At 75 years of age, firefighter Lawrence Bertram is no longer required to respond to any calls, yet he currently has close to 100 percent response. And he does not just show up, according to Chief Lawrence Tamney of the Westbury Fire Department, but drives the ambulance, drags the hose, and helps out wherever help is needed. When the department is fighting a large fire, Bertram makes sure that all the firefighters have enough food and coffee to keep them going strong.

The Westbury Fire Department showed their appreciation to Bertram by naming him Firefighter of the Year at the Annual Installation Dinner held May 5 at the Chateau Briand in Westbury. Bertram has been a member of the department for over 48 years. He is a former captain of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, and currently serves on the department's Fire Prevention and Fund Drive Committees. During 1999, Bertram responded to 672 alarms, more than any other member of the department.

"We are so glad to give this award to Firefighter Bertram," said Chief Tamney. "He really deserves it. He is a one-of-a-kind type of person who does what he has to do and helps us all out, not because he is looking to be a hero, but because that is just the type of guy he is."

At the ceremonies, the department officers for the year 2000 were sworn in. Sworn in as chief was Lawrence Tamney; Richard Dellacona and Joseph Pascarella were sworn in as first assistant chief and second assistant chief, respectively.