finest Honored At Special Awards Gala

SOUTHINGTON, CT — It was a big night this week for the Southington police and fire departments at the Southington Fire Departments' biennial "Awards Night" event.

Every other year, Southington's emergency responders gather to celebrate the accomplishments of all members who do their jobs to protect lives and property.

This year's event took place on Tuesday, November 18, with several residents, police officers, and firefighters receiving a multitude of awards and commendations.

"This event honored our members’ accomplishments, promotions, and years of service. We also honored community members for their brave actions on various incidents throughout town, as well as @southington_police officers and dispatchers for going above and beyond in stressful situations to save lives," wrote the SFD on social media.

The following responders were honored at this week's program:

Promotions

Capt. Edwin Crandall to Battalion Chief
Capt. Christian Mastrianni to Battalion Chief
Capt. Andrew Polzella to Battalion Chief
Capt. Robert Moquin to Battalion Chief
Lt. Daniel Comen to Captain
Lt. Lucas Martin to Captain
Lt. Ryan Pulver to Captain
Lt. Mark Jurgilewicz to Captain
Firefighter Anthony Esteves to Lieutenant
Firefighter Kevin Salmeri to Lieutenant
Firefighter Jasen Zarcone to Lieutenant
Firefighter Derek Dion to Lieutenant
Firefighter Jonathan Moise to Lieutenant

Years of Service Awards

5 years
Firefighter Jeremy Hiriak; Firefighter Christopher Martin; Lieutenant Jonathan Moise; Firefighter Kayla Phillips; and Firefighter Daniel Strout.

10 years
Deputy Fire Marshal Leonard Chozick and Lieutenant Jasen Zarcone

15 years
Battalion Chief Edwin Crandall

25 years
Lt. August Riedinger

30 years
Lt. Brian Badgley and Firefighter Michael Johnson

35 years
Capt. Douglas Badgley

Chief's Exceptional Service
Firefighter Benjamin Kiessling and Krysta Tsangarides

Community Service
Firefighter Kevin Guy; Lt. Anthony Esteves; Lt. Jasen Zarcone; Battalion Chief Edwin Crandall; and Firefighter Daniel Strout

Firefighter of the Year
Career
2024 Lt. Jasen Zarcone
2025 Firefighter Michael DeFeo

Volunteer
2024- Capt. Andrew Rennie
2025-Firefighter Samantha DiPace

Howard Avenue Fire — Meritorious Conduct
Dispatcher Lauren Steffero and Dispatcher Natalie Suchocki

Annelise Avenue — Civilian Commendation
Calvin Vance; JD Vance; and Lily Dauphinais

Crescent Lake Mountain Bike Rescue — Civilian Commendation
Paul Angulo; Tom Tyburski; Chris Maiorano; Ed Handrigan; Dennis Wilson; and Alex Reyes

Unit Citations
Battalion Chief Christian Mastrianni; Lt. Anthony Esteves; Firefighter Jeremy Hiriak; Lt. Kevin Salmeri; Firefighter John Nowik; Lt. August Riedinger; Firefighter Michael O’Sullivan; and Lieutenant Benny Soto

Aircraft Road Second Alarm Plus with Rescue — Meritorious Conduct
Dispatcher Michael Banville, Dispatcher Ryan Ebert, and Dispatcher Jason Marquez

Unit Citations
Lt. Anthony Esteves; Capt. Daniel Comen; Firefighter John Crandall; Firefighter James Boisvert; Firefighter Conner Toomey; Firefighter Michael DeFeo; Sgt. Mark DiBattista; Officer Joseph Drake; and Sgt. Christopher Lamarre

Lifesaving Award
Firefighter Kevin Guyl; Firefighter/Inspector Jeffrey Roy; and Firefighter Kayla Phillips

Silver Medal of Valor
Capt. Ryan Pulver

Route 8, Thomaston — Silver Medal of Valor
Deputy Chief Glenn Dube