Lost Acres FD Promotes Officers

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LAFD promotes 4 officers

By Tim Weber

On September 24, the Lost Acres Fire Department held a formal pinning ceremony to celebrate the promotion of four officers. Jason Cooke and Sean Yucha were promoted to the rank of captain. Erik Davis and Paul Cote were promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Chief John Horr, Jr. presided over the ceremony.  He thanked everyone for attending and the LAFD Women’s Auxiliary for the refreshments they provided. Chief Horr introduced each officer and presented him with his new badge, which was pinned on by a family member.

Cooke joined the LAFD as a waiting list member in 2001 and attained his Firefighter I certification in the same year. He has been an engineer on several of the LAFD trucks, the last being LA-3 at the Center Station. Cooke’s talents have helped the LAFD to maintain its equipment and trucks in a state of constant readiness. Jason most recently was lieutenant of the North Granby station where he consistently proved his leadership abilities. Jason is also a second generation firefighter; his grandfather was a member of the LAFD during the 60’s.

Yucha joined the LAFD in 2004 and became a full member, completing his Firefighter 1 in 2005. He most recently served as the lieutenant of the Center Station, taking that position in 2007. Yucha has been an active participant, and one of the first adult advisors, in the new LAFD cadet program started last year.

Davis joined the LAFD in 1989, attaining his Firefighter I and full membership in 1990. He has held positions of increasing responsibility as chief engineer and as a line officer, reaching the rank of deputy chief in 2011. He stepped down as an officer in 2013, but continued to be an active member of the department in both fire call attendance (one of the top 6 in 2013) and as the engineer on LA-2. He also assisted with other maintenance tasks on several other engines. He is a third generation firefighter; his father Ken has over 39 years of service with the LAFD.

Cote has been a firefighter for the past 38 years in departments in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He joined the LAFD in 1999 and became a full member in 2000. Cote’s experience and background have been put to great use not only in firefighting but on truck committees for the two newest pumpers, LA-4 and LA-3, and for LA-6, the LAFD’s most recent tanker housed at the Center Station.  Cote has been elected to the membership committee for the past two years and was appointed purchasing agent last year.

After all officers received their new badges, LAFD President Dave Demchak administered the oath of office. These new officers join Chief Horr and the rest of the LAFD officers – Assistant Chief David Sprafke, Deputy Chief William Lee, Deputy Chief Tim Weber, Captain Bill George and Lieutenant Steve Galuska – as they lead the LAFD.

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LAFD Officers taking the oath of office (from l.): Lieutenant Erik Davis, Captain Jason ooke, Captain Sean Yucha, Lieutenant Paul Cote and LAFD President Dave Demchak. Photo by Chris Gordon

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LAFD’s officers (from l.), front: Assistant Chief David Sprafke, Chief John Horr, Jr, Deputy Chief Tim Weber, Deputy Chief William Lee; back: Lieutenant Steve Galuska, Captain Sean Yucha, Captain Jason Cooke, Lieutenant Paul Cote, Lieutenant Erik Davis and Captain Bill George. Photo by Chris Gordon