Connecticut’s governor was joined by state officials and federal leaders Friday as they commended firefighters and personnel from over 85 departments and agencies for their work battling last fall’s devastating brush fires.

“Today is all about thank yous,” Connecticut State Fire Administrator Jeff Morrissette said during Friday’s ceremony at the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Training Center in Newington.

It was an apt location for the recognition since the facility doubled as the Incident Command Post during what state leaders called a “historic response” to the fires.

Last year as a whole was one of the worst years for wildfires in the state, according to Katie Dykes, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Dykes told the crowd there were 605 wildfires that impact 510 acres. But she said the fall was really unlike anything the state had seen with over 200 brush fires from late October into November. That time frame normally has about 50, according to Dykes.

“Adding to the challenge was this period was the driest period the state had experienced in 30 years with barely a drop of rain the entire time,” Dykes said.

It was the Hawthorne Fire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin that led the governor to declare a state of emergency. The fire began on Oct. 21 and continued into November burning 127 acres.

“The response to this fire was logistically challenging, requiring a coordinated response on the ground as well as water drops from the air and round the clock management for several weeks,” Dykes stated.

The state received a FEMA grant to help pay for the cost of the massive response, which included using National Guard aviation crews. U.S. Army Major Gen. Francis Evon told the crowd they dropped more than 255,000 gallons of water from Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters.

“We are in awe of the first responders listening to the detailed meticulous amount of coordination that was necessary in order to save lives,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy during the ceremony.

Firefighters from dozens of departments across the state responded, including Wethersfield’s Robert “Sharky” Sharkevich. Sharkevich died on Oct. 22 at the age of 66 after a utility vehicle rolled over onto him while he was battling the Berlin fire. Sharkevich spent 25 years with the Hartford Fire Department and 22 years with the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department.

“Robert exemplified what it is to be a firefighter, to run into the flames, to put your life on the line for all of our safety,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. “Robert Sharkevich was a hero.”

“I had the honor and privilege to work with Rob, and it's important for the family to know and understand how deeply he is missed,” stated Morrissette. “To know him is to love him, so we will never forget.”

Sharkevich's 98-year-old mother and other loved ones were on hand for the ceremony. She visibly got emotional as Gov. Ned Lamont presented her with a flag and commendation from the state.

Sharkevich's wife and kids will be at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Maryland Sunday. His is one of 140 names will be added to the memorial this year. The governor has directed all flags to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of the service.