Retired IAFF Member Elected to Fire Commission

March 18, 2009 – For the first time, a retired member of South Fire District Local 3918 in Middletown, Connecticut, has been elected to the Fire Commission. Joe Sarcia was an active fire fighter from 1973 until 2006.

To be considered to sit on the special fire district’s commission, interested parties must submit a letter to the fire chief. Then, the taxpayers vote on who will fill each position.

“When it comes to addressing issues important to us, the only thing we ever ask is that the Fire Commission treats us fairly,” says Stephen Tyrseck, president of Local 3918. “In Joe Sarcia, we know we have someone who truly understands the challenges fire fighters confront on a daily basis and who will work to make sure our voice gets heard.”

During his campaign for commissioner, Sarcia said, “I will always look at their needs with an open mind and heart. My plan is to educate our taxpayers so that they understand how much training it takes for this job and how to make our fire stations go ‘green’ by taking advantage of geo-thermal and solar systems.”

The South Fire District has five commissioners. Each commissioner serves a five-year term.