Former Riverhead Fire Department Captain Ray Atkins joined the ranks of service members for 50 years this month and was honored with a dinner and ceremony last night at the service’s headquarters, hosted by Reliable Hose & Engine Company No. 1.
Atkins, 74, has been a member of the Reliable since joining the department on June 23, 1972. Like many volunteer firefighters, Atkins followed in the footsteps of his father, Crawford Atkins.
The seasoned firefighter has held many positions with the department and fire association over the years, including captain and first mate of Reliable Hose and Engine Company No. 1. He served for more than 12 years as Sergeant-at-Arms of the Riverhead Firefighters. Association, and was also the first vice-president of the association. He was a member of the Riverhead Fire Department’s Ironmen racing team from 1972 to 1985.
Atkins was celebrated last night by Riverhead Fire District Commissioners, Riverhead Fire Department Chiefs, Reliable Hose and Engine Company, Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Association, County Legislator Al Krupski and Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar.
“It’s an inspiration to see someone be so dedicated for so long,” Krupski said as he presented a proclamation to Atkins. “Everyone in the community appreciates everything the fire department does. You are trained and ready to protect us all the time,” the lawmaker said.
Aguiar praised Atkins, noting that “after 50 you’re still smiling,” which she said “says something about yourself, your personality.” The supervisor presented him with a Riverhead Town pin.
Fellow firefighters shared memories of Atkins’ years of service, peppered with good-natured teasing.
“You are the only firefighters in departmental history – possibly on Long Island – to drive a broom truck into the bay during Super Hurricane Sandy,” relied Capt. Bill Sprotson told Atkins.
Reliable officers presented Atkins with a banner bearing his name and “50 years strong” and a picture of the disabled sweeper truck, drawing shouts from his fellow firefighters at the dinner.
Another giveaway that delighted the crowd was a pair of very short denim shorts – which Sprotson said resembled the ‘Daisy Dukes’ that Atkins is wearing in a photo taken ‘back in the day’ – a photo that is catching on in a Power Point presentation at the annual firefighter refresher course.
Firefighters presented Atkins’ wife, Donna, with a bouquet of red roses to thank her for enduring the unpredictable life of a volunteer firefighter’s wife — or, as Sprotson jokingly put it, “45 years supporting Ray”.
When it came time for Atkins to make some remarks, Atkins, characteristically, was a man of few words.
“All the young guys now you’re not doing anything wrong compared to what me and my buddies did,” Atkins told the room. “We were hellish,” he said.
“I enjoyed my 50s. I don’t think I’m going to make another 50,” deadpan Atkins.
“You just have to reach my 50th birthday,” joked chef Joe Hartmann, who said he still has 21 years to go to reach that milestone.
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