Chris Franz Named 2013 Mineola Firefighter of the Year

The following article was posted by Geoffrey Walter. It was written by Robert Connolly.

On Saturday, June 15 the officers and members of the Mineola Fire Department gathered together for the annual Installation of officers. Mayor Scott P. Strauss, a former chief of the department administered the oath of office for incoming Chief of Department Jeffrey Clark. Chief Clark was joined by assistant chiefs Joseph Pratt and Brian Santosus as he announced the 2013 Firefighter of the Year, ex-Captain Christopher Franz.

The Firefighter of the Year award is the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the Mineola Fire Department and recognizes an individual’s dedication and devotion to the fire service. Franz is only the second member in the department's history to receive this coveted award twice.

Franz is also celebrating 25 years of service in Truck Company No. 2. He joined the company with his good friend Jim Sherry and quickly earned a reputation as a hard worker. His leadership skills were clearly evident and his fellow firefighters would elect him to serve as Lieutenant in 1996. After four years as lieutenant, Franz went on to command his company as Captain from 2000-02.

His efforts have garnered him numerous awards including the Town of Hempstead Firematic award, the Nassau County Medal of Valor and the Southern New York Firemen’s Association Firefighter of the Year award in 1999. These awards recognized his heroic efforts in a deadly house fire where he removed two trapped occupants. It was in 2000 that the Mineola Fire Department first named him firefighter of the year. In 2007 Truck Company No. 2 named Franz as their company firefighter of the year.  

Outside the Mineola Firehouse Franz is no stranger to service. A third generation Boy Scout, he rose through the Scouts to attain the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 45. He now serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 45 and is mentoring the fourth generation of Franz family scouts. He proudly serves along with his father Don and his brother Bobby.

Franz resides in Mineola with his wife Karyn who also serves in the department's ladies auxiliary. Their family includes daughter Michaela and sons Bryan, Thomas, Jack and Stephen. When he isn’t protecting his neighbors in Mineola Franz can be found protecting the residents of Brooklyn where he serves as a Firefighter in the FDNY. 

Franz continues to diligently respond to alarms, usually riding the rigs alongside his father Honorary Captain Don Franz of Truck No. 2. Chief Clark described Chris as his “go to guy," whether its setting up for an event, crawling down a smoky hallway or just cleaning up around the firehouse, Chris Franz is always there to lend a hand.

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