We are in the process of archiving all weekly updates by the month. All of the weekly updates for this month are on this page.
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July 2021
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| Hamden Fire Retirees' Association |
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| This coming Tuesday, July 10th,
the 2012 Summer Meeting of the Hamden Fire Retirees' Association will be hosted by Brian and Karen Forsyth at their 138 Stanley Road home,
for all HFRA members and their families.
Swimming Pool - Volley Ball - Bocce - Food & Refreshments
The gathering will start at 2 PM.
VERY brief meeting to begin immediately thereafter.
IMPORTANT - There will be a report on the meeting with the attorney.
Your RSVP is needed by Sunday, July 8th - call Brian at 203-887-3409.
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70 Years Ago - We Stood United!
Seventy years ago, to celebrate the first Independence Day after Pearl Harbor, every weekly U.S. publication joined in a "United We Stand" campaign by featuring the American flag on its Fourth of July cover. Monthly publications featured the flag on the covers of their July issues. Even annual publications, like the Hamden's annual town report for 1942 (at left), proudly displayed "Old Glory" as their cover photo of the year.
No matter how vast or modest its circulation, from Reader's Digest to Fire Engineering, every American periodical was eager to be a part of this admirable patriotic endeavor during the early days of the Second World War.
Posted 7/6/12
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| CLICK on any cover to visit the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. |
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We just came across this polaroid photo of Ff. Ralph Tomaselli, taken in front of Station 3 on May 21, 1977. A great guy, a fine firefighter, and a true department legend, Ralph was the official unofficial designator of department nicknames, perhaps the most infamous being "The Face." (You either know who that was or you don't.) Ralph lives in Guilford. His brother retirees would really enjoy seeing him and sharing a few laughs. We miss ya, Ralph!
Posted 7/6/12
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Everett's Farm
Mt. Carmel Avenue
Sunday, February 22, 1942
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| CLICK to enlarge for easier reading. |
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Spreading Foam for the Kids
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| Summer 1980 - Hamden YMCA Camp on Downs Road |
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For many years in the summer months, the department spread high expansion foam on playgrounds at Hamden schools and at Hamden's YMCA camp for kids to play in and cool off. This 1980 photo shows career members Ed Doiron and Clark Hurlburt preparing to spread foam at the Y Camp on Downs Road. They are assisted by Co. 5 volunteers Ed Doiron, Jr., Brian Smith and Larry Gershman, who several years later would become the department's hydrant maintainer.
Posted 7/6/12
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| Gershman and Smith watch as Hurlburt and Doiron, Jr. direct the high-expansion foam applicator at the Y-Camp. |
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| Hamden Fire Retirees' Association |
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Fuel Oil Truck Overturns in Driveway
950 Mt. Carmel Avenue
Thursday, December 15, 1988
WATCH VIDEO!
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| 950 Mt. Carmel Avenue - CLICK to view video |
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| The New Haven Register - December 16, 1988 |
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On Thursday, December 15, 1988, Engine 9, Rescue 1 and Tac 1 responded to an overturned fuel oil delivery truck in the driveway of 950 Mt. Carmel Avenue. The truck slid backwards down the steep, icy driveway. Fortunately, injuries were limited only to the truck and there was very little spillage. A home video of efforts to off-load and then upright the truck surfaced recently. It has been condensed to 6 1/2 minutes.
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Almost 47 years earlier, on Friday, January 23, 1942, a similar incident took place (see article below) when a fuel delivery truck collided with another vehicle at the corner of Whitney and Dixwell Avenues, which resulted in an immense pool of fuel oil over the street. Too bad we don't have a video of how that truck was put back on its four wheels.
Posted 7/13/12
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Fuel Oil Truck Overturns at Dixwell and Whitney
Friday, January 23, 1942
American had been in WWII for only 47 days when this 2,500 gallon tanker lost its load at Hamden's main intersection. Looks like that 1920s sedan got the worst of it.
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| This New Haven Evening Register article is courtesy of G. Donald Steele. CLICK to enlarge. |
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| July 10th Summer Meeting - CLICK to view more photos |
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The HFRA summer meeting took place on July 10th at the home of Brian and Karen Forsyth, who treated members and their families to fine food, refreshments and a great time!
Thank you, Brian and Karen. Everyone had a good time.
Photos by Bob Mordecai and Dave Johnson can be viewed by CLICKING on the photo at left.
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Gag's Pepper Pot, 1115 Dixwell Avenue
May 16, 1946
Two good photos, but no story - yet.
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| Aftermath of the May 16, 1946 fire at Gag's Pepper Pot, 1115 Dixwell Avenue (Photo courtesy of Local 2687) |
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| Interior, the next day. Two men in the background may be from HPD (Photo courtesy of the Hamden Police Department) |
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The Whitney Theater, 1220 Whitney Avenue - Then and Now
(For the Whitney Theater there is only "Then." There is no "Now.")
CLICK to enlarge either photo.
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| July 11, 1978 - Whitney Theater, 1220 Whitney Avenue |
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| July 11, 2012 - 1220 Whitney Avenue |
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Armed with a brand new Pentax camera in 1978, the photographer thought it a good idea to shoot the Whitney Theater while it was still around. It stuck around for about five years more before being converted into yet another Hamden condo heaven.
Although there are no known records of major emergencies occurring at the Whitney, the Hamden Fire Department was no stranger to the place. One retiree recalled climbing an extension ladder to the parapet right above the marquee one night to check for smoke. In total darkness, he nearly stepped off into nothing. Another retiree recalled watching "Gremlins" at the Whitney shortly before it closed for good, only to be interrupted by a couple of fellow Hamden firefighters who were there officially, in their turnout gear. The manager apparently did not wish to spook the patrons with a silly announcement that the fire department had been summoned for whatever.
It has been said that on its final night of operation, the Whitney played the same film that it featured on its first night of operation in 1940. What a way to go! Looking at the photo, some of us can still smell the popcorn.
Posted 7/13/12
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| Hamden Fire Retirees' Association |
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Something for everyone this week, thanks to Chan Brainard!
This week's website update features several previously unpublished photos by Honorary HFRA Member and longtime friend of the Hamden Fire Department, Chandler Brainard. Chan grew up in Hamden and has preserved many department activities through his collection of remarkable photographs taken over the past 60-plus years, many of which are already a part of this website (and many more have yet to be published).
Chan now lives in Signal Hill, Califiornia and is still avidly interested in department activities. He visits the Hamden area every now and then. The next time Chan's in town we'll bring him around to meet the troops.
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| Photo by Chan Brainard |
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c. 1964 - A first glance, it looks like Lt. Joe McDermott is marching alone between two files of Hamden fire apparatus, while Firefighter Howie Hurlburt, Sr. watches from the running board of the 1958 Maxim aerial ladder truck. Actually, the apparatus was staging on Dixwell Avenue near the corner of Scott Street in preparation for Hamden's annual parade of fire apparatus at the start of Fire Prevention Week. Joe was the company officer of Engine 3, the 1954 Maxim right behind him, and he was apparently walking on ahead, perhaps to impart or receive some last minute instructions before heading out with the procession.
Each year on the first Sunday of October, Hamden’s fire apparatus convoyed up Dixwell to Whitney, then north to the Cheshire line. Kids of all ages would line the route to watch Hamden’s engines, rescues and ladder truck pass by.
Joe McDermott joined the department in 1953, made Lieutenant in late 1963, Captain in 1970, and Deputy Chief (now B/C) in 1973. Considered by his men to be a firefighter’s firefighter, Joe retired in 1991 and now lives in Branford with his wife, Helen. He has attended several HFRA meetings.
Posted 7/20/12
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This October 1961 newspaper photo shows Hamden's apparatus ready to roll for the annual Fire Prevention Week apparatus parade. Note the brand new 1961 Ford deputy chiefs' car in the middle. The '56 black Pontiac, driven by Chief V. Paul Leddy, was a holdover from Chief Spencer. It would be replaced in early '62 by a new Rambler sedan. The red and white 1957 Ford was assigned to the Marshal. (Article courtesy of Chan Brainard)
Posted 7/20/12
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| This August 2001 photo by Chan Brainard shows the crew of Tower 1 going through the paces on its first day on. Firefighter John Longo is at the controls with two unidentified firefighters in the bucket. At the time of this photo, this Tower 1 was at the halfway point in its service to Hamden. Costing more than $500K when new in 1991, it was sold last year to an out of state fire department when the new Smeal Tower 1 was placed in service. |
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And now, for something completely different . . .
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For the "sparks" among us: In February 1989, Chan Brainard snapped this photo of a 1919 American-LaFrance Type 31 aerial ladder truck with a rear steer feature, originally in service at Danville, Illinois. The rig was on display at the Hall of Flame Museum of fire apparatus in Phoenix, Arizona.
Straight-frame tiller trucks were fairly rare. Coordination between the front and rear drivers was an absolute must. The last ones were manufactured in the early 1930s. New Haven had a couple of these trucks, but a 1937 accident injured several firefighters responding to a call when the tillerman on Truck 4 inadvertently steered the entire rig out of control and it flipped over.
Tractor-trailer tiller aerial trucks, still manufactured, cannot be steered off course by the tillerman, but the direction of a straight-frame rig could be controlled by the operator of either the front or the rear steering wheel.
Posted 7/20/12
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Brock-Hall Dairy, 1204 Whitney Avenue - Then and Now
CLICK to enlarge either photo.
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| July 11, 1978 - Brock-Hall Dairy, 1204 Whitney Avenue |
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| Identical view 34 years later - ALL GONE! |
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The old Brock-Hall Dairy building at 1204 Whitney Avenue appears to be boarded up in this July 11, 1978 photo that was shot at the same time as the photo of the Whitney Theater that was posted last week. The same view 34 years later is devoid of any buildings, just trees. A five-story condominium building was constructed further back off Whitney Avenue at the same address in 1985.
Messrs. Brock and Hall were influential members of the Whitneyville Volunteer Fire Association from its inception in 1910. While the new Putnam Avenue firehouse was under construction from October 1926 until May of 1927, Co. 3's apparatus was housed at the home of H.F. Hall at 116 Putnam Avenue. From the Station 3 Log Book (1926-1947): "We moved our [1910 Locomobile and 1915 Maxim] from the old Fire house to H.F. Hall's garage on Thursday Nov. 18, 1926. Was moved back to New quaters (sic) Saturday May 15, 1927." Ironically, during that same period of time, on April 24, 1927, a fire did $33,500 in damages to the dairy's garage.
The gasoline shortage during World War II required the dairy to employ horse drawn milk wagons once again for home deliveries in the Whitneyville area, a practice that remained in effect for a couple of years after the war. The Brock-Hall dairy ceased operations in the late 1970s and the building was razed shortly thereafter.
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| Hamden Fire Retirees' Association |
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| Memorial Day 1978 - Great photo of Lt. Walt Macdowall on Rescue 2 giving the photographer a big smile, as the 1978 Memorial Day Parade concluded by the high school. Dep. Chief George Reutenauer (Platoon 3) and future fire chief, Lt. John Tramontano (Platoon 4), can be seen in the background. (Olson photo) |
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Those Department Rosters Help Tell the Story
(The website thanks Lt. Gary Merwede for inspiring this feature, when he posted an old department roster on FB last week.)
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Over the past couple of years, several retirees have donated old department personnel rosters to the archives. The earliest department roster is from 1953, although we do have lists of department members going back as far as the 1920s.
Those old department personnel rosters should be of particular interest to retired and active HFD personnel alike. Who was on the job when? Where were they working at a particular time, and with whom? And in their own unique way, these rosters also help to tell the story of the Hamden Fire Department.
We've identified certain "milestone" rosters that help to illustrate the evolution of the department since the earliest days following its formation in 1925. Different rosters, with commentary and back stories, will be posted here with each Friday update.
Scanned images of old Hamden Fire Department rosters are welcome and would be appreciated (send to hfdbadge102@aol.com). Retirees are encouraged to submit their own comments and recollections, too. (Keep it clean.)
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| CLICK to enlarge - NOTE: Staff personnel were usually not included on department rosters until later. Not listed on this roster - Chief V. Paul Leddy, Fire Marshal Robert O'Donnell, Dep. Chief Training Officer John Tramontano, Supt. Richard Lostritto and Asst. Supt. Paul Wetmore, Sr. |
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March 5, 1982
Two new firefighters were hired in February 1982, bringing the department up to full manning of 30 men per platoon. Each platoon consisted of one deputy chief, one captain, two lieutenants and 26 firefighters. At 120 line personnel, it would be the last time the department was that large. (NOTE: During the two months leading up to the implementation of the 42-hour work week in 1970, two of the three platoons had 37 personnel and one had 38. After the 42-hour schedule started, each platoon had 28 men.)
Incredibly, about two weeks after these recruit firefighters were hired, the mayor was looking to lay them off as a "cost-saving" measure. The union strenuously objected, pointing out that these men had just been hired. To lay them off would make no sense. The mayor then took aim at the fire department's management positions. In a New York minute the fire marshal and the five deputy chiefs flew to their typewriters and requested that their positions be included in the union. The state agreed, and soon the marshal and five deputies were on the other side of the negotiating table. This left only Chief Leddy in management, and his job was not negotiable. A second management position of Assistant Fire Chief was created in 1983.
Although there were 30 personnel on each platoon, the minimum manning in 1982 was twenty-five per shift. Over the next several years, through normal attrition, the town reduced the ranks of the department's four platoons to the required minimum number of 25. Instead of hiring additional new personnel, for whom they would also pay benefits, the town opted to fill temporary vacancies due to injuries, vacations and illness with off-duty personnel working at straight time.
In the years that followed, the town saved a bundle by eliminating twenty firefighter positions. But they also complained about the straight-time overtime that resulted from those reductions and savings. The next group of new firefighters was not hired until February 1987. Through negotiations, the minimum manning per platoon was reduced to twenty-three in 1993 and eight more firefighter positions were eliminated.
Posted 7/27/12
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One of the more annoying problems for Hamden's firefighters in the 1950s was the old Arch Street "dump," vestiges of which still exist on the south side of Arch Street between Fitch and Pine Rock. In 1951, teenager Chan Brainard snapped this really nice photo of the 1938 Seagrave that was Engine 2.
The "old-timers" to us new old-timers used to tell us about the hours they spent down at the Arch Street Dump putting out fires. A similar annoyance for the 1970-80s era firefighters was the Wintergreen Avenue Dump, er, "Disposal Area" (as we were admonished to call it). Ah, let me count the hours.
Posted 7/27/12
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Watering down the daisies
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July 18, 1998 - On this hot July afternoon fourteen years ago, the crew of Engine 2 on Platoon 3 was asked to provide irrigation to some newly planted local flora near the corner of Dixwell and Putnam Avenues. "Red Ralph" Purificato, working extra that day with Dave, Gary and Joe, handled the chore . . . well . . . quite handily.
Engine 2 was brand new that year and is still in service at Station 2. It is scheduled to be replaced later this year.
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| July 18, 1998 - Dixwell near Putnam |
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| 1963 - In this photo of Station 4, Milner Benham and Wilbur Baker can be made out (with a magnifying glass). The occasion may have been an open house, possibly in connection with Fire Prevention Week. Rescue 2, the white 1960 International Travel-al, always occupied the south bay. It was replaced in 1971 by a new modular unit on a Ford chassis, which was designated as Rescue 1. (Photo by Gil Spencer) |
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