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03/11/2015 12:00 AMHere are some facts about our 32 North Haven professional firefighters: They answer approximately 4,300 calls per year (83 calls a week, 12 a day, one every two hours). They log approximately 20,000 road miles, rolling out of headquarters with at least 6,000 pieces of apparatus, saving lives with approximately 70 percent of calls being medical calls. Besides our town, they cover the largest stretches of highways-I-91, Route 15 Merritt Parkway, and Route 10/40. These are what we hear and know.
Now what we don't hear and know, the other side of who and what these firefighters are really made of, their volunteer side:
They raise approximately $8,000 annually for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through Jerry's Kids Fill the Boot. They raise approximately $4,000 over three nights for child burn victims through Tip a Firefighter at local restaurants, and in February through St. Baldrick's they shave their heads for cancer research as part of a $60,000 annual donation.
The Fight for Air Climb for the American Lung Association raised more than $8,000. In March is the plunge into Long Island Sound to fundraise for cancer research. They offer Bicycle Helmet Day to show proper helmet use and give free helmets to all children. They also offer Grill Safety Day with free food to show the safe use of outdoor grills.
Firefighters also teach about and distribute home smoke detectors. Note that 100 percent of the above monies go to charity.
These are just some of the things that no one ever gets to see or knows exists among the many other great things done. I'm happy to be able to enlighten the town about these extraordinary men. I am extremely honored and proud to be associated with them. North Haven Professional Firefighters are number 1!
Peter J. Criscuolo, Jr.North Haven
Peter J. Criscuolo, Jr., serves on the Board of Fire Commissioners