CSFA Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Class of 2026

The Connecticut State Firefighters Association, Hall of Fame Award is to recognize present and former members of an organized Fire Department that have served both their Fire Department, County and/or State-wide Fire Service Organizations above and beyond normal expectations, over an extended period of time. Inductees shall have demonstrated both leadership and motivation, for the betterment of the Fire Service, throughout Connecticut and the United States. These persons shall have contributed, in a positive way, to the enrichment of the organizations that they represented.

Not only is the goal of this award to recognize those leaders, as outlined above, but also to encourage young people to join the Fire Service, both career and volunteer, and to continue to provide leadership and experience, throughout their Firefighting years. Also, to serve as a means of educating and informing the public about the important and indispensable service and protection that the Fire Service provides for the citizens of our communities, state and nation.

Connecticut State Firefighters Association Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Reverend Mark Byers

The Reverend Mark Byers, a Priest in the Episcopal denomination, at the time of his induction was serving as the Rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, in Meriden, and as a Chaplain for the Connecticut State Firefighters Association.

Additionally, beginning in 2011, he has served as the Chaplain of the Thomaston Volunteer Fire Department, where he continues in that role and is extremely active in multiple Department functions. Reverend Byers also as the Department's Mental Health and Occupational Health Care Director, spending many hours assisting their members that are undergoing difficult and stressful issues.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Mark Byers enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1985 through 1991. During that period, he spent four years as a crew member aboard several submarines.

After his honorable discharge, he attended Haverford College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He then attended Yale Divinity School, earning a Master of Divinity degree. He then worked as a nursery schoolteacher and as a church youth minister, until his ordination in 2001.

Reverend Byers also is a member of the Racial Reparations Task Force and a former member of the Standing Committee and Disciplinary Board of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.

Thomas A. Clapsadle, Jr.

Thomas Clapsadle started his Fire Service Career in the Town of Waterford, with the Goshen Fire Company, and later joined the Jordan Fire Company.

He started working at the Submarine Base Fire Department, in Groton, in 1989. He progressed through the ranks of Firefighter, Driver, Captain, Assistant Chief of Training and ultimately as the Department's 5th Chief of Department – a role that he was professionally dedicated to for 16 years. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest serving member of the Department, having served for 35 years.

In 1995, the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department asked then Submarine Base Fire Department Chief Art Flynn if his Department could provide a Firefighter Assist Search Team (FAST), when needed, within the New London County area, with the primary focus of rescuing Firefighters.

The creation of the FAST Team was assigned to Chief Clapsadle. With the help of other Sub Base Department members, extensive time was devoted to the review of case studies, the development of operating procedures and the building of lesson plans. In January of 1996, he presented this concept to the Groton Fire Officers Association, who quickly agreed to the creation of the FAST Team. Training was then undertaken at the Sub Base and in the surrounding Groton area. The FAST Company was established and responded, area-wide, out of the Sub Base Department's Station 2. They have since responded to hundreds of working fires.

Chief Clapsadle received over 45 awards for the way he operated activities within his Department and on the Fire Ground. Two of his highest awards include the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. He also served as a President of the Groton Fire Officers Association and as a member of the New London County Fire Chiefs Association.

Dr. Reginald D. Freeman

Reginald D. Freeman began his extraordinary Fire Service career in 2001 as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician with the D'Iberville Fire Department, in Mississippi.

In 2004, he was named Fire Chief/Chief of Compliance, Safety & Planning with WSI (Wackenhut Services Incorporated) Fire & Emergency Services in Baghdad, Iraq, where he served through 2008. WSI provides fire protection and other emergency response services to numerous federal government and commercial sector facilities, including multiple United States Military Bases. While there, he was the Incident Commander for several mass casualty and large-scale incidents and was also responsible for numerous, diverse management duties.

From 2009 through 2011, he served as the Fire Chief of the Department of Defense/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, in Marietta, Georgia. During his tenure there, he created numerous new departmental plans, programs and committees. Then, from 2011 on to 2013 he served his first role with the Hartford, Connecticut Fire Department, as their Assistant Fire Chief/Deputy Director of Emergency Management. During that period, he managed innumerable Departmental aspects, including but not limited to the initiation of a holistic safety program, in collaboration with the International Association of Fire Fighters/Hartford Local 760, that reviewed all injury and accident incidents involving their personnel. He also initiated excellent Fire Department relations with numerous neighborhood leaders and groups in the city.

He then served three years as Fire Chief of the Department of Defense/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas – overseeing all aspects of the Department's administration, training, fire prevention, public education, fire investigation and emergency operations. He also established many interagency programs and partnerships between the Department and Federal, State and Local Agencies.

In February of 2016, serving through May of 2021, Chief Freeman was the Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Management for the City of Hartford. Under his command, the Department continued to achieve numerous milestones. Interestingly, due to his outstanding administrative record, during his time as Hartford's Fire Chief, he also jointly held the role of the city's Interim Director of Public Works.

Chief Freeman then went on to become the Chief of the Fire Department for the City of Oakland, California, serving in that capacity until June of 2023. He was that Department's 31st Fire Chief and managed a $188 Million Dollar Annual Budget. As he had done with his other Departments, in the past, he achieved innumerable milestones including the receipt of a federal grant to provide all Department Members with a full health screening, including cancer and cardiovascular areas. They also received a grant to purchase a new fire boat, a grant to hire 35 new Firefighters and funding to procure six new pieces of Fire Apparatus.

Chief Freeman earned his Bachelors Degree from Bellevue University, in 2007; his Masters of Science Degree, in Executive Fire Service Leadership, from Grand Canyon University in 2008 and a Doctorate in Emergency & Protective Services, from Capitol Technology University in 2022. He has also achieved many national Fire Service Accreditations and Certifications and has composed multiple fire service related publication and podcast articles.

Also an educator, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Anna Marie College, in Paxton, Massachusetts; the University of Florida, in Gainesville and at Capitol Technology University, in Laurel, Maryland.

In the private sector, Reginald Freeman formed and serves as the CEO/President of The Freeman Group, LLC, speaking at events on the subjects of professional leadership and creating standards and plans to maximize emergency service team management and efficiency. Additionally, since June of 2023, he has been the Chief Risk Officer for the HAI Group, Inc. Chief Freeman has held an outstanding number of professional appointments, including but not limited to the Advisory Council to the State Public Safety Commissioner; Director of Training for the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs and Chair of the Industrial Fire & Life Safety Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

He has been a member of the IAFC's Program Planning Committee and their Executive Fire Officer Section, former Treasurer/Membership Chair of the Institution of Fire Engineers, the Area 7 Director of the California Fire Chiefs Association and has served on the Boards of Directors of the Hartford Boys and Girls Club, the Salvation Army of Hartford, the National Fire Protection Association, the Center for Public Safety Excellence, the Leadership Crucible Foundation and OWLS (Fire Service Scholar Group).

He has also been recognized with numerous awards, including but not limited to the Grand Canyon University Hall of Fame in 2019; being named, in 2018, as one of the Connecticut 100 Most Influential Blacks, by the NAACP; receiving both the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Distinguished Service Award, from Heart Bible International University; 2018's 100 Men of Color; the Top 100 Local Government Influencer Traeger Awards in 2019 and 2020 and the John B. Stewart Leadership Legacy Award in 2021.

Bernard Meehan, Jr.

Bernard "Bernie" Meehan began his outstanding Fire and Emergency Services activities as a responder with the Newtown Hook & Ladder Company, when he was 16 years old. He then rode with the Winnisquam Volunteer Fire Department, in New Hampshire, while attending college and with Fairfield's Stratfield Volunteer Fire Department, while attending Paramedic School, as a member of the first Paramedic Class at Norwalk Community College. He was later appointed to the Danbury Fire Department, where he held numerous ranks, including Deputy Chief, at the time of his Hall of Fame Induction. He has also been heavily involved with the emergency services in the Town of Roxbury, serving as a member of the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department and the town's Ambulance Association, serving as the Ambulance Chief for 20 years and as the town's Emergency Management Director.

At the Regional and State Levels, Bernie Meehan has served as the Litchfield County Fire Coordinator; as Fire Liaison Officer with the Connecticut Intelligence Center; as a Founder and Responder for the Connecticut Critical Incident Stress Management Team; was the founder of the New Milford Area Paramedic Program; as a Board Member of Trinity Mobile Healthcare of New England; as a Board Member of the Northwest Public Safety Communications Center; as a member of the Newtown Board of Health; as an Instructor of the Connecticut 911 Emergency Telecommunicator Training Program and as a Committee Chair with the Shepaug District Consolidated School Committee. He also served as a Senior Correspondent for Connecticut's 1st Responder News publication.

Chief Meehan is also a certified Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer, Hazardous Materials Technician, Emergency Telecommunications Instructor and in multiple levels within the National Incident Management System.

He holds the honor of having been named as the Honorary Chief of the Brookfield Fire Department; as a Danbury Firefighter of the Year; a recipient of Danbury Hospital's Christopher Blackwell Dedication to Service Award; the New Milford Area Heroes Program Honoree and innumerable Fire Department Unit Citation, Honorable Service, Merit and EMS Awards.

TJohn A. Plofkin, Jr.

John Plofkin was inspired to begin his outstanding Fire Service Career, as an eleven-year-old, when his father joined the Nichols Fire Department, in the Town of Trumbull.

In 1980, he was sworn in as a Probationary Junior Firefighter at the age of 16. He ultimately rose through the ranks and became their Chief of Department, from 2011 through 2013. He still serves with the Nichols Fire Department and is credited with implementing and managing innumerable administrative and leadership accomplishments. On two separate occasions, he has been the recipient of Live Saving Commendations from Nichols. In April of 1995, John Plofkin was sworn in as a Probationary Career Firefighter with the Westport Fire Department, where he was ultimately promoted to their rank of Assistant Chief/Shift Commander, retiring in 2017. Westport recognized him twice for his service to the community and on 3 occasions for outstanding performance in severe rescue situations.

In 2021, he accepted the role of serving the Wilton Fire Department as their Deputy Fire Chief and still serves in that role, at the time of his induction. There, he oversees the daily operations and training for their 27 members as well as countless administrative responsibilities.

Chief Plofkin also had very successful careers as a Sales Representative for Shipman's Fire Equipment Company and as a Manufacturer Innovator/Design Assistant for Globe Manufacturing in the design of Firefighter suits. Also, in 2015, he founded ‘Pre-Plan Promotional Prep and Training LLC'. This firm assists entry and officer level candidates in guiding them through their Fire Service Career path, in the areas of resume' writing, written and oral examinations and the understanding of various fire department disciplines.

He is an Instructor for the Fairfield Regional Fire School, where he currently holds the position of Lead Instructor for their Vehicle Extrication Programs. He has also taught at the Connecticut Fire Academy's June Fire School and Recruit Firefighter Programs. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, in Business Administration, from Eastern Connecticut State University and numerous Fire Service and Emergency Management Certifications.

Chief Plofkin is an active member of several Fire Service Organizations, including the Fairfield County Fire Chiefs Association, the Connecticut State Firefighters Irregulars Association and the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, serving as their Fairfield County Vice President and on their Firefighters Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Ad Book Committees. He is also very active in a number of community service organizations.

Charles E. Raubeson

Charles Raubeson joined the West Haven Hook & Ladder Company #1, as a Volunteer Firefighter, in October of 1954. He was hired by the West Haven Fire Department as a Career Firefighter, in May of 1957. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in July, 1966 and in May, 1971, he was promoted to Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal, a position he held until his retirement in August, 1983.

While there, he was credited with proposing the concept of starting a "Fire-Ambulance" to serve the community. He was told, by the Chief, that "he could do it if it didn't cost any money." He proceeded to convince local companies to donate a used bread delivery truck, tires and medical equipment. This began the program that ultimately became the West Haven Fire Department's Paramedic Service, which was one of the first of its kind in Connecticut, and still is in service today.

In 1979, Fire Marshal Raubeson received permission from the West Haven Board of Education to begin an educational program geared towards grammar school aged children. He then teamed up with members of the school system staff to develop that program, which is also still active.

Chief Raubeson was a founding member of the New England Association of Fire Marshals and served as their first Secretary/Treasurer. In honor of his many years of dedication to that organization, they established the Charles E. Raubeson Award. He also was a long-time member of the Connecticut State Fire Marshals Association and served on their Training Conference Committee for many years. He also diligently worked with other Fire Service Leaders to gain legislative approval to require the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in all residential buildings. occupied by elderly people, and in hotels and motels that exceeded four stories in height.

Raubeson was also a Charter Member of the International Association of Arson Investigators and was instrumental in the founding of their Connecticut Chapter, in 1985, with just 12 Charter Members – an association that currently has over 600 members.

In 1977, the Governor of the State of Connecticut appointed him to serve on the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.

Also involved with the National Fire Protection Association, he was appointed as a delegate to their 1975 Conference, in Chicago. He was the recipient of that Association's "Most Valuable Player Award".

He invented the "Side by Side" Sprinkler Burn Trailer, often sitting inside the trailer, as it burned, to show the difference between a sprinklered and non-sprinklered room.

Upon his retirement from the West Haven Fire Department, Chief Raubeson served as a Lobbyist for the sprinkler industry, for many years, advocating associated legislation throughout the country.

In 1950, he left high school, to join the U.S.Army, during the Korean War, where he served with the Second Infantry Division as a Squad Leader in a Rifle Company. He was also stationed at the Nevada Proving Ground, during the Atomic Bomb Testing. He was honorably discharged, in 1954, after having been awarded The Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Korean Presidential Citation, with four Battle Stars.

Edward B. St. John

Edward St. John is not only a legacy to the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, but also to the Town of Middlebury.

Chief St. John began his service with the Department in 1962 and quickly rose through the ranks to become Captain, in 1966, and Chief of Department in 1969. He also served time as the town's Fire Marshal and as the Department's Training Officer. His tenure of leadership was marked by innovation, growth and a steadfast commitment to public safety. Under his leadership, the Department's membership grew from 35 to 75 members, he introduced new groundbreaking equipment, such as the Jaws of Life (being the first Volunteer Fire Department, in the State of Connecticut to do so) and set numerous new training and emergency response procedures. Among his many accomplishments included spearheading the construction of the two state-of-art Fire Stations, the introduction of large diameter hose, the acquisition of several pieces of new advanced Fire Apparatus and the implementation of the requirement that all Department members achieve Emergency Medical Technician Certification. He also initiated the Department's first Carnival Fundraiser.

Chief St. John served as an Instructor at both the Wolcott Regional Fire School and the University of New Haven. He also chaired the Building Committee for the Wolcott Fire School and served on the Connecticut State Commission for Fire Service Rescue Standards. He also was a founding member of the Waterbury Area Fire Chiefs Association and served as Middlebury's Civil Defense and Emergency Management Director.

Edward St. John also served as the First Selectman of the Town of Middlebury for nearly thirty years. During his tenure, he championed the installation of over 1050 new Fire Hydrants.

Peter Towey

Peter Towey began in the fire service with the Lost Acres Fire Department. In June of 1994 he started his career with the Hartford Fire Department, where he served for 22 years and rose through the ranks retiring as Deputy Chief/Shift Commander. Throughout his tenure, he earned the deep respect of his peers and subordinates through his steady leadership, vast technical knowledge and unshakeable calm while under pressure. He was actively involved in many efforts to advance the Department, including the initial attempt to obtain accreditation, and improvements to the technical rescue capabilities of the HFD.

He served close to 10 years as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Hartford Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 760. His efforts to serve the membership through fairness, transparency and collaboration left a strong and lasting impact on the organization's role and culture. He was an active member with the UPFFA and IAFF. He is still a proud member of Local 760 and was awarded the position of Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus by the Association.

He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut. He is an active alumni of the School of Public Policy and serves as a mentor and resources to current students within the program. He is a strong advocate to education to expand your perspective and abilities. His selfless leadership style has a strong influence on those that work and interact with him.

He served as the Chief of Fire Services for the City of Torrington from 2018 to 2021. We was actively involved in the region and helped lead the City and regional response to COVID. He led the Torrington Fire Department with a collaborative approach and earned the respect of the members and the community.

He joined the New Britain Fire Department in 2021 as the Assistant Chief and currently serves a critical role in advancing the vision and mission of the NBFD. His focus on leadership and professional development is reshaping the department's operations and culture. His leadership has helped to improve accountability, safety, efficiency and morale within the department. He was crucial in the development of the New Britain Fire Recruit Academy, a foundational program that will shape and motivate the Department's new Firefighters, well into the future.

Assistant Chief Towey's influence extends well beyond the Departments that he has served. He is an Adjunct Instructor for the Connecticut Fire Academy and is dedicated to professional development within the fire service. He has assisted with many statewide committees and initiatives to advance the fire service.

Nomination Forms are encouraged and are available by clicking this link. Nominations can be submitted at any time. Traditionally, there is a cutoff date, during the month of November. Nominations are then reviewed and those selected, for induction, are notified during the following January. The annual induction dinner/ceremony is traditionally held the following April. The submitted nomination packet describes the nominee’s positions, deeds, accomplishments, awards of distinction, lengths of service and other pertinent information – including, but not limited to other worthwhile community services and recognitions.