WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. September 9, 2004: Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub promoted and swore in six White Plains Firefighters as Lieutenants today in a ceremony at the Public Safety Building today, declaring that he was very lucky and honored to serve with the men and women of his department.

 Dr. Straub stressed that in the Public Safety Department all "lead from the front." He expressed the confidence in the department's strong leadership, that if he himself eventually left the Public Safety Department in a year or so, he said that perhaps a firefighter might very well fill his position.

Fire Chief William Lyman said the new lieutenants give the fire department the leadership positions it needs to grow with the growing city. Mayor Joseph Delfino thanked the new lieutenants' families for their putting up with their firefighter's long hours away, and strongly expressed the feeling that the entire Public Safety Department and the city was like family.

New Lieutenants Being Sworn In Friday Afternoon: Left to Right, Len Bonnadies 
Vincent Zicca, Ian Paruda, Robert Barbella, Tony Stanford, and Scott Bogart. Photo by WPCNR News.

Commissioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub in his talk to the new Lieutenants noted that in remembering the awful day of September 11, that it is forgotten that over 25,000 persons were rescued from the Twin Towers attack, due to the courage and responsibility of police and firefighters who "were not running away from the building, but who ran into the building." Straub commended the six recruits, all of whom man the Rescue 88 Truck that is one of two 24/7 Rescue ready units in Westchester County. He commended them for sacrificing personal plans to train and get the Rescue Unit 88 operational on schedule. Photo by WPCNR News

Fire Chief William Lyman welcoming reruits and families to the occasion. Photo by WPCNR News

Mayor Joseph Delfino praised the Public Safety Department as "the best in the state," and praised the fire department efforts during the 6-inch rainfall Wednesday in White Plains where, according to the Public Safety Department the fire department pumped out approximately 30 flooded basements in the city. Photo by WPCNR News.