The following letters and articles are sent in by various people, organizations, and Community agencies, giving their thanks and support to members of the
Rochester Fire Department.

October 1, 2008

The City of Rochester's Employee Recognition Review Committee and the Mayor, annually recognizes it's employees for exemplary service during its Annual Awards Dinner.

This award recognizes teams of employees who have demonstrated performance that exceeds the requirements of their day duties or assignments. This includes teams that have advanced the goals of the City and its departments.

James Hartman	Scott Boyce	Michael Chilano	Lisa Coia

This year, four members of the Fire Department received the Team Public Service award. Lieutenant James Hartman and Firefighters Scott Boyce, Michael Chilano and Lisa Coia were awarded for their actions at the Genesee River Rescue.  These firefighters found a man struggling in the water, going under several times. With minimal protective equipment they took quick action to bring the man to safety.

August 7, 2008

Latino firefighter moves up the ladder
Enid Arbelo • ConXion editor •

Felipe Hernandez Jr. grew up in New York City, in a neighborhood plagued by drug and gang violence. But he found a way out, landing in suburban Rochester. Here he created a new life, volunteering at a local fire department and instantly falling in love with the career.

With direction and drive, Hernandez has gone from dispatching calls to making history this summer as the first Latino to reach the rank of lieutenant on the Rochester Fire Department.

"It was something I had been working hard at, and it's nice to see that work pay off," Hernandez said.

In his new role, Hernandez was promoted to work at the training academy, where he will help aspiring recruits do what he did: Fulfill their dreams of becoming firefighters.

Catching the bug

His future wasn't always so clear. Hernandez, now 33, was born in Washington Heights. At that time, the northern Manhattan neighborhood was struggling in the midst of a drug war, like many other metropolitan neighborhoods, said Luis Hernandez, Felipe's older brother and a former New York City police officer and retired Rochester police officer.

"We were raised in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Manhattan. I basically grew up hearing gunfire," Luis remembered.

When Luis was 15 years old, he was robbed at gunpoint. It left a lasting impression. So too did the power of law enforcement.

"I used to take the subway everywhere, and I remembered how safe I felt when I saw a transit cop on the subway. That's when I knew I wanted to make people feel that way," he said.

He did just that, becoming a New York City police officer at the age of 20.

"I was always overprotective of my little brother," he said. "I had no fear of him going to the dark side, I just wanted better opportunities for him."

So when Luis moved to Rochester in 1992 to work as a Rochester police officer he quickly sent for his brother. Their parents obliged, hoping that suburban Rochester would be a safer place for their youngest son.

As a teenager new to the area, Felipe was bored with suburban life after moving from the big city to Greece. So on the urging of his big brother, Felipe began volunteering at the Greece Ridge Fire Department, a career that had always interested him.

"I just basically fell in love with it," Hernandez said. He volunteered for about two years, and a few years later he was hired as a dispatcher. In the meantime, Hernandez pursued an associate's degree in fire protection technology at Monroe Community College.

"That's when the bug hit him," Luis said. "Phil was always there and they really took a liking to him because he was really dedicated."

A natural leader

In 1997 he started his career as a firefighter at the North Greece Fire Department. About three years later he joined the Rochester Fire Department, where he spent eight years on North Clinton Avenue, at Quint 6 Fire Company, one of the city's busiest companies. In June, he transitioned to work at the training academy. Since Hernandez had also been teaching as a state fire instructor for the past three years, he was an obvious choice for the job.

While he says he'll miss the firehouse and the rush of a call, he's honored to be part of such an important part of the department.

"Ultimately I love the hands-on portion of it," he said. "But now it's to the next step."

On a recent visit to the training facility on Scottsville Road, Hernandez and Captain James Ryan were working with three new fire fighters. In the 90-degree heat, Hernandez and Ryan helped the group with ladder exercises and roof ventilation.

"It's weird to be on the other side," Hernandez said. "I can still remember when I was over here getting yelled out."

Hernandez shared anecdotes of his days on the job and answered questions with a comforting patience. His quiet demeanor, though, isn't typical of all fire fighters.

Tom Sonny Grenga, a retired fire fighter with the North Greece Fire Department, admits that fire fighters get a bad reputation for being boisterous, but Hernandez never had to overpower others to be heard. People gravitated toward him because of his unpretentious attitude, and that, Grenga said, makes him a good teacher.

"I guess that's what you would call a natural leader," he said. "I'm not sugar-coating this. The city is very fortunate to get him."

Learning the ropes

Grenga was paired with Hernandez when he first joined the department. The chief thought Grenga, a senior man at the house, could help the young fire fighter learn the ropes. For the next four months, Grenga taught Hernandez the ins and outs of the job. Hernandez was young, but he was eager, Grenga remembered. If he felt like he was proficient in certain areas, he would seek out extra training.

"He went out of his way to get better. He didn't just become adequate, he became exceptional," Grenga said. "That's what made him what he is today."

Grenga and Hernandez worked together for about three years, but like many of the men Hernandez has worked with, Grenga says they've become more than colleagues.

"He's low-key, but the guys love going out with him," Grenga said. "I came to think of him almost like a son I never had."

Today, Hernandez continues to educate himself. He's pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration and management at The College at Brockport, State University of New York and should be done next year.

"I'm very goal-oriented and I look forward to challenging myself, and this is the next challenge," he said.

And, many agree, he'll keep meeting these challenges: "I think that with his drive and his dedication that he will be the first Latino chief on the fire department," Luis said.