East Rockaway Fire Department gets a strange request

Recently, the chief’s office of the East Rockaway Fire Department was contacted by a woman who lived out of state and had a rather unusual request.

It seems that her 99-year-old grandfather, John Firth was a member of the department back in the 1940’s and 50’s and had lost a cherished tie clip from his service which he wanted to replace.

Senior members of the Department were consulted and none could recall the gentleman from their past. However, they were able to piece together the belief that this lost tie clip from Vigilant Engine Company was likely a commemorative gift given to the company members in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary in 1943.

Ex-Chief Mike Martin took up the cause of confirming Firth’s membership. Working with other ex-chief’s and senior members of the department, old records were poured over and sure enough, Firth was a member of Vigilant Engine Company from 1944 through 1959. His service predated mostly all of the living members and dated back to a time when the company was virtually stripped of manpower as members were off fighting in World War II.

With a strong sense of pride in having rediscovered this long lost member, a “care package” of past and current department photos, patches and other items was put together and sent off to him. In an email response, Mrs. Firth responded “He was very pleased and excited to receive all of the attention from the guys at ERFD. Please let them all know that they have made him feel great about his service to the Fire Department.”

As for the tie clip, while no other examples of this treasured item are known to exist, the company has taken up the cause of creating a new company tie clip for each of its members and naturally, one will be sent to Mr. Firth as well!

Story submiited by Steve Torborg, 3rd Assistant Chief, East Rockaway Fire Department.

Steve Torborg

3rd Asst. Chief

East Rockaway Fire Department