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04/21/2011 12:00 AMDeputy Chief Frank Gersz has been with the North Haven Fire Department for 40 years, but soon a local institution will be literally riding into the sunset.
"Myrtle Beach," he says, explaining his pending move to South Carolina.
Frank retires on April 29.
"Fifteen days, but who's counting?" Frank jokes during an interview.
"After 40 years in firefighting, you think you've seen everything, but you just don't," says Frank, looking back. "I've seen the best and the worst. Usually, you see people at their worst-their house is burning, a loved one is hurt or dying-and you're there to help."
A fellow firefighter coined a phrase for fires, which stuck with Frank.
"He used to call them 'brain-burners,'" Frank recalls, "and it's true. Some of the things just burn into your head and you can't forget."
Frank was born and raised in New Haven, then moved to North Haven at 13. He and his wife Pam were married 38 years ago. His daughter Allison is 30 and doing something important this summer.
"She's getting married," says Frank proudly, adding (with some irony), "My daughter met a really great guy-from Myrtle Beach!"
Frank's son Chris, 25, followed his dad into heavy shoes: he's a Meriden City firefighter.
"I knew Chris was going to do it-as a kid, he kept pulling his toy fire truck up to my daughter's doll house and extending the ladder," Frank laughs.
Frank likens his relationship with fellow firefighters to brotherhood.
"I don't even refer to them as co-workers; I consider them my other family," he says.
And like family, "They love to give you advice," he stresses with a grin.
A lifetime career doesn't pass without emotion.
"Forty years here was truly an experience," Frank says. "You go on calls and save somebody's life, then you see them later walking down the street. It's really rewarding."
Franks has acute memories of such experiences. While a firefighter assigned to the emergency unit several years back, Frank responded to a "man down" call for a business owner in town.
"We went and did CPR and…we brought him back," Frank remembers.
Several years later, the Fire Department produced an ad book to generate revenue. That same business owner bought an ad in the book.
"He wrote a little one-liner: 'Thanks for being there,'" Frank proudly relates. "You know someone is alive because of the action you took."
Becoming deputy chief for Frank was a combination of his long, steady tenure and forging ahead with additional training and education.
"I've got the chief to thank; he's a great guy to work for and he's taught me a lot," he says of Chief Vincent Landisio.
"The people that work for this town are a great group," Frank adds.
As deputy fire chief/marshal, Frank's responsibilities are varied.
"I do a lot of work with the building department and public works," he says.
The work includes reviewing blueprints, sprinkler and alarm systems, exits, lighting, and ensuring all conform to code.
"It's all to make the public safe," Frank summarizes.
In addition to his professional duties, Frank was active in his children's activities. He was a member of the PTA, a Boy Scout troop leader, as well as a connection for students to get behind the scenes.
"I brought the kids to Sikorsky [airport] to see how helicopters were made," Frank recalls.
Retirement isn't going to come without a hitch for Frank, though.
"After 40 years of putting on a uniform and going to work, I won't be doing it anymore," he says. "But there'll be a spot in my heart for it every time I hear an engine go by.
"This pager clipped to my belt is going to be missed the least," Franks jokes. "My wife won't miss me getting calls at two o'clock in the morning."
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