Submitted Article
OSWEGO, NY – The Oswego Fire Department announces the retirement of Firefighter Michael Knight.
Knight is a 23-year member of the department, hired on July 22, 1985.
The 48-year-old was active in a variety of department activities including being an EMT, diver, rescue boat driver, and a member of the fire prevention, fire related youth, fire investigation teams.
Firefighter Knight took a wide variety of training classes during his tenure including high angle rescue as well as swift water rescue.
His last assignment was driver of Engine 1812, “B” shift at the Westside Fire Station.
Firefighter Knight followed his dad into the fire service as well as to the Oswego Fire Department.
His dad, the late retired 1st Assistant Chief Burt J. Knight, was a 39-year veteran of the Oswego Fire Department, retiring in 1987.
In fact, father and son spent six months on the job together.
Knight also has a brother in the fire service, Lt. Thomas Knight of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department.
His other family includes his mother, Edith; wife, Kenda Caruso Knight; children: Dustin, Casey, and Kristin; brother, Burt Jr.; and sister, Kathleen Palmer.
Fire Chief Joseph Perry commented on the retirement of Firefighter Knight, “There is no doubt of the dedication of Firefighter Knight to the fire service and our department. The wide variety of classes he took and special teams he participated in are evidence of this. Of all of these specialties his work with the Fire Prevention Team stands out the most. His steady involvement with the OFD puppet shows throughout the schools of the city was exceptional. We will never know the number of fires that were prevented by this work, but seeing the attention given by the young audience is a testament to this. Having worked with Mike’s dad and then with Mike is something that does not happen that often, but is very rewarding. Firefighter Knight will be missed as he was someone we could always count on.”
First Assistant Chief Jeffrey McCrobie also commented on the retirement.
“I went to St. Paul’s School with Mikey, as we called him. We both began on the fire department the same day, and I have pretty much known him and his family my entire life,” he said. “He will be truly missed by the entire fire department, and I sure hope he stops by to see us.”
