Jumpline magazine Spring 2025 - Flipbook - Page 42
42
Distinct Honor
Todd Garofalo, Ret.
both feasible and enjoyable. He was quite
the character, and we all loved him!
I had the distinct honor of working with
Captain Bill Gustin for quite a few years,
most notably as his Chief, for over a decade at Station 2. I 昀椀rst met him as a young
lieutenant when stationed on Rescue 2 and
worked closely with him through my rise up
the chain of command. I may have become
his chief, but it was I who learned so much
from him. I had a full dose of Captain Bill
at the station, as you can imagine. Yet every year as I attended Fire Department Instructor’s Conference. It was his class that
I made sure to attend 昀椀rst. I couldn’t get
enough of him!
His commitment to the 昀椀re
service was unwavering, his
knowledge was unmatched,
and his love for his fellow 昀椀re昀椀ghters was genuine and admirable. Everyone knew that
in Bill they could always 昀椀nd
an ear or shoulder when needed. He was a 昀椀reman’s 昀椀reman
in every sense of the word.
The most incredible stories and memories of my career most
certainly involve my time spent with Bill on the job and on the
training grounds. He became a true friend and had a huge impact
on my life, both personally and as that of a company of昀椀cer. He
was truly one of a kind.
Bill loved the MDFR family, and more importantly, the community that he served. He impacted the lives of so many, through his
teaching, his work ethic, and his incredible charisma. His sense
of humor made being at the 昀椀rehouse, in a very stressful job,
Bill and I shared a friendship that extended
beyond MDFR. My children grew up visiting us at the 昀椀re station, and he was always their favorite. He became a mentor and
teacher to my son, Nick, who joined the MDFR family in 2017.
I also had the pleasure of getting to know Bill’s children. I hope
both Bill Jr. and Renee know how much he loved them and was
so very proud of them. It was evident every single time that he
talked about them at the 昀椀rehouse.
This world lost a great one. May God grant him everlasting
peace. Love you, Bill!
Nick Garofalo
learning from
Captain Gustin,
13 year old,
now an MDFR
昀椀re昀椀ghter.
Spring 2025 | JUMPLINE Magazine
