Paul Bass Photo
Lequane Gormany was up with the sun Tuesday, and soaking it in at the Fountain Street firehouse.
Gormany, a firefighter stationed there, swept the two-story station’s downstairs and changed the hose on Engine 15. Then he stepped outside to call his daughter Kania and wish her a happy 20th birthday.
“The word on the street is beautiful weather, and love. It’s a beautiful day,” Gormany said during a conversation on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program. He reassured his no-longer-baby girl that he hadn’t forgotten to buy her present, a pair of sneakers she’d been hoping for.
He still needed his NHFD knit cap. But no heavy coat. No scrunching against the morning cold. Spring was in the air, and in Gormany’s step.
Gormany, who’s 42, became a firefighter six years ago after working a series of city traffic and parking jobs: writing tickets (“I’m sorry if I gave you a ticket! I was just doing my job!”), collecting quarters from meters (as he’s pictured doing here in 2010), erecting new street signs. He loved working with his colleagues there, he said.
He applied to become a firefighter as a “better opportunity for me and my family. And I accepted it. God blessed me.”
He has been stationed at Fountain Street for the past 10 months, working the customary three days on 10 hours, three days off, three 14-hour overnights. He said he especially likes the camaraderie on overnights, the Friday night pizza dinners ordered in from Ernie’s, grilling dinner outside on Saturdays, all with the understanding that a call can come in any time and sometimes the pies or steaks will get cold before being eaten. (Which does happen with regularity. “It’s a busy city.”)
The day Gormany will never forget as a firefighter? Graduation at Career High.
“I was walking across the stage getting pinned, and my son just yelled out my name: ‘Good job, daddy!’” Which led to an auditorium full of oohs and aahs.
Tuesday was the third of the three-morning cycle shifts. Gormany was looking forward to the three days off.
His plans: “Basketball with my son. [We play] all the time. We play in our driveway. He plays AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] basketball.”
A former guard himself on the Eli Whitney high school team, Gormany just put cones in the driveway court to practice drills with son Aiden.
“Get back on defense. Because they coming back at you. You score, get back on defense. You don’t showboat. Just play the game the right way.”
Click on the video to watch the full interview with firefighter Lequane Gormany on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program. Click here to subscribe to WNHH FM’s“LoveBabz LoveTalk” and here to subscribe to other WNHH programs.
Click here and see below for previous“Word on the Street” episodes and write-ups.
Word On Winthrop:“It’s A Ford”
Texan Teacher Kvells
Word On Whalley: Justice Rides
Word On Nicoll Street: Big Picture Comes In Focus
Word On Kensington Street: Paintbrushes Pass Down
The Word On Maple Street: STEM?‘Snow Sweat
Word On Crown Street:“Warehouse Guy” Hops In The Truck
Word On The Street: Ashes Mark New Life Chapter
The Word On County Street: Greg Weighs His Next Move
Surprise Drop-Off Turns Bottle Man East
Word On Boulevard: Love’s On The Menu
Old-School Chainsaw Comes Through
During Dwight Detour, Dominique Discovers Eden
Dreams Flagged on Ellsworth
Word On The Street: ICU Crew Lands At Bella’s
Pizzeria Raises Dough For Turkish Earthquake Victims
Word On Springside: Hot Pile, Cooler Planet
Park Trees Preserved
Word On Winthrop: Mom/Daughter TCBs
Word On Whalley: Wings Rise; Neon Fades
Word On Beers Street: That’s The Drill
Word On The Street: Sisterhood Is Wow-erful
Word On The Street: 1st Step Taken
Word On The Street: New Loos Arrive
Word On The Street: Kash Starts Fresh
Word On The Street: The Gig Cycle Spins
Word On The Street: Dumped Trash Disappears
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street:“Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her“Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street:“Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone
Homeless, & Working Exit 5
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor“Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless
“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand:“Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path »Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street:“Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots
Yes, Engine 15 was very busy indeed. I thought of her and her crew as my neighbor, a little noisy but a very good neighbor. The few times I needed to call 911, I knew Engine 15 would appear in front of my apartment, hardly needing to use the siren. Once when I had a severe asthma attack & could hardly speak I just walked over & they knew exactly the help I needed, getting AMR there within 5 minutes.