Articles and photos added during July 2009
Regular weekly Friday website updates commenced on April 1, 2011.
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July 11, 2009
It has been less than one month, and the response to this website has been very enthusiastic. The personal photos and other materials submitted by everyone have been phenomenal. Thank you!
What you have seen so far is only a small percentage of the enormous amount of additional material just waiting to be posted. It will take time, but eventually there will be lots more photos, as well as accounts of the big jobs and little stories of fire station life. I will try to add a new photo or story to the website each day or two. And I hope more of you will share your personal photos, newspaper articles, and personal recollections.
Keep those comments and suggestions coming! This site is for all of us.
DGJ
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| Engine 5 on videotape Friday, March 16, 1973
This is a brief videotape recording, made on a SONY reel-to-reel B&W video tape recorder, of Engine 5 responding out of Station 5. The sound track is lost, but the video clearly shows Station 5 before the annex was built. Tony Melillo can be seen donning his bunker coat and climbing into the driver seat of the 1952 Maxim pumper.
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Sam Jones was a pioneer |
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When Sam Jones was appointed to the Hamden Fire Department on May 8, 1961 he became the first African-American career firefighter in the Department's history. Sam's son, Ken, recently sent us this New Haven Register photo and accompanying article. "I have fond memories of the Hamden Fire Dept," Ken wrote. "I used to slide down the pole in the mid 70's and firefighters also helping my father with projects around the house. One name I remember is Gene Maturo."
Ken Jones, 43, also works as a firefighter in Eastpoint, Georgia. Sam retired in November 1990. He's doing well and now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Posted July 2009
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CLICK here to visit the official website of the Hamden Professional Firefighters, Local 2687, I.A.F.F. |
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CLICK here to check out the new HISTORICAL NOTES page. |
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| 25 Years Ago
July 19, 1984 - 10-8 became Signal 73. The Hamden Fire Department adopted new radio signals.
Following department-wide input, the old 10-codes were replaced by signals that, with some exceptions, were based on those of New Haven Fire Department. In recent years, radio codes have given way to plain English.
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Day After the Hamden Tornado Tuesday, July 11, 1989
An F4 tornado ripped through southern Hamden, leaving damages in the millions of dollars. The 1989 tornado was an incredible challenge for the department.
While tape rolled, commentary was added occasionally to establish exact locations because many areas were unrecognizable.
Posted 7/3/09
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1964 - [Old] 1st Platoon at Station 2 - L-R: Ffs. Warren Blake, Hugh McLean, Mickey Cantarella, Dep. Chief Joe Hromadka, Capt. Francis Leddy, Ff. Stan Brown, Lt. Joe McDermott, Ffs. Dave Herrmann, Ray Bantz, Jerold Bradbury, and Howie Hurlburt, Sr. (Photo courtesy of Joe McDermott) |
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1964 - Old Platoon 1 Crew of Engine 3 and Rescue 1 (at Station 2): Lt. Joe McDermott, Ff. Dave Herrmann, Ff. Ray Bantz, Ff. Jerold Bradbury and Ff. Howard Hurlburt, Sr. (Courtesy of Joe McDermott) |
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1976 - Supt. of Alarms & Apparatus Richie Lostritto |
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c. 1962 - Firefighters Paul Reutenauer and Milner Benham with three of Hamden's Finest at Brooksvale Park. |
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Hamden High School Fire Tuesday, September 24, 1996
Three separate television news accounts of the 1996 fire at the Hamden High School addition that was under construction.
Posted 7/24/09
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May 21, 1977 - Ffs. Dave Johnson, Ralph Tomaselli and Mark Pratt on patio at Station 3. |
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c. 1977 - Ffs. Carmen Amarante and jim Moore with students practicing CPR. Looks like the old volunteers' room at Station 4. |
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Repacking Hose - 1969 |
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Testing Hose - 1969 |
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Winter Operations - 1969-70 |
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Bob Slater at Station 6 - 1969 |
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Station 3 - 1969 |
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Crank 'er up! |
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2000 Reunion |
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2009 Reunion |
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