The Mineola Junior Fire Department recently held its annual Installation of Officers. More than 170 guests, including dignitaries and families, were present at the affair. The fire department officers were also there to support the junior fire department.
Mayor Scott Strauss swore in the lieutenants Steven Saar, Nick Tavares and Victor Amestegui first, then it was Matteo Itri’s turn as he will be Captain this year. All the officers are very dedicated to the junior fire department organization and rightly earned their positions for the coming year.
Junior firefighter Paul Allen received the Walter Langer Scholarship Award which was presented to him by the late ex-chief’s wife Janet Langer and his daughter Loretta Langer Fromes. Allen, a dedicated member and an honor student at Kellenberg High School, is well deserving of this special award which honors Walter Langer, who was well thought of in the Mineola Fire Department and worked so hard for the betterment of the department.
The climax of the night came when the junior firefighter of the year was announced. This year the junior firefighters of the year went to Andre Dias and Steven Saar. It was a well-deserved award for Dias and Saar as they have shown leadership and dedication to the organization while doing well at Mineola High School, where they are both honor students.
They are dedicated to the junior fire department with making many events and trainings. Dias and Saar are truly responsible members and very popular with the firefighters and advisors.
—Submitted by the Mineola Junior Fire Department
