Written by Patricia Gay
Monday, 23 August 2010 00:00
David “Max” Burns, Jr., a career firefighter and Air Force veteran, was named the 2010 Firefighter of the Year by the Weston Volunteer Fire Department.
The honor was bestowed upon Mr. Burns at the WVFD’s annual awards night dinner.
The award is given annually by three fire chiefs and two captains to the firefighter they believe has made the most significant contribution to the fire department in the past year.
Mr. Burns serves the department in many different capacities. Along with his role as an active firefighter, he also trains and responds as one of two Weston HazMat technicians (along with Fire Capt. Terry Blake) who are members of the Mid-Fairfield County HazMat Response Team, and oversees the acquisition and deployment of the radio equipment for the fire department and EMS.
Mr. Burns is a 2002 graduate of Weston High School, a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan war, and is currently a career firefighter at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y. Last year, Mr. Burns completed EMT classes and is working towards his EMT certification.
“The Firefighter of the Year award goes to someone who has gone above and beyond their normal responsibilities. Max goes on a lot of calls, but he also has expertise in radio communications and equipment and has done a lot of work for us in that capacity,” said Fire Chief John Pokorny.
Mr. Burns grew up in Weston and still lives in town.
He started volunteering with the WVFD when he was 16, and has been a member for 10 years.
His father, David Burns, Sr., was a longtime lieutenant with the WVFD, and is still an active member. His younger brother Patrick is also a firefighter with the WVFD.
“It’s an honor to be a volunteer with the WVFD. It’s a great group of men and women and they’re fun to work with,” Mr. Burns said.
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