| Hamden Fire Retirees' Association |
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This year marks the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. On Memorial Day 2010, it is especially fitting to remember those Hamden firefighters who served in the U.S. military during World War II. For well over a generation, they represented the majority of the personnel who served on the Hamden Fire Department.
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| More than half of our brothers in this 1950 photo served during World War II. Most of us retirees knew them and worked with them. |
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Hamden has the highest concentration
of World War II vets in the state!
Help Send a WWII Vet to D.C.
American Warriors Spaghetti Dinner
$10 per person
THIS AFTERNOON!
Sunday, August 1 - 4-7 p.m.
at the Hamden Elks Hall
175 School Street
To benefit the American Warriors
to send local WWII veterans to Washington D.C.
to visit the World War II Memorial
Sponsored by
2nd Company Governor's Foot Guard
Hamden Elks
American Legion Post 88
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Hamden Civil Defense in 1960
Future Fire Chief Concerned About Public Apathy
The article below, published in the New Haven Journal-Courier, Thursday, August 4, 1960, provided an interesting and somewhat scary Cold War snapshot of the local plans to address civil defense and public safety following an nuclear attack.
Batt. Chief V. Paul Leddy, Hamden Civil Defense Director, candidly expressed his own concern for what he saw as public apathy - a concern that some may see as having changed little in 50 years.
Posted 8/4/10
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| New Haven Journal-Courier, Thursday, August 4, 1960 (Donated by G. Donald Steele) |
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| HFRA Chairman Mark Barletta presents BC Dave Strawhince with his HFRA membership card |
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Dave Strawhince Retires After 32 Years
August 30 - Many present and former colleagues gathered at Station 3 this evening to wish Battalion Chief Dave Strawhince well on the final night of his 32-year career with the Hamden Fire Department. On behalf of the members of Platoon 4, Capt. Ron Desroches presented Dave with a plaque and a group picture of his shift. After being congratulated on his milestone by several retirees, Dave was enlisted as the HFRA's newest member.
Dave joined the department September of 1978. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1984, captain in 1998, and battalion chief in 2005.
Dave and his wife Molly will soon relocate to Anthem, Arizona. We all wish Dave many happy and healthy years of retirement.
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| Capt. Ron Desroches says a few words on behalf of Platoon 4 . . . |
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| . . . and then presents Dave with this plaque and a photo of Pl. 4. |
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Photos by Daryl Osiecki
Posted 8/31/10
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An alarm comes in and Dan Murphy answers the "house phone" at Station 3.
The Gamewell alert bell struck once, followed by a tone signal. Each station answered its house phone in order, "Station 2," "Station 3," "Station 4," "Station 5," "Station 9," "Headquarters." ("Headquarters" was the dispatcher.) Dispatcher: "Engine 3, respond to . . . "
When the dispatch was completed, the station(s) involved acknowledged first ("3 OK"), followed in order by the other stations. Map numbers and cross streets were added to the dispatch information starting in 1981.
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| Friday, June 9, 1978 |
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| 1939 - Chief Charles Loller (1867-1961) beside his coupe |
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Chief Charles Loller posed for this photo in 1939 for a young Hamden fire buff, G. Donald Steele, who was later a member and future captain of the Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. No. 5.
Chief Loller served as Hamden's Building Inspector and was appointed Hamden's first fire chief when the Hamden Fire Department was created in 1925 by an act of the state legislature.
Chief Loller served as chief until April 1942, when paid officers were appointed and Raymond C. Spencer was appointed chief.
Posted 8/4/10
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| Battalion Chief Bill Fitzmaurice |
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Congratulations!
The Hamden Board of Fire Commissioners has promoted Capt. Bill Fitzmaurice to the rank of Battalion Chief. Bill joined the Department in 1987 as a firefighter-paramedic. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1993. Since 1999, Bill has served as the department's Training Officer/EMS Officer. While serving in that position, he was promoted to Captain. Bill's promotion fills the Platoon 2 B/C vacancy created by the March appointment of Bob Surprise as Deputy Chief.
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| Motorcycle-Riding Retirees Invited to Join 9/11 Tribute! CLICK photo for more details |
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| Lt. Dave Herrmann - Date and fire location unknown, but overhaul is in progress. (Photo courtesy of Clark Hurlburt) |
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