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Important updates will be posted immediately.
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Last update: Saturday, May 3, 2025 - 2200 hrs
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Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff Sunday for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service
Posted on May 3, 2025
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, an annual ceremony hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation that serves as the official national tribute honoring all firefighters in the U.S. who have died in the line of duty.
U.S. Code (4 U.S.C. § 7m) requires the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff for a period of 30 days following the death of a president or former president. 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.
To read the Governor's complete proclamation, click here.
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HFRA's 60th Meeting
April 9, 2025
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Standing (L-R): Mike DeLine Sr., Dennis Harrison, Clark Hurlburt, Don LaBanca, Dan Murphy, Sam DeBurra, Harold Mangler, Tom Doherty, Bob Surprise, Paul "Froggy" Frodel, Jack Mordecai, Dennis Baker, Dave Johnson and Mike Murray. Seated (L-R) Kerry Castracane, Bob Mordecai, Paul Turner, Chick Manware and Jim Leddy. Photo taken by Mary Turner.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
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HFRA's 59th Meeting
February 11, 2025
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Standing (L-R): Chick Manware, Ralph Tortora, Augie Williams, Jim Koutsopolos, Paul "Froggy" Frodel, Ralph Dievert, Jim Leddy and Dennis Harrison. Seated (L-R): Jeff Pechmann, Dave Johnson, John Spencer and Tom Doherty. Not pictured: Dan Murphy. Photo taken by Vic Mitchell.
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| Ff. John Corbett - 1988 |
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Retired Firefighter John R. Corbett
President Emeritus Local 2687, I.A.F.F.
1937 - 2025
We are deeply saddened to report the passing on February 4th of our brother retired Firefighter John R. Corbett, President Emeritus of the Hamden Professional Firefighters Local 2687, I.A.F.F. in Florida, where he and his wife Barbara lived for over 30 years.
John joined the Hamden Fire Department in July 1970 and became an EMT in 1976. He spent his entire career on Platoon 1, retiring in June 1993. In early 1979, John was elected the first president of the newly organized Hamden Professional Firefighters, Local 2687 of the I.A.F.F., and served until December 31, 1992.
The Hamden firefighters' union made enormous strides in working conditions, salaries and benefits during John's long tenure, for which we grateful retirees and active members now benefit.
John is lovingly survived his wife of 69 years, Barbara Yocher Corbett, his daughter Deborah Corbett, his son James Corbett, and seven grandchildren. Also mourning his loss is his brother-in-law Robert Yocher and wife Jodie. John was predeceased in death by his dear son, John (Bear) Corbett, whose memory remained a guiding light in his life.
John's bravery and commitment to the safety of others earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the community he protected.
Services are planned to take place in Connecticut sometime in the Spring. We will let our members know when the plans are finalized. A website tribute to John will be published at the time of his services.
CLICK HERE to read John's complete obituary as published on the Kays-Ponger & Uselton website.
Please keep Barbara and the rest of John's family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Posted 2/12/2025
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Condolence letter to Barbara Corbett
from Local 2687 presidents
We would like to share a thoughtful letter of condolence to Barbara Corbett, signed by the men who have served as president of the Hamden Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2687, IAFF. Barbara is the widow of Local 2687 President Emeritus John Corbett, who passed away February 5th. John was elected at our organizational meeting in March 1979 and served until December 31, 1992.
The H.F.R.A. website will be posting a tribute to John in conjunction with the planned memorial service sometime this coming Spring.
Posted 2/22/2025
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Retired Commander (B/C) Gilbert J. Spencer
1935 - 2025
We are deeply saddened to report the peaceful passing early Thursday morning, January 16, 2025, of retired Commander (B/C) Gilbert Spencer following a long illness.
Gilbert J. Spencer was born on October 15, 1935, son of the late Raymond K, Spencer and Mildred Delsole Spencer. Gil began his fire service career in 1951 as a member of the Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fie Company, where he remained a member for the rest of his life.
Gil joined the career department in 1957, rising to the rank of lieutenant in 1970 with the addition of a fourth platoon. His was promoted to captain in 1981 and Commander (now B/C) in 1986, and commanded the 4th Platoon until his retirement in 1992.
Gil is survived his wife of 63 years Helen Eamons Spencer, his son retired HFD B/C John (Susan) Spencer of North Haven, his daughter Kathleen (Paul) May of Forest Va, and seven grandchildren, John, Kristen, Lauren, and Kevin Spencer, and Jesse, Jamie, and John May. He is also survived by his sister Roberta Warfield of Cheshire, nieces and nephews and many friends.
A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Centerville Cemetery, Washington Avenue, Hamden. At 12 noon, all are welcome to the Mt. Carmel Congregational Church Parish House, 3284 Whitney Avenue following his burial for a Celebration of Gil's Life.
CLICK HERE to read Gil's complete obituary as published on the Beecher and Bennett website.
Please keep Helen and the rest of Gil's family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Posted 1/18/2025
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Governor Lamont Issues Executive Order Honoring President Jimmy Carter, Calls for Statewide Minute of Silence on Thursday at 10AM
Posted 1/6/2025
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Perhaps the Worst Fire to Ever Hit So. California
Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica Fires video taken at 1200 hours (EST), 8 Jan. 2025. Sent to HFRA website by Santa Monica resident Denise Johnson.
Posted 1/8/2025
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January 8, 2025 at 1200 EST - This video was shot by Denise Johnson from the roof of her apartment building at 14th Street and Michigan in Santa Monica, California. The immense smoke generated by the rapidly moving fires in the Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades areas fill the sky. She reports that the Ralph & Gelson's grocery store where she shops in Pacific Palisades is now gone. She has yet to be told to evacuate but is preparing to do so.
News reports suggest that this fire, or series of fires, may be the worst in the history of the state of California. Please pray for the residents, the firefighters and other first responders.
Posted 1/8/2025
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| January 8, 2025 - 1200 (EST) - This panoramic photo clearly shows the breadth of the fire that are devastating several areas of Los Angeles. (Photo by Denise Johnson) CLICK to enlarge |
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Winter Meeting Delayed - WEP Repealed - Dues are Due
1) The Winter meeting of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association has been rescheduled due to the National Day of Mourning for President Jimmy Carter, which takes place this Thursday, the date originally scheduled for the meeting.
The Winter meeting of the HFRA will be on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11th, at 9:00 AM at the Hamden Elks Hall, 175 School Street. Note the change from Thursday to Tuesday. A continental breakfast of doughnuts, Danish, coffee and juice will be on tap.
Our brother Frank Kafka, who was resuscitated by off-duty HFD personnel last St. Patrick's Day in New Haven, is also expected to attend.
Postcard meeting reminders to in-state members, as well as emails to all members, will be sent 10 to 14 days before the February 11th meeting. Active HFD members are always welcome to attend. Hoping to see you there!
2) The delay of the winter meeting gives the Benefits Committee further time to investigate and report on the recent enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act, passed by Congress and signed yesterday by President Biden. The Act repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws, enacted in the 1980s, which offset Social Security Benefits earned by public sector retirees and surviving spouses who are also collecting government pensions. Below is a link to provide more details:
3) 2025 DUES: Regular members who have yet to pay their 2025 dues may pay by check, by PayPal (see link below), or at the February meeting. If paying by mail, your $20 should be mailed to HFRA, P.O. Box 185605, Hamden, CT 06518-0605. NOTE: Honorary Members do not pay dues.
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Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff
in Honor of President Jimmy Carter
Posted on December 29, 2024 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that pursuant to federal law, he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff effective immediately until sunset on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in honor of the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter, who passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. U.S. Code (4 U.S.C. § 7m) requires the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff for a period of 30 days following the death of a president or former president. 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. Flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. To read statements that were issued earlier today from Governor Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz regarding the passing of President Carter, click here.
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- 2025 Dues Due -
To All Regular Members: Your 2025 dues of $20 are due as of January 1. If you have already paid, you are all set and you will receive your 2025 dues card shortly (if you haven't already received it).
If you still owe, you may remit by mail to HFRA, P.O. Box 185605, Hamden, CT 06518, or by using PayPal (see link below), or at the February 11th meeting.
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| Our Agent from the Baseball Bat Collection Agency, Inc. |
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To HFRA Regular Members:
Your 2025 dues are due
Dues are considered "Donations"
Use PayPal and save 73-cent postage
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2025 HFRA DUES
Please Note: Honorary Members are exempt.
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January 6, 1988
Youngest Hamden Firefighter "Baptized" by Fire
Firefighter-Paramedic John Spencer, assigned to Rescue 2 on Platoon 1, sustained second degrees burns to his face during a valiant attempt by first due firefighters to rescue a 14-year old youth believed to be trapped on the second floor of a Bradley Avenue house in January 1988. It turned out that the youth was actually at school. Firefighter Spencer, now Battalion Chief Spencer, was at the time the youngest member of the department, having been appointed a year earlier. Spencer's helmet is graphic evidence of the intense heat to which he was exposed.
Originally Posted 1/2/15
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| The New Haven Register, January 7, 1988 |
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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.
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| We Remember (2023 Ed.) |
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HOME PAGE UPDATES
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| CLICK HERE: Official Local 2687 Website |
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