The Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department paused this week to honor Richard Byrne as he moved to veteran status after serving the department for 58 years.
Byrne will not sever his relationship with the department, however. “He just won’t be putting on air packs, driving trucks and doing the day-to-day stuff,” said department spokesman Jon Barbagallo.
During the ceremony at the firehouse, Byrne was presented with an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly, sponsored by Senator Paul Honig and Representative Maria Horn, honoring his service to the fire department.
Since Byrne joined the fire company in 1968, the department has been housed in two fire stations and is now preparing to move into a third. He has held every rank in the department except fire chief and helped write the department’s history, ensuring that the stories and people who have served since the department formed in 1902 are not forgotten.
In addition to his 58 years with the fire department, for more than 25 years Byrne has been the town’s Emergency Management director and chairman of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, roles he will continue.