Honorable Retiree of the Syracuse Fire Department,
On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80 th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more on higher floors.
As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcast live images of what initially appeared to be a freak accident. Then, 17 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767—United Airlines Flight 175—appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center, and sliced into the south tower near the 60th floor. The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and onto the streets below. It immediately became clear that America was under attack.
You are cordially invited to attend as the City of Syracuse observes 17 minutes of silence on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The ceremony will be held at Forman Park, located at 717 E. Genesee St. between E. Genesee St., Almond St., and Forman Ave. in Downtown Syracuse, with opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. Please RSVP to cbalduzzi@syr.gov by Thursday, September 4th.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Monds
Chief of Fire
Letter from Chief of Fire, Michael J. Monds
Sean Kirst: Roosevelt Field
/in Frontpage Article, NewsIn Shadow of State Football Playoffs, City Dreams — Old and New — at Roosevelt Field
by Sean Kirst (December 7, 2025) — Story references Syracuse Firefighters Tom Humberstone and Ken Kinsey
The following column recounts some rich football history — as well as dreams for the future — at the old Roosevelt Field on Brighton Avenue, once the capital of high school football in Central New York. Columnist Sean Kirst is interested in your memories: If you recall the days when Roosevelt reigned as the region’s premier high school field, email Kirst at skirst@centralcurrent.org, and he’ll collect those thoughts in a followup piece.
Sixty-two years after making the best split-second football decision of his life, Tony Dottolo looked out last Thursday from inside his idling SUV as a fierce snow squall swallowed up the field where it happened — though the storm hardly diminished his memory of an intense high school huddle and a pivotal call Dottolo made for his teammates on third down.
At 79, those memories were sparked by his return after many years to Brighton Avenue’s Roosevelt Field, next to what’s now Brighton Middle School Academy — a structure built a century ago as the old Theodore Roosevelt Junior High. In 1963, Dottolo was a senior quarterback on a once-beaten Eastwood High team that went up against powerful Christian Brothers Academy, which was atop the old City League and rolling with a 12-game winning streak.
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Sean Kirst: 25th Adoption Day
/in Frontpage Article, NewsAt 25th Adoption Day Gathering, a ‘Founding Father’ Finds a Roomful of Children, Love and Meaning
by Sean Kirst (November 24, 2025) — Story references Syracuse Firefighter Dave Johnson
Up in the front, prominent family court judges at a massive head table offered words of gratitude Friday to dozens of about-to-happen adoptive families, seated throughout a packed Oncenter conference hall.
In the back — where many women and men were watching on their feet, part of the standing-room-only spillover of a crowd of easily 500 — Eva Mroczek weaved through the pack, an infant who would soon formally become her daughter in her arms, looking for a guy she wanted the chance to thank.
When Eva spotted anyone she knew within the tight Syracuse adoption community — which was a lot of people — she would ask: “Have you seen Kevin Harrigan?” …
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2026 Upcoming Ski Trips
/in UncategorizedFebruary 2-4, 2026: Overnight Ski Trip to Jay Peak
2 nights lodging / 2 day lift ticket / 1 group dinner
Contact: Matt Gokey T4C
February 12, 2026 – Annual Gore Ski Trip
Bus leaves Nibsys at 6:40 AM and returns by 7:00 PM
Contact: JP Suits for more information
Promotion / Retirement Dinner – Nov. 13
/in Frontpage Article, NewsThe 2025 Promotion/Retirement Dinner Party will be held Thursday November 13th at the Embassy Suites Syracuse (Destiny USA) from 6 to 10pm. Tickets are on sale now through November 5th at the Credit Union. $30 for members and retirees, guests are $50. This year’s honorees are:
Retirees:
FF Dwayne Britt
FF Gary Butler
Lt. Paul Haynes
DC John Kilpatrick
FF Chad Majo
Lt. August Matt
Lt. Casy Mack
Lt. Joel McNally
Capt. Jason Page
DC Michael Radford
FF Michael Raymie
FF John Romanyk
Lt. Steve Segar
FF Eric Szentmiklosi
FF Michael Valenti
Capt. Eric Yetman
Promotions:
Greg Petersen – Dist. Chief (Nov 2024)
Richard Adams – Captain (Nov 2024)
James Peet II – Lieutenant (Nov 2024)
Brain Schreiner – Lieutenant (Nov 2024)
Cody Brandt – Lieutenant (Nov 2024)
Jacob Moulton – Dist. Chief (Dec 2024)
Seth Shapess – Captain (Dec 2024)
Arick Hess – Lieutenant (Jan 2025)
Johnny Huddleston – Captain (Mar 2025)
Bret Whaley – Lieutenant (Mar 2025)
Matthew Corbett – Captain (Apr 2025)
George Cowburn – Deputy Chief (May 2025)
Andrew Carducci – Captain (May 2025)
William Pace – Lieutenant (May 2025)
Samuel Stayer – Lieutenant (May 2025)
Michael Kisselstein – Lieutenant (May 2025)
Syracuse Retirees Meeting – October 25th
/in UncategorizedAll are invited to attend the next meeting of the Syracuse Retired Firefighters Association on Wednesday, October 25th. The meeting will take place upstairs at Nibsy’s Pub (201 Ulster Street, Syracuse) at 7:00 PM. We’d love to see you there!
9-11 Ceremony Invitation to Retires
/in Frontpage Article, NewsHonorable Retiree of the Syracuse Fire Department,
On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80 th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more on higher floors.
As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcast live images of what initially appeared to be a freak accident. Then, 17 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767—United Airlines Flight 175—appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center, and sliced into the south tower near the 60th floor. The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and onto the streets below. It immediately became clear that America was under attack.
You are cordially invited to attend as the City of Syracuse observes 17 minutes of silence on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The ceremony will be held at Forman Park, located at 717 E. Genesee St. between E. Genesee St., Almond St., and Forman Ave. in Downtown Syracuse, with opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. Please RSVP to cbalduzzi@syr.gov by Thursday, September 4th.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Monds
Chief of Fire
Letter from Chief of Fire, Michael J. Monds
Credit Union Member Appreciation Week
/in UncategorizedAt the CU: August 11 –15, 2025!
Join the Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union, now in its 75th anniversary year, for its 2025 Member Appreciation Week.
Schedule of Events
-Hoffman dogs
-Smashburgers
-Chicken riggies
-Vegetarian wrap [V]
-Salad with grilled vegetables [V&GF]
-Mac and cheese
Skippy’s Ice Cream truck (11am – 2pm), and Shred truck (11am – 1pm)
Friday 8/15/25: Coming soon!
41st Annual SFD Golf Tournament
/in Frontpage Article, NewsRegister today for the 41st Annual SFD Golf Tournament on Monday, August 11 (A shift is working) at Pompey Club. Check-In opens at 8:30 AM with a shotgun start at 9:30 AM.
All active and retired professional firefighters are welcome to attend. Captain & Crew format, $500 per team includes skins. Price includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner, awards, prizes, and beer/soda on course.
41st Annual SFD Golf Tournament – Registration Form
2025 Awards & Promotions Ceremony – June 11th
/in Frontpage Article, NewsYou are cordially invited to attend the Syracuse Fire Department 2025 Awards & Promotions Ceremony on Wednesday, June 11 at 5:00 PM at the National Veterans Resource Center (101 Waverly Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13224). Immediately following the ceremony, Local 280 will host a reception at the upper level of this location. Please help us to recognize the brave members of the Syracuse Fire Department for their exemplary service to the department and the Syracuse community.
Please RSVP the number attending (including yourself) by Wednesday, June 4th by e-mailing cbalduzzi@syr.gov.
Michael Monds, Chief of Fire
Syracuse Fire Fighters Local 280 Clambake
/in Frontpage Article, NewsSixty retired Syracuse Fire Fighters gathered for this year’s clambake at Spinning Wheel on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the Spinning Wheel Restaurant in North Syracuse. The brothers enjoyed a beautiful day of sunny weather and 70 degree temperatures!!!
Here are a few photos from the event!
