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.
Just scroll down to locate the desired update.
July 2021
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| Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. |
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| CLICK here for daily flag status |
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016
Website is updated every Friday - Important interim updates will be posted when necessary
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| CLICK to monitor HFD radio |
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All archived website updates are now organized by year, making it
much easier to read the contents of each update. Just click the
ALL PREVIOUS UPDATES
tab on the top menu, and then click on the desired year.
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We are presently working on a comprehensive alphabetized index of articles and individuals.
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This Week
The website welcomes 2016 with some reflections on 2015, a year with lots of changes.
We lost three department alumni, two of them retirees with long careers. One was our first African-American firefighter, the other a transformative figure who brought many positive changes to the department during his tenure as fire chief.
A 20-year veteran firefighter/paramedic and three battalion chiefs retired in 2015. The vacancies generated a near record of ten officer promotions. Staff retirements in 2014 led to three appointments in '15, and the department's training officer was re-appointed to that post after a promotion to captain put him back on the line for a few months. Seven new firefighters joined the department to fill vacancies created by retirements in 2014 and early '15.
See "Transitions" below . . .
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The Executive Board and membership of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. wish our active members
of the Hamden Fire Department and all of our other website visitors a Happy, Healthy and SAFE 2016.
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Check out the Hamden Fire Department Honor Guard featured in this Hamden High project!
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60 Years Ago
1956 Dawns With a Cold Weather Fire in a
Spring Glen Quinnipiac College Dorm
Damages Around $25,000
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| In 1956, this was Laurel Hall at 90 Ford Street |
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Cold temperatures and a frozen hydrant made things difficult for Hamden firefighters on the second day of 1956, when fire broke out in the second floor of Laurel Hall, a Quinnipiac College faculty dormitory up a long driveway at the corner of Ford and Waldon Streets in Spring Glen. Built in 1920, the building is currently owned by Connecticut Clinical Services of New Haven and valued at $1.17 million.
Originally known as Larson College, Quinnipiac College's main building was located at the corner of Whitney Avenue and Servoss Street. It is now an assisted living facility named Larson Place. The college moved to its present Mt. Carmel campus in 1962. Known as Quinnipiac University since 2000, the school now occupies a much larger chunk of Mt. Carmel than it did 54 years ago.
Posted 1/1/16
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The New Haven Evening Register
Tuesday, January 3, 1956
(Brainard Cellection)
| Laurel Hall was up this long driveway.
| This hydrant on the corner was frozen.
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55 Years Ago
January 1961
New Chief, New Changes
Until the adoption of a new town charter in 1966, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved all department assignments and transfers. At his first meeting with the Board of Fire Commissioners following his November 1960 appointment to head the department, Chief V. Paul Leddy requested that Rescue 1, the 1958 Travel-al, be transferred from Humphrey Station No. 2 to Whitneyville Station No. 3, as recommended previously by the department's battalion chiefs. The transfer took place with New Year 1961.
Rescue 1 had been assigned to Station 2 since it was placed in service in December 1958. Rescue 2, which was identical to Rescue 1, was placed in service at Headquarters in February of 1960.
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| The "trucks" referred to in the above article were the two International Harvester Travel-als that were Rescues 1 and 2. (This January 1961 New Haven Register article from the Brainard Collection) |
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The transfer of Rescue 1, which also included the reassignment of one firefighter to Station 3, distributed both rescue units more evenly within the town. The move also took advantage of the spare bay at the Whitneyville station, made available by the March 1960 disposal of the spare 1930 Maxim. Another advantage of the move: While at Station 2, Rescue 1 shared the north bay with Engine 2.
When the Whitneyville station closed in September 1970, Rescue 1 moved with Engine 3 to the new station at Ridge and Hartford Tpke. It was removed from service and sold along with HQ's Rescue 2 in October 1971, when a new Rescue 1 modular unit on a Ford chassis was placed in service at Headquarters. When the department re-acquired a second rescue in 1976, it was placed in service as Rescue 2 at the Humphrey station. Rescues 1 and 2 have been in service continuously at Stations 4 and 2 (respectively) ever since.
Posted 1/1/2016
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The department lost three alumni in 2015. Jerold Bradbury, who passed on May 16th, served on the department for several years in the mid-1960s before leaving for a position in the private sector. John Tramontano, a 34-year department veteran, passed on September 2nd. As Chief of the Department from 1984 to 1993, Tramontano instituted many new policies to address the new fire service challenges of the late 20th century. Sam Jones passed on October 29th, six days shy of his 90th birthday. Sam joined the department in 1961 as its first African-American firefighter and served nearly 30 years before retiring to Knoxville, Tennessee.
We also were saddened in 2015 by the passing of Honorary Members Mae Bellemore (Larry), Laura Wolf (Jerry) and Carolyn Ferraro (Sal "Cookie"), all widows of our deceased brothers. Last year we also learned of the 2012 passing of Honorary Member Bernice Stacey (Richard).
(CLICK on any of the above photos to visit the webpage acknowledging their passing.)
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| 2015 Retirees |
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Four department members, including three battalion chiefs, retired in 2015. Together they served a total of 106 years. Firefighter/Paramedic Greg Pereira spent his entire twenty plus years of service as a paramedic before retiring at the end of February. Batt. Chief Don LaBanca came on the job in 1978 and was the department's most senior member when he retired at the end of April. When Batt. Chief Sam DeBurra came on the job he was already the Chief of the Madison Fire Department. Sam retired from Hamden at the end of June with nearly twenty-one years of service. Batt. Chief Bill Fitzmaurice came on the job in 1987. He served as the department's Training/EMS Officer for over ten years before his 2010 promotion to battalion chief. All four retirees are the HFRA's newest members.
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| B/C Otlowski - Platoon 3 |
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| B/C Couture - Platoon 4 |
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| B/C Desroches - Platoon 2 |
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In late May, Batt. Chief Rich Otlowski replaced Don LaBanca as commander of Platoon 3. Batt. Chief Gary Couture took over Sam DeBurra's Platoon 4 in July. Batt. Chief Ron Desroches now commands Platoon 2, where he got his start in 1987.
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The first three of these new captains replaced the three gentlemen who made B/C. Capt. Barletta was promoted in December following Capt. Grasso's return to Staff as Training Officer.
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| Lieut. Osiecki |
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| Lieut. Dowling |
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| Lieut. Martin |
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Lieut. Daryl Osiecki was promoted in May and was assigned to Station 2 on Platoon 1. Lieuts. Dowling and Martin were promoted last month. Lieut. Dowling was assigned to Station 2 on Platoon 3 and Lieut. Martin to Station 3 on Platoon 2.
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Tim Lunn was appointed Deputy Fire Marshal in January. He replaced Brian Dolan, who was appointed Fire Marshal in late 2014. Also in January, Jim LaFond moved up to Superintendent of Apparatus, replacing Donny Buechele who retired in November of 2014. Glenn Tricarico moved into LaFond's Asst. Supt. position in February. Finally, when the department training offficer, then-Lieut. John Grasso, was promoted to captain in July, he was required to return to line duties at his new rank. In December, following a civil service examination administered to several candidates, Capt. Grasso was re-appointed head the department's training division.
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On January 23rd, Hamden Town Clerk Vera Morrison administers the oath to recruit
Ff. Matthew Kellick, Ff./EMT John Paul Cristini, Ff./EMT Zachary Criscuolo and Ff./EMT Michael Colandrea.
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Firefighter Ralph DiFonzo, Jr. and his son, Recruit Firefighter Ralph DiFonzo III, are flanked by
Dep. Chief Merwede and Chief Berardesca at the younger DiFonzo's March 5th swearing-in ceremony.
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Recruit Firefighters Thomas Paranzino (April 20) and Zach Deutscher (July 6)
have their badges pinned on by their dads.
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"Transition" photos by Nelson Hwang, Dave Johnson, Bob Mordecai, Daryl Osiecki and Kevin Shields
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These five 2014 retirees were honored at Local 2687's annual Retirement Dinner on March 7th.
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Posterity Project
Fire Headquarters
Chief of Department
The website is celebrating today's future HFD retirees with the
HFRA "Posterity Project,"
a collection of photographs of every current active member of the department,
line and staff. A new photo will be posted here each week.
Appropriately, the website's first "Posterity Project" photo of the New Year is
Chief of Department David A. Berardesca,
who will complete his tenth year as Chief in 2016.
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More HFRA highlights of 2015 . . .
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Memorial Day 2015
Several HFD retirees joined our active brothers in the line of march in today's Hamden Memorial Day Parade.
Pictured here during a brief parade rest at Dixwell and Colony are, in the lefthand file, Ff. Brian Leddy, followed by Ff. Tim Doyle. In the center are Lt. Jim Dunlop (Ret.) with Ff. Greg Pereira (Ret.) right behind.
At right is Ff. Austin "Augie" Williams (Ret.), who marched with the HFD for the first time in the 1969 parade. Behind Augie is Lieutenant-designate Daryl Osiecki, who will be sworn in tomorrow as Hamden's newest fire officer.
Once again, it was an honor to march with our active brothers to honor those who, for our country, gave "their last full measure of devotion."
Posted 5/25/15
Photo: Capt. D. Johnson (Ret.)
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Humphrey Badge Donated
by Great-grandson
The members of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association thank former Hamden resident, Mr. Barry Edmonds of East Hampton, for donating to our archives Humphrey Hook & Ladder Fire Association badge #69 that had been issued to his great-grandfather, Frederick William Edmonds. From examination of old Humphrey photos, the badge appears to be at least 100 years old.
Mr. Edmonds' generous gift completes a set of badges from each of Hamden's Volunteer Companies 1 through 5. The Association still hopes to acquire at least one badge for Companies 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Posted 7/3/15
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Honorary Membership for Shirley Mangler
At the Association's recent summer meeting, HFRA President Bob Mordecai presented a certificate of membership to Shirley Mangler, who was unanimously voted to Honorary Memership at the April meeting.
Shirley, who is the wife of Hamden's longest continuously serving career member, Firefighter Harold Mangler (Ret.), has contributed to the Association's archives hundreds of her photographs taken at scores of Hamden Fire Department activities since the 1980s.
Posted 7/17/15
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At left, Shirley with camera in hand at Hamden's Quinnipiac College adjunct fire station, "Engine 10," during the 1995 Special Olympics World Games. Shirley took scores of photos documenting the efforts of Hamden fire personnel during the Games.
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The "Cab-Forward" is Back Home!
Purchased by three Hamdenites with strong ties to the HFD
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| 1959 Maxim in North Haven just before it was purchased last week by "Hamden 1959 Maxim, LLC" |
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| Co. 8's Dave Lockery and Co. 7's Vic Mitchell |
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It has taken twenty years, but the 1959 Maxim "cab-forward" is finally back home again. For the first time in the history of the Hamden Fire Department a former piece of career fire apparatus has been purchased by present and former career and volunteer members for the specific purpose of restoring it to its original condition, which will eventually include a white paint job just like the one it received before its 1959 delivery.
Dave Lockery of Dunbar Hill Co. 8 had discovered the whereabouts of the piece. Last year, plans failed at assembling a consortium of investors to purchase the rig, mainly due to storage issues ("Where the hell are you gonna park it?"). The plan was finally realized last week when Lockery, Vic Mitchell, a member of Mix District Co. 7 and a retired industrial fire officer, and one other fire department retiree each put up equal amounts of cash to purchase it. The three investors have formed an LLC to manage their goals of restoring and displaying "for historical purposes" the 56-year old pumper in parades and at musters.
Records indicate that this Maxim 750 g.p.m. pumper, Model No. F-2617-C, was delivered to the Hamden Fire Department on June 29, 1959 and was assigned as Engine 2. In 1968, the 1965 Mack became Engine 2 and the "cab-forward" became Engine 1. When Engine Co. 6 ceased to be an active career engine company in 1974, the "cab-forward" was reassigned to Station 3 as the department's spare and designated as "Engine 6."
Despite being a spare piece, the pumper was repowered with a Detroit diesel engine in 1981. It was removed from service in January 1995 and sold to a private party.
As reported in the July 7, 1959 Register newspaper article (above), Hamden's 1959 Maxim "cab-forward" was the first "F" model produced by the Maxim Motor Company of Middleboro, Massachusetts. According to local fire department lore, Hamden got Maxim's first "F" model because 44 years earlier Hamden's Whitneyville Volunteer Fire Association had purchased Maxim's first pumping engine. That was 100 years ago!
For now, the former Hamden pumper will be stored locally, but it is expected to be garaged nearby as restoration efforts begin. Look for it at the 2015 Engine 260 muster next month, but a decent restoration is still a long way off.
Posted 8/7/15
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| Tom Doherty and Bill LaVelle. They both worked together in the early 1960s at Headquarters on old Platoon 1. |
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| December 1967 - Ff. Bill LaVelle, flanked by Ffs. Hugh McLean and Gerry Wolf, as Chief Leddy looks on in the background. |
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At Wednesday's meeting the Association welcomed its newest member, Bill LaVelle, who served on the department during the 1960s. Bill was appointed on December 11, 1961 with Paul Wetmore, Sr. and George Patten. Welcome Bill!
Posted 10/16/15
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| Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. |
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| CLICK here for daily flag status |
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
Website is updated every Friday - Important interim updates will be posted when necessary
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| CLICK to monitor HFD radio |
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This Week
This second update of 2016 focuses on this week 75 years ago, when two massive blazes destroyed two area school buildings, and a third fire seriously damaged another - all within five days.
The day after a two-alarm fire forced 250 grammar school kids from New Haven's Hamilton Street School, the Hamden Fire Department and several other surrounding departments responded mutual aid to Cheshire, when it became apparent that a fire in Cheshire Academy's Horton Hall was well beyond the capabilities of any one fire department.
Three days later, Hamden firefighters had their own hands full when the Old Peck School on Hillfield Road lit up the night sky in West Woods.
What apparatus were in Hamden's firefighting arsenal that week? We have the answer.
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75 Years Ago
A Tough Week for Three Area School Buildings
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Wednesday, January 8, 1941
Hamden Responds to Massive Cheshire Academy Fire
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| The New Haven Evening Register, Thursday, January 9, 1941 |
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When the fire was reported about 9 PM, firefighters thought they would be able to handle the volume of fire. But shortly after Cheshire firefighters arrived on the scene strong winds began pushing the fire through the building, resulting in the need for additional fire companies from out of town.
When mutual aid was requested by Cheshire Fire Chief Richard Williams, Hamden sent Engine 5 from Mt. Carmel, the 1930 Maxim 600 GPM, and the 1938 Diamond-T Emergency Squad out of Headquarters in Centerville. Apparatus also responded from the neighboring departments of Meriden, Waterbury and Wallingford. Southington sent additional firefighters.
In a vain attempt to bolster minimal water supply, fire officials ordered shutting off water service to private homes.
Valuable paintings being displayed in the fire building were saved through the efforts of firefighters and other town residents. Sadly, many other irreplacable items were destroyed, including school records dating back to 1796 and a collection of valuable antiques on loan from a private party. The building was eventually razed.
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| The New Haven Evening Register, Thursday, January 9, 1941 (From the collection of the late G. Donald Steele) |
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CLICK HERE for a link to the VIMEO video, compiled by M. Kasinskas and posted by the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department and Meriden Fire Department Local 1148, IAFF, of some amazing 8mm footage taken by Katherine Thomas in January 1941, and acquired by Cheshire's Ron Gagliardi, of the Horton Hall fire and aftermath at Cheshire Academy.
Added 7/28/2021
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| Meriden Fire Local 1148 |
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4 Days Later
Sunday, January 12, 1941
Midnight Fire Guts the "Old Peck School" on Hillfield Road
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| (Photo courtesy of Local 2687) |
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The Hillfield School, referred to by locals as the "Old Peck School," was a private girls' school that opened in 1916, when Miss Florence Peck moved the school from its original location in Wallingford. The building was located atop a hill on the left hand side of Hillfield Road, where Hillfield makes a hard right and Johnson Road goes straight ahead.
On Sunday morning, January 12, 1941, a fire of suspicious origin was discovered shortly after midnight, destroying the building which had been vacant for several years. This was fifteen years before the Westwoods Volunteer Fire Co. was organized, so the nearest fire companies were Companies 5 and 7.
Miss Alice Peck, sister of Florence, also taught at the school. She would later teach at the town's last one-room schoolhouse on the corner of Johnson and Still Hill. That school closed in June 1954 and would later serve as quarters for the Westwoods fire company. In September 1954, a new elementary school was erected on the north side of Hillfield at the corner of Shepard Avenue and was named for Miss Alice Peck.
Originally posted 3/23/12
The headline below should have read "Spectacular Fire Levels West Woods School." This building was not the Mt. Carmel School, which was located on Woodruff Street - and demolished in 1981.
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| New Haven Journal-Courier, Monday, January 13, 1941 (Steele Collection) |
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| New Haven Evening Register, Sunday, January 12, 1941 (Steele Collection) |
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| The "Old Peck School," which stood atop the hill near the corner of Hillfield and Johnson Roads (Photo courtesy of the Hamden Historical Society) |
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| CLICK to enlarge |
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The 1934 aerial photo at left, from the State of Connecticut digital collection, shows the Old Peck School in context with Hillfield and Johnson Roads, seven years before it burned down and long before the building boom of the 1950s. The MapQuest photo at right shows the approximate spot today where the Old Peck School stood. Ironically, it is not a Hillfield Road address, but #100 Johnson Road.
Posted 1/10/16
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And it all started in New Haven on
Tuesday, January 7, 1941
155 Hamilton Street - Hamilton St. School
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| New Haven Evening Register, Tuesday, January 7, 1941 (Steele Collection) |
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Six engine companies and three truck companies responded on the two alarms. Effective fire alarm drills ensured that all kids would get out in an orderly and safely manner. Damages to the building amounted to $15,000 in 1941 dollars. The truck in the news photo is red. This was two years before NHFD began painting its apparatus white.
The Hamilton Street School building at #155 was razed more than fifty years ago. It stood north of the New Haven Clock Company building at 133 Hamilton Street, which still stands today. The school was situated on the east side of the street, between the Blue Derby Restaurant at #143 and Vito's Restaurant (no kidding!) at #157.
Posted 1/8/16
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Hamden Fire Department
Apparatus Inventory in January 1941
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Station 1 – Highwood
Engine 1 – 1926 Maxim 500 g.p.m. pumper
Ladder 1 – 1926 Maxim city service ladder truck
Station 2 – Humphrey
Engine 2 – 1938 Seagrave 600 g.p.m. pumper
Station 3 – Whitneyville
Engine 3 – 1928 Maxim 750 g.p.m. pumper
Station 4 (Headquarters) – Centerville
Engine 4 – 1939 Diamond-T 500 g.p.m. pumper
Squad – 1938 Diamond-T e/w 150 g.p.m. pump
| Station 5 – Mt. CarmelEngine 5 – 1930 Maxim 600 g.p.m. pumper Spare - 1919 Seagrave 750 g.p.m. pumper
Station 6 – Merritt Street
Engine 6 - 1924 Stutz 350 g.p.m. pumper
Station 7 – Mix District
Engine 7 – 1935 Dodge 150 g.p.m. pumper
Station 8 – Dunbar Hill
Engine 8 – 1925 Seagrave 150 g.p.m. pumper
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Posterity Project
Platoon 1 - Station 4
The website is celebrating today's future HFD retirees with the HFRA "Posterity Project," a collection of photographs
of every current active member of the department, line and staff. A new photo will be posted here each week.
Featured in this week's photo is Station 4's crew of Platoon 1.
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| Photo taken November 17, 2015 |
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Left to right: Captain Ed Evers, Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Blake, Firefighter Dan Mota,
Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Kellick and Firefighter Kevin P. Martin*
Posted 1/8/16
*Now Lieut. Kevin P. Martin.
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| Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. |
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| CLICK here for daily flag status |
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016
Website is updated every Friday - Important interim updates will be posted when necessary
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| CLICK to monitor HFD radio |
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Winter HFRA Meeting Devoted to Understanding Benefits
January 15 - Helping Hamden's guardian services retirees to better understand their retirement benefits was the focus of the 29th meeting of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association, held yesterday morning at Hamden's Elks Lodge. The Executive Board of the HFRA also invited Hamden Police Department retirees to the ninety-plus minute Q&A session, conducted by representatives from Social Security, Anthem/Blue Cross and Hamden Personnel. About fifty retirees attended.
A complimentary continental breakfast was provided by the HGSRA. The staff of the Elks, headed by Brian Forsyth, did an outstanding job preparing the hall and refreshments for the meeting.
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Shortest Meeting Ever
President Bob Mordecai opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in memory of HFRA brother retiree Sam Jones and Honorary member Carolyn Ferraro, who both passed since the fall meeting. He then called for a motion to dispense with all business until the April meeting, pay the usual bills and adjourn for the Q&A session to be conducted by our guests. Motion made, seconded and passed by acclamation.
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| Anthem representative Karen Mordecai explaining medical benefits |
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Q&A Session
Folloowing adjournment Bob introduced Rob Rodriguez of the Social Security Administration, who presented a very informative powerpoint demonstration on Social Security and Medicare benefits. Many of Hamden's guardian services retirees were employeed in other jobs which qualify them for Social Security benefits, and many in attendance were nearing or over 65, when Medicare kicks in.
Following Rob Rodriguez's presentation, Karen Mordecai from Anthem and Kathy Walsh from Hamden Personnel fielded many questions regarding benefits and reimbursements.
The entire session was videotaped. We hope to compile the major points of the presentations into a short video for private viewing on YouTube. We'll keep you posted.
The April meeting will be an evening meeting on Tuesday, April 12th.
Posted 1/15/16
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| Kathy Wash (Personnel), Karen Mordecai and Scott Millea (Anthem), Pres. Bob Mordecai, and Rob Rodriguez (SSA) |
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| Firefighter Craig Smart |
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Smart Named Elks Firefighter of the Year
The HFRA congratulates veteran Hamden Firefighter Craig Smart, the Hamden Elks 2016 Firefighter of the Year. Firefighter Smart, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, has been with the department since February 2000. He is a member of the Connecticut Urban Search and Rescue Team and is presently the regular Squad driver at Station 4 on Platoon 4.
Smart will be honored at a dinner at the Elks Lodge on Saturday night January 30th, along with Police Officer of the Year Mark Gery and Citizen of the Year Mimsie Coleman.
Social Hour/Hors d'Ouevres - 6 to 7 p.m.
Dinner at 7 p.m.
Awards Presentation to follow
Tickets are $20 per person until January 25th ($25 thereafter) and may be purchased through the Hamden Elks Lodge (203-248-2224), Phil Wilson (203-248-6800) or Carl Amento (203-444-1782).
All proceeds will benefit the Hamden Elks Charities.
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Just acquired . . .
Factory Photo!
Hamden's 1926 Maxim City Service Ladder Truck
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| Photo courtesy of Matt Lee (with a lot of help from Walt McCall and Chan Brainard) |
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The Hamden Fire Retirees Association thanks renowned fire apparatus authors Matthew Lee and Walter McCall for this outstanding pre-delivery photo of Hamden's 1926 Maxim ladder truck.
A few years back, Honorary HFRA Member Chan Brainard emailed the website after seeing the photo in Walt McCall's Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Fire Engine Manufacturers (2009). After re-reading Chan's email last week, we contacted Mr. McCall, who has contributed to the website in the past. He informed us that the photo actually belonged to fellow fire apparatus author Matt Lee, whom he then contacted on our behalf.
Within a few days Mr. Lee emailed the Association with this excellent 600 dpi scan of the Maxim ladder truck photo, with two hard copies also on the way to us in the mail.
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| Only known photos till now |
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The ladder truck was delivered along with a 500 GPM Maxim pumper in March 1926, at a total cost of $12,500. Both pieces were assigned to Highwood Station No. 1 at Dixwell and Morse. The pumper replaced Highwood's 1918 Stewart chemical truck that was then reassigned to Mix District Volunteer Co. 7. The ladder truck replaced the Highwood company's hand-drawn ladder truck, built by the company in 1907-08.
Until now, the only known photos of the truck (at right) were taken in 1939 on the ramp of old Station 3 and while it was parked out on Putnam Avenue, perhaps the same day. There are also two news photos of the truck following the 1941 trolley accident that totaled it.
You can't do any better than a factory photo and we are very pleased to have this one. Thank you Matt, Walt and, of course, Chan for bringing it to our attention.
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HFRA website visitors may be interested in these books by Matt Lee and Walt McCall. CLICK on the photo
below to visit Amazon for more information on how to purchase these and other books by these gentlemen.
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Posterity Project
Platoon 4 - Station 2
The website is celebrating today's future HFD retirees with the HFRA "Posterity Project," a collection of photographs
of every current active member of the department, line and staff. A new photo will be posted here each week.
Featured in this week's photo is Station 2's crew of Platoon 4.
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| Photo taken on a balmy November 16, 2015 |
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Left to right: Captain Paul Kobbe, Firefighter/Paramedeic Brian Gilson, Firefighter Zach Deutscher, Firefighter/Paramedic Shane Schaffer and Firefighter/Paramedic Don Paczowski
Posted 1/15/16
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| Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. |
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| CLICK here for daily flag status |
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016
Website is updated every Friday - Important interim updates will be posted when necessary
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| CLICK to monitor HFD radio |
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Sam Mednicow's Used Cars2230 State Street, corner of London DriveMonday, January 25, 1971
Legendary local used car salesman Sam Mednicow was slightly injured when the space heater in the office of his used car dealership exploded on Monday, January 25, 1971.
Mednicow, a used car salesman for decades in the New Haven area, specialized in previously owned (many times) automobiles that might be politely called "NO-K Used Cars," several of which were destroyed along with the office.
Platoon 2, under the direction of Deputy Chief James Strain, responded with Engines 3 and 4, Ladder 2 and Rescue 1. The ladder pipe of the new ladder truck was put into action successfully despite the notoriously narrow mains on State Street at that time.
Originally posted 1/27/12
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Mednicow fire news articles courtesy of Gilbert Spencer
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"Howie Sr." & the Mini-Pumper - 1978
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| Photo by Ed Doiron |
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When his son Howie joined the department in 1970, Firefighter Howard Hurlburt, then a 22-year department veteran, became known among department members as "Howie Sr." His son, of course, became "Howie Jr." Howie's other son, Clark, joined the department in 1980 and retired in 2010 as the department's deputy chief.
Firefighters Eddy Doiron and Howie Sr. were testing the brand new Pierce/Ford Mini-pumper on South New Road when Eddy took this photo in the summer of '78. This snapshot was discovered over last weekend among several other photos at Eddy and his wife Peggy's new home on Knob Hill Drive. The others will be posted here in the coming weeks.
There have been many other father-son combos on the department, including Julius & Russ Norman, Everett & Tom Doherty, Al & Ray Ramelli, Francis & Jim Leddy, John & Kevin O'Hare, Mark & Adam Barletta and several others.
Howie Hurlburt, Sr. joined the department on January 2, 1948 and retired in September 1981. Howie was elected to Hamden's Legislative Council in 1983. He passed away March 5, 1985.
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Annual Cold Water Rescue Training
Photos and information provided by Dep. Chief Gary Merwede
January 22 - With Hamden's iconic Sleeping Giant looming in the background, companies from the Hamden Fire Department last Wednesday participated in cold water rescue training exercises at Clark’s Pond near the main campus of Quinnipiac University.
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| Ff. Jaime Bonet and Lieut. Jeff Pechmann (foreground), with lifelines attached, advance on very thin ice at Clark's Pond |
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The firefighters in these photos are wearing protective water-proof suits that have built-in buoyancy. Lifelines attach them to crew members on shore.
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In this scenario, Firefighter Jaime Bonet played the part of the victim who had fallen through the ice into the frigid water. Lieut. Jeff Pechmann worked across the ice to practice different rescue techniques.
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While Connecticut has seen some below freezing temperatures in the recent days, members of the public are cautioned not to trust ice over open water in Hamden at this time.
With the coming snow, unstable and thin ice will not be readily apparent and caution should be used near bodies of water.
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Ice Rescue Training 14 Years Ago
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| Firefighters John Longo and Seth Patrick in 2002 - CLICK photo to see more of these photos by Bob Mordecai |
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| Pvt. Antonio Aceto |
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Our own Jeanine Aceto, retired Hamden Fire Department secretary and HFRA honorary member, is the proud mom of one of America's newest soldiers, United States Army Pvt. Antonio Aceto.
Pvt. Aceto (18), a June high school graduate, graduated basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia on December 11th. He will be joining the famed and legendary 101st Airborne. The members of the HFRA wish Antonio well - and be safe! Godspeed, Pvt. Aceto!
Posted 1/22/16
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| Marshal Dolan and Dep. Marshal Lunn |
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Posterity Project
Fire Headquarters
Marshal's Office
The website is celebrating today's future HFD retirees with the HFRA "Posterity Project," a collection of photographs of every current active member of the department, line and staff.
A new photo will be posted here each week.
This week's "Posterity Project" features Fire Marshal Scott Dolan and Dep. Marshal Tim Lunn, who were photographed last summer after a swearing-in ceremony at Town Hall.
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| Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. |
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| CLICK here for daily flag status |
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016
Website is updated every Friday - Important interim updates will be posted when necessary
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| CLICK to monitor HFD radio |
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High Expansion Foam Training 40 Years Ago at PW
A couple of more photos from Ed Doiron's collection show a 1976 high expansion foam training session at the Public Works on Shepard Avenue. It actually appears to be a sales exhibition by a vendor. The apparatus being demonstrated was never acquired by the department. The primary application of this type of foam delivery system would have been for extinguishing fires in below grade and in confined spaces.
In the top photo, Platoon 2 commander Deputy Chief Joe McDermott and Firefighter Warren Blake observe while an unidentified firefighter assists the vendor. Warren was assigned to Engine 9. Car 30, the car assigned to the shift commanders, was a bright red 1974 Chevy Malibu wagon, which can be seen in the background. Engine 9 and Engine 4 are also barely visible.
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Warren Blake (right) is assisted by another individual who looks a lot like Firefighter Joe Yoga, but who probably is not Joe. Joe Yoga was a Platoon 1 guy. Of course it is possible that Joe may have caught an extra duty job on Platoon 2 that day.
If you stayed by your phone every minute you were off duty you might catch two or three extra jobs a year. The "Deputies," who were management at the time, could call your home anytime of the day to offer you an extra job, even at noontime when most firemen were working their part time jobs to help make ends meet. But if you weren't there to accept the job, you were marked with a refusal.
Posted 1/29/16
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75 Years Ago
Another mutual aid call ends a busy month for Hamden.
But first . . .
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Saturday, January 25, 1941
Fire seriously damages two-family home on Millis Street
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The Hamden Fire Department and departments in several adjacent municipalities got hammered by several major fires 75 years ago this month. The New Year started with a fire that destroyed Cheshire Academy's ancient Horton Hall. Hamden and several other area towns sent apparatus to Cheshire. A few days later the old Peck School on Hillfield Road was destroyed by a suspicious fire (see January 8th website update).
Then on Friday, January 24th, fire department records show that every fire company in Hamden responded to a blaze that caused $22,000 ($365,000 today) in damages to the Connecticut High Test Sand and Gravel Company on Haig Street. We have no articles about that fire, but we're working on it.
The next day, fire seriously damaged a two-family home on Millis Street. The loss was estimated at $3,000 (over $50,000 today).
Finally, on the last day of January, a massive fire destroyed much of the North Haven Congregational Church at the corner of Church and Linsey Streets. (And there would be one more major blaze in February, too. Stayed tuned.)
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| New Haven Evening Register, Monday, January 27, 1941 (Steele Collection) |
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. . . then five days later:
North Haven Congregational Church
Friday, January 31, 1941
Hamden, New Haven and West Haven are called to assist the No.H.F.D.
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| Interior gutted |
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According to the news accounts, the fire in the 28-year old North Haven Congregational Church was discovered "shortly before 9." With fire breaking through the roof just as water began to flow, it was immediately clear to North Haven fire officials that mutual aid would be necessary.
Department records indicate that Hamden received the alarm at 8:54 p.m. Engine 4, Engine 5 and the Squad responded. Hamden firefighters were praised for their quick response and actions to save the unburned portions of the building with the use of the deck gun on the 1938 Emergency Squad.
New Haven sent Truck 6 out of the Edwards Street station, and West Haven sent Savin Rock Hose Company 4 out of the station at 28 Holmes Street. 1st Asst. Chief Francis Spaine of the New Haven Fire Department directed operations along with company officers from North Haven and West Haven.
By the time the fire was finally knocked down, massive amounts of water and frigid temperatures had left a six inch layer of ice on the floor of the church. The last Hamden unit rang back in service at ten minutes past one on Saturday morning, February 1st.
The beautiful stone church, completed in 1913, replaced the original church that had burned down in 1911. Despite the best efforts of the firefighting forces, the newer church had to be razed as well. It was eventually replaced by the more modern looking brick building in the color photo below.
The news article gave the church's location as "Quinnipac Avenue near Broadway." It was actually located on North Haven's Church Street, a small stretch of road that connects the end of Maple Avenue, an extension of Quinnipiac Avenue, with Broadway.
According to the log book of all Hamden Fire Department activity from October 1931 to September 1941, the property loss was estimated at $80,000 ($1.35M today).
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CLICK on the news article below to enlarge it for easier reading
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| The New Haven Evening Register, Saturday, February 1, 1941 (G. Donald Steele Collection) |
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CLICK on the above news article to enlarge it for easier reading
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Hamden 2nd Motorized Pumping Engine
- The only known photo -
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| Firefighter Joe Hromadka (standing) and Firefighter Ed Kromer (at the wheel) |
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Hamden's first motorized pumping engine was the 1915 Maxim 500 GPM, delivered to Whitneyville. This 1939 photograph is the only known snapshot of Hamden's second pumping engine, a 1919 Seagrave 750 GPM pumper, purchased by the town in June 1919 for the Humphrey Volunteer Fire Association. Cost was $12,500. The truck was delivered with solid rubber tires that were replaced by balloon tires in 1925.
We are hoping to acquire a pre-delivery factory photo of this apparatus - if one still exists - from a friend of the website who may have such a photo. We'll keep you posted.
Posted 1/29/16
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ONLINE VIDEOS OF BENEFITS Q&A NOW AVAILABLE
As reported here two weeks ago, representatives from Social Security (Medicare), Anthem and Hamden Personnel conducted a Q&A session with retired police and fire personnel at the quarterly meeting of the Hamden Fire Retirees Assn. on January 14th at the Hamden Elks Lodge. Approximately 50 retirees attended.
Brief videos taken at the Q&A, with questions regarding Medicare, the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset have been posted on YouTube - more to come - and may be accessed from the Benefits page of this website by clicking on the photo below.
More videos will follow shortly, after they have been edited from the original video sources.
Posted 1/28/16
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| Anthem representative Karen Mordecai explaining medical benefits |
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Posterity Project
Platoon 3 - Station 4
The website is celebrating today's future HFD retirees with the HFRA "Posterity Project," a collection of photographs
of every current active member of the department, line and staff.
This week the website is featuring a crew photo from over sixty years ago.
Featured in this week's photo, taken June 2, 1952, is Station 4's crew of Platoon 3.
A new photo will be posted here next week.
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| Photo courtesy of Richie Lostritto. |
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Left to right: Firefighter Richie Lostritto, Captain Paul Leddy, Firefighter Jules Norman*,
Firefighter Joe Collins, Firefighter Ray Carofano and Firefighter Paul Rosadina.
"Blackie," the station mascot, was also part of the crew.
*Firefighter Jules Norman (1893-1995) was the father of Firefighter Russ Norman (1917-2006),
who also served on Platoon 3 after the adoption of the 42-hour workweek in 1970.
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