By JOSEPH KELLARD
"This was a severe blow to the whole department," said Chief John Traverso. OFD's emergency medical workers responded immediately to Bettes' home in an attempt to revive the firefighter before transporting him to South Nassau Communities Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"We made every effort to revive him," said Sean Lynch, second assistant chief of the department.
Bettes, 52, joined the department's Terrace Hose Co. No. 3 in May 1970. At Terrace, he was captain in 1978 and 2000, first lieutenant in 1977, 1985 and 1999, and second lieutenant in 1976 and 1998. He became first assistant chief last January, and was to assume the rank of OFD chief on January 1, 2004.
For more than 25 years, Bettes was head of the OFD's Training Committee, which his brother, Robert, described as his "pet project." "He would go to the academies and come back and teach us what he learned there," said Robert, a former chief of the department.
"He was a teacher on the training committee, and took a very pro-active approach toward the fire department," said Dennis McGlynn, vice chairman of the board of fire commissioners and a member of Terrace Company. "He loved it. It was his life."
Bettes is survived by his wife of 20 years, Kathy, sons Thomas Jr., David, Michael (all members of the OFD), Matthew and Daniel, two brothers, Robert and Charles, and a sister, Barbara Finger.
During the intense fire at Oceanside Institutional Industries in June, Bettes was descending a ladder from the roof of the burning building when the first explosion occurred. He had loved ones inside, but, known for his grace under pressure, Bettes was recognized by firefighters as among the department leaders who kept the calm in the company after this costly fire.
"It was tough, because his sons were in the building fighting the fire," Robert said. "But he stood by us here and kept our heads straight in the company. To do both of those things at the same time is something."
An estimated 1,200 mourners attended services last Sunday night at Towers Funeral Home, and following firematic services the next day at St. Anthony's Church, Thomas Jr., 24, a lieutenant at Salamander Co., spoke to the Herald about his father at the Terrace firehouse.
"A woman came up to me at the services and told me that she remembered my father when he worked for an oil company, servicing boilers, and he would come to her home about eight years ago," Thomas said. "That was the type of person he was, where someone could remember him after all these years and come pay her respects. That says something about the man."
During Sunday's services, Kevin Klein, captain of Terrace Co., remembered his mentor as a teacher who showed him and others how to tap into and develop their potential as firefighters.
"It is one thing to possess knowledge," Klein eulogized. "It is another to share it, and it is still a far greater gift to share it in such a way as to let the student discover your message on their own. That is a unique gift, but one that Tommy had mastered."
After Monday's services, Klein described Bettes as a "top-notch" fireman who was among the most knowledgeable in the department, and said the first assistant chief "came across as a very tough and gruff guy," but, as he said in his eulogy, Bettes was "a kind and gentle soul" who "possessed great compassion, strength and knowledge."
McGlynn described Bettes as "very devoted to his family and five sons." The commissioner's board has made Bettes a posthumous five-star chief, "because that was his goal," McGlynn said. "Unfortunately, terms did not dictate him to do it."
"Tom was a great friend who you could always count on," Traverso said. "He was always there when you needed him. So he will be sorely missed."
Lynch expressed similar sentiment. "Tom was a very popular and well-respected chief, and he was a very knowledgeable guy. We've lost a friend, a leader, and just an overall great guy. He's going to be missed."
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society would be appreciated. The Society is at 555 Broadhollow Road, Suite 43, Melville, NY 11747.
