West Sayville Youth is Firefighter of the Year

West Sayville resident Blake Passaro is this year's fire department "Firefighter of the Year."

Passaro has been a junior fireman with the West Sayville Fire Department for just over two years, joining the organization the moment he was eligible--on his eighth birthday in November, 2010.

Passaro is part of the WSFD racing team, the Junior Flying Dutchman, and is very involved with the Relay for Life organization through the fire department. Last year he raised over $1,500 for his team. He is always there to help a fellow member or other person in the community, said his mom, Melissa Bartell.

Passaro’s great-grandfather William Boyd has served in the Hickville Fire Department for over 65 years and is very proud of his great-grandson for keeping the family's legacy of department service going strong.