Pictured is Chief Thomas Stone, Capt. Alvin Perez, Capt. Steve Gallodoro, Capt. Michael Binder, Deputy Chief Glenn Ellis III, Councilmen Monty Montelongo and Nathan Gorbaty; Parish President Dave Peralta, Deputy Chief Edward Appel, Councilmen George Cavignac, Richie Lewis, Casey Hunnicutt, Guy McInnis, and Ray Lauga.

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Three retiring St. Bernard Parish Firefighters were honored at the October 2 council meeting for their decades of service and dedication to the parish.

Chief Thomas Stone described all three men as “excellent firefighters and excellent officers.”

“I am sad for the fire department and parish residents that were are losing such dedicated and experienced employees,” said Stone.

“It hasn’t really kicked in yet, my last shift was today,” said Captain Michael Binder before the council meeting. Binder has been with SBFD for 17 years and was described by Stone as one of the department’s best computer gurus.

As far as advice to some of the younger firefighters Binder says to “hang in there, because it goes by quick”.

Captain Alvin Perez, a 33-year veteran of the St. Bernard Fire Department was also honored at the October 2 meeting for his recent retirement. Perez was describe by Stone as “one of the most experienced rescue captains in the fire department.”

“It’s been a great ride, but its time to get off,” said Perez. Since he officially retired in April, Perez has had more time for post-work life to set in than his colleague, but says he still stops to help whenever he sees a fire truck out on a call.

In his years with the fire department, Perez said he has learned to depend on and respect your co-workers.

“Advice I would give to the younger generation is to depend on the people you work with because that’s your lifeline,” he said.

After a career spanning over four decades, Captain Steve Gallodoro hung up the badge in July. Gallodoro has over 40 years of fire communications, training and prevention experience. He worked with the New Orleans Fire Department for 18 years and retired after an injury, but couldn’t stay away from the job for long. Gallodoro signed on with SBFD soon after retiring from New Orleans, where he served for 23 years.

“I went on at 19 years old in New Orleans and have done just about everything and enjoyed it all,” Gallodoro explained. “It’s been an adventure.”

“I want to thank the St. Bernard Parish Government and all the firefighters, they’ve been like brothers to me,” affirmed Gallodoro.