 |
| CLICK here for daily flag status |
|
|
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019
Website is updated every Friday - Important interim updates will be posted when necessary
Next regular update is Friday, June 7th.
|
 |
| CLICK to monitor HFD radio |
|
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
ANNOUNCEMENT
June 16, 2019 will mark the 10th anniversary of this website. After ten years of editing this website, I will be ending the weekly Home page updates on Friday, June 28th.
The site will remain active, just the way it was when it started in 2009, with periodic announcements, special features, and the occasional commemoration of a significant fire, emergency, or department event. And, of course, the archives will continue to grow and be available to our members and subscribers. D.G.J.
386 Weekly Updates - 4 to go!
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
(HARTFORD, CT - June 1) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that – in accordance with a presidential proclamation directing flags to be lowered throughout the country in remembrance of the victims of the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia – U.S. and state flags in Connecticut will fly at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.
Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time.
Please keep the Virginia Beach victims, their families and loved ones, and the first responders in your thoughts and prayers.
Posted 6/2/19
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
Memorial Day 2019
Weatherwise, it was a perfect day for a parade. The fire department marching unit had approximately 30 participants, including a half-dozen retirees. This still image from a video taken by Bob Mordecai (CLICK HERE) shows the marching unit as it was passing the reviewing stand at Evergreen and Dixwell Avenues. The parade continued on until it reached Old Dixwell Avenue, where it disbanded (see photo below).
CLICK HERE to watch the video!
|
 |
| Still from a video by Bob Mordecai - CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
 |
| Photo by Bob Mordecai - CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
Although videos of the parade came out just fine, due to an exposure snafu, this was just about the only Memorial Day Parade photo that came out okay. The fire department marching unit has just dispersed where Dixwell and Old Dixwell converge, and everyone is either on the way back to the station, or on the way home.
This is the exact location where the Memorial Day parades of the early 1950s began and ended. The units would step off on Old Dixwell Avenue, head north on Whitney Avenue, then south on Washington Avenue, where they would pause in front of the cemetery to acknowledge the fallen. Then they would continue down Washington Avenue to Dixwell Avenue, returning to Old Dixwell Avenue, where they would disperse.
The 1949 Memorial Day Parade photo below shows the HFD marching unit stepping off on Old Dixwell Avenue. The yellow arrow shows where Old Dixwell meets Evergreen Avenue.
Posted 5/31/2019
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE - The yellow arrow denotes where OId Dixwell meets Evergreen. |
|
|
Memorial Day 1949 - Old Dixwell Avenue
Honor Guard: Firefighters Art Smith (left), Sal "Cookie" Ferraro, Unidentified (holding the banner), and Al Ramelli. Right behind the unidentified banner bearer is Chief Raymond C. Spencer (partially obscured in white dress cap). Immediately behind Ff. Ramelli is Capt. Al Purce. In the first row behind Capt. Purce are Ken Harrington (2nd from left) and Frank Eitler.
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
Ff. Shields Says "G'bye"
Platoon 3 gave a grand send-off to 22-year veteran Firefighter Kevin Shields Thursday afternoon, as the entire shift along with lots of off-duty and retired personnel rotated in and out of Station 3 to wish him well on his last day on the job.
All photos may be enlarged by clicking on the images.
|
 |
| Kevin displays this gift from Platoon 3 commemorating his 22 years on the job. |
|
|
 |
| HFRA President Bobby Mordecai presents Kevin with his 2019 Membership Card |
|
During the 2 p.m. "coffee-and-cake" gathering arranged by Platoon 3 shift commander Batt. Chief Rich Otlowski, Kevin was presented with a beautiful plaque commemorating his 22 years of career service in the Hamden Fire Department. HFRA President Bob Mordecai also presented Shields with his 2019 HFRA membership card.
Firefighter Shields came on the job in September 1997, having served nearly ten years previously as a Board of Education employee with the town. He began his fire srvice career at Dunbar Hill Co. 8 in the early 1980s.
Next month, Kevin, who holds State of Connecticut certifications in Fire Inspection and Investigation, will continue his fire service career as a part-time fire inspector with the City of Shelton.
The members of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association thank Firefighter Shields for his service to the department and wish him many happy and healthy years ahead.
|
 |
| Retirees Dave Strawhince (left) and Chickie Manware bookended orator Shields, who thanked all present for being there and for "the best job in the World." |
|
|
 |
| Retirees Jeanine Aceto and Sam DeBurra |
|
|
 |
| Kevin and the Chief |
|
|
 |
| Captains Greg Bannon (left) and Jeff Naples. This was Firefighter Shields' last day, but it was Capt. Naples' first official day as captain at 3's on Platoon 3. |
|
|
 |
| Just a sampler of the gathering, which changed as companies from all over town moved in and out of Station 3. |
|
|
 |
| HFRA's newest member, flanked by fellow retirees Williams, Mordecai, Connolly, Johnson, and Manware (Photo by B/C John Spencer) |
|
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
Captain Naples Sworn In
(Photos by Bob Mordecai)
Dozens of fellow active and retired firefighters, family, and friends assembled last Wednesday in the Memorial Town Hall rotunda to witness and celebrate the swearing-in of Jeff Naples as the department's newest captain. Hamden Town Clerk Vera Morrison did the honors following remarks by Chief Gary Merwede.
Capt. Naples came on the job in February 2006 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2013. He fills the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Capt. Hugh O'Callaghan, who is now the Assistant Chief of the West Hartford Fire Department. Capt. Naples will be assigned to Station 3 on Platoon 3.
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
Capt. Naples, Town Clerk Vera Morrison, Chief Gary Merwede, and Asst. Chief Charles Lubowicki
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
Newly sworn-in Captain Jeff Naples is flanked by Chief Gary Merwede (left) and Asst. Chief Charles Lubowicki.
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
Hugh O'Callaghan (right) retired in March to accept appointment as Assistant Chief of the West Hartford Fire Department. Capt. Naples filled his vacancy on the HFD.
| Capt. Naples' grandfather, Peter Piscatelli, was among his many family members at his swearing-in ceremony in Memorial Town Hall.
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
Left to right: Dennis Piscatelli (uncle), Peter Piscatelli (grandfather), Lisa Greco (sister) holding her son Grant; Carissa & Capt. Naples with their sons Anthony, Angelo & Marcello; and Naples' parents, Karen and Richard Naples.
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
With their young cousin Grant Greco at the wheel of Squad 1, Capt. Naples' sons Angelo, Anthony, and Marcello are ready to roll.
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
Whiting Street
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Unattended Charcoal Grill Ignites Deck
|
On Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 3:01 p.m., the Hamden Fire Department was dispatched to a fire at 58-60 Whiting Drive Drive. Engine 2 arrived on scene at 3:04 and reported smoke coming from the rear of the home. The crew stretched a hose line to the back of the home and encountered a second floor porch fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and declared under control by Battalion Chief John Spencer shortly thereafter. Overhaul was performed to check for any fire extension.
It was determined that the fire was caused by a small, unattended charcoal grill. The occupant of the second floor stated that she had lit the grill and then went back inside her apartment. Upon returning she discovered that the fire had grown and spread to the outside decking.
The Hamden Fire Department would like to remind all residents to never leave a grill unattended while cooking. Outdoor cooking devices should always be kept a minimum of ten feet away from the home and any overhangs. Grills should never be used on a porch, deck, or balcony.
Responding Companies: Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 5, Rescue 2, Squad 1, Tower 1, Car 1, Car 2, Car 3, Car 5, Car 7, and Car 8.
Posted 5/31/2019
Website thanks to Marshal Brian Dolan for this article.
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
Stovetop Fire
2964 State Street
Thursday, May 30, 2019
|
On Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 6:17 PM, the Hamden Fire Department was dispatched to a fire at 2964 State Street. Engine 3 arrived first to find smoke emitting from the front door. Firefighters encountered a stovetop fire in the kitchen area, which they were able to put out with an extinguisher. Fire damage was limited to the kitchen area but there was partial smoke damage throughout the first floor of the two-story home.
The fire started in a cooking pot with oil in it. The resident had stepped out of the kitchen for a minute. Upon returning, she found that the oil had boiled over and ignited. She attempted to remove the pot and apply water to it, which led to further fire spread.
The Hamden Fire Department advises that residents stay in the kitchen while they are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire on the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. If you cannot safely extinguish the fire call 911 and exit the home immediately.
Posted 5/31/2019
Website thanks to Marshal Brian Dolan for this article.
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
50 Years Ago
O'Connell's Lawn Mower Shop
923 Dixwell Avenue
Monday, June 2, 1969
|
 |
| From The New Haven Register, Monday, June 2, 1969 (Articles courtesy of Chan Brainard) |
|
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
A treat for Hamden aficionados
This 1938 aerial photo of Whitney Avenue was taken from the North Haven side, looking southwest. Spring Glen School on the west side of Whitney Avenue in the lower left quadrant. Hamden High School is seen in its pre-parkway setting, just to the right in the center of the photo, with the Peters' orchards just north of the three year old building.
Skiff Street is a barely two-land thoroughfare, with the bridge over Mill River the most significant landmark. The little village found in the Skiff and Whitney neighborhood was once known as "Augerville." Augerville Schoolhouse No. 6, which closed in the late 19-teens, was located on the north side Skiff Street between Whitney Avenue and Mill River. The building is visible in this photo.
Everything east of Whitney Avenue in lower part the photo, of course, is North Haven. Whitney Avenue separates the two towns from the Mill River on the north end to Short Hill Road on the south end.
|
 |
| 1938 Aerial view of Whitney Avenue in northern Spring Glen, also Dixwell Avenue and Augerville (courtesy of the Hamden Historical Society) - CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
NEVER FORGET!
We will always remember our brother firefighters who made the supreme sacrifice, and the thousands of other innocent victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Always keep them, their families and the FDNY in your thoughts and prayers.
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
