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Chief V. Paul Leddy - 1960-1984
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November 1960
Leddy Appointed Chief
On November 19, 1960, Raymond C. Spencer retired after serving 18 years as Hamden's first paid fire chief. He was succeeded by Batt. Chief V. Paul Leddy.
V. Paul Leddy joined the Hamden Fire Department in November 1941. Following service in the U.S. Army during the Second World War, he returned to his firefighter position in 1946. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1949, and captain two years later. In 1954, all department captains were designated as battalion chiefs. In 1955, Batt. Chief Leddy was appointed Hamden's Civil Defense Director, and five years later he became Chief of Department.
The Hamden Fire Department experienced its greatest expansion during Leddy's nearly 24 years as chief. The number of Hamden Fire Department personnel grew from 67 to 125, two new fire stations were built, an additional engine and truck company were added, and paramedic (ALS) emergency medical service was introduced.
Chief V. Paul Leddy retired on his 65th birthday, April 27, 1984, and passed away April 29, 1994.
Originally posted 11/19/10
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| November 1941 - Recruit Firefighter Leddy (Photo courtesy of Paul Wetmore, Sr.) |
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| December 15, 1949 - Promoted to Lieutenant (Photo by George Moehl) |
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| June 1952 - Capt. Leddy with his crew at HQ (Photo courtesy of Richie Lostritto) |
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| May 1955 - Batt. Chief Leddy as head of the Civil Defense Fire Auxiliary trains with volunteers. |
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| Memorial Day 1961 - CLICK to enlarge (Sneiderman Photo) |
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| The New Haven Evening Register, Thursday, November 17, 1960 |
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| Photo dated March 16, 1962 - Station 2 |
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| Nov. 1968 - With Mayor William Adams |
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| 1969 - Public Education in elementary schools has been a priority since the beginning. Dep. Chief Daniel Hume, Lt. Kenneth Harrington and Chief Leddy are pictured here during a classroom visit. |
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| 1969 - Pictured with Sick Benefit Assn. President and future Hamden fire chief John Tramontano, Mrs. Audrey Manley, and Mayor Adams during MDA Drive. |
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| March 1974 - New Delivery |
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| August 12, 1975 - Chief Leddy presents 50 year plaque to Co. 5 president Raymond K. Spencer at Firehouse Restaurant. |
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| January 4, 1983 - Chief Leddy interviewed at 295 Treadwell St. fire |
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| Dec. 1, 1984 - Newly retired, Chief Leddy poses next to one of two Pierce Dash pumpers that were in the works before his retirement. |
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| "Somebody call the fire department!" - 1990 - Mortgage burning at Co. 5. L-R: Chief John Tramontano, Co. 5 Captain Karl Olson, Mayor John Carusone, former Mayor Lucien DiMeo and Chief Leddy. Co. 5 had taken out the mortgage for construction of the 1975 Station 5 annex during the DiMeo administration, when Leddy was chief. |
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| October 1962 (Vaccaro Photo) |
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