Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

At ceremony, Harrisburg Fire Bureau swears in new members, recognizes firefighters’ service during COVID

Harrisburg Bureau of Fire officials honor members at their annual ceremony.

An annual Harrisburg fire department event took on new meaning this year as officials reflected on the impact of the pandemic.

At their 2021 awards ceremony on Monday, Harrisburg Bureau of Fire officials recognized many firefighters for their actions during the unprecedented year and swore in new firefighters.

“This year, our Bureau of Fire, as well as our colleagues across the country, and, quite frankly, the world, have valiantly served the citizens of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg region as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chief Brian Enterline.

Enterline awarded his annual “Chief’s Award” to all members of the bureau for their service during the pandemic.

Three new firefighters, Dylan Landuyt, Johnathon Felty and Codie Schaffner, officially joined the bureau on Monday. The swearing-in of these firefighters brings the bureau to a full complement of 90 personnel, Enterline said.

“That’s an extraordinary, extraordinary thing,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “We are going to invest in the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire.”

In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, the following awards and recognitions were given to firefighters in the bureau:

  • Award of Bravery—Kyle Paul
  • Award of Merit—Capt. Aldo Morelli, James Grundon, Zachary Miller, Patrick Giberson, John Peskie, Battalion Chief Jason Lloyd
  • Unit Citation—Lt. William Skinner, Nathaniel Barbolish, Justin Zimmerman, Michael Stender, Lt. Jeffrey Miller, Jared Day, Thomas Propst, Joseph Kuhn, Battalion Chief Brian Bastinelli, David Gilkey, Shane Conrad, Lt. Robert Lohin, Brandon Trygar, Jamie Kleckner, Thomas Cucchiara
  • CPR Save—Jared Day, Lt. Corey Stone, William Junkin, Shane Conrad, David Aguayo, Johnathan Little, Thomas Cucchiara, Austin Howard, Capt. Charles Zavrel, Richard Brocius, Nicholas Hurst, Lt. Brian Yonkin, Marty Henderson, Glenn Raudensky

Bureau members of the Pennsylvania Task Force 1 also received National Deployment Awards for assisting throughout the country. Six members received an award for assisting with the presidential inauguration. Another 12 were awarded for their assistance at the time of Hurricane Ida this summer. Eight more members of the bureau received the award for working to save survivors of the collapse of the Champlain Towers in Florida.

One firefighter, Brent Hill, received a National Deployment Award for the use of his skills to support the National Interagency Fire Center during California’s wildfire season.

The following firefighters were recognized for their years of service:

  • Battalion Chief Brian Bastinelli–25 years
  • Battalion Chief Cornell Bradford–20 years
  • John Matson–15 years
  • Jonathon Morrow–15 years
  • Lt. Corey Stone–15 years
  • Bobby Jones–15 years
  • Thomas Cucchiara–5 years
  • Michael Shaak–5 years
  • Kyle Paul–5 years
  • Pablo Passalacqua–5 years

Firefighter Deshawn Dennis was recognized at the ceremony for his retirement earlier this year.

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