Suffolk County Legislature Recognizes Hauppauge Fire Marshal with Excellence Award
Hauppauge, NY - February 22, 2018 - Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory was joined by Legislator Tom Cilmi in recognizing Fire Marshal II Brett Martinez of Hauppauge with the Employee Excellence Award for February during a general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature at the William H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge.
Fire Marshal Martinez, after investigating a program related to training canines for the detection of accelerants, introduced the program to Suffolk County in 1991. It became the first of its kind in Suffolk County, and Fire Marshal Martinez is now in his 26th year of handling a canine for Suffolk County Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He faithfully trains his canine partners twice a day, seven days a week. His commitment to the program has earned him the recognition of being the longest-running Accelerant Detection Canine handler in history. He has supported investigations throughout Suffolk and assisted other municipalities including Nassau County, New York City, Reno, Nevada and Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
In 2007, Fire Marshal Martinez was tasked with the mission of investigating and developing resources dedicated to urban search and rescue. He conducted national research to determine the best way to begin the project and met with local technical rescue team leaders, Fire Academy personnel, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Force personnel from FDNY/NYPD, County agencies and local volunteer departments, resulting in the formation of the Suffolk County USAR Task Force-1, which has earned accolades from agencies across the nation.
Since its inception, the team – consisting of paid and volunteer personnel – has activated for every major event in Suffolk County. The team is now supplemented by members of Plum Island Fire Department, the Air National Guard at Gabreski Airport and Brookhaven National Lab.
FRES Commissioner Joseph F. Williams said, “I am sure you can understand my enthusiasm in nominating Fire Marshal Martinez for the Suffolk County Legislature’s Employee Excellence Award.”
The Employee Excellence Award was instituted by Presiding Officer Gregory this year as a way to recognize employees who go above and beyond their duties. Nominations can be submitted to Presiding Officer Gregory’s office.