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1995 Special Olympics World Games
Fifteen years ago, the Town of Hamden hosted three of the several sports venues for the Special Olympics World Games. For over a year, the Hamden Fire Department, with the assistance of several other area fire departments, spent hundreds of hours preparing for the enormous ten-day increase in the town's population.
Hamden Safety Coordinator Batt. Chief Tom Doherty, assisted by Batt. Chief Mike Ambriscoe, headed the Game's Safety Committee for all Hamden venues. On Hamden's Safety Committee, Capt. Dave Johnson and Capt. Bob Viglione coordinated Fire Safety operations, Capt. Paul Wetmore, Jr. organized Emergency Medical Services, and Capt. Don LaBanca was responsible for Logistical operations.
For more than a year before the start of the Games, and during ten days the Games were held, virtually all Hamden career and volunteer personnel contributed their time and effort to make the department's safety mission a success. Fire personnel from North Haven, Bethany, Cheshire, and Madison offered a tremendous amount of assistance as well.
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| The torch bearer of the Games Torch Run takes a break in front of the Hamden Mart to pose with fellow special olympians and members of the Hamden Fire Department. |
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| Members of the Games Torch Run pose on the front bumper of Truck One with B/C Mike Ambriscoe, Chief Paul Wetmore, Sr., and B/C Tom Doherty (far right), who was a Dep. Commissioner of the Games Organizing Committee |
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| Engine 3, the 1973 Maxim "Telesqurt," was Engine 10, stationed at Quinnipiac College. Engine 1, a 1968 Maxim, substituted for Engine 3 at Station 3 for the duration. |
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| Engine 10 went in service at Quinnipiac College on June 29, 1995. |
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| Engine 12 went in service at the Hamden Mart on June 29, 1995. |
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Hamden's "Station 10" was in place throughout the ten days of the 1995 Special Olympics World
Games to ensure immediate and adequate coverage at the basketball venue at Quinnipiac
College. Batt. Chief Tom Doherty (left in the middle photo above) was an Asst. Commissioner of the
Special Olympics World Games, heading the Safety Committee for all
three Hamden venues. Also pictured (L-R) are Ffs. Dennis Harrison and
Dave Proulx and Lt. Bill "Salty" Marak.
Posted 8/12/11
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| Engine 9, the 1973 Maxim 1000 GPM foam truck, was Engine 12 throughout the World Games. It was stationed at the Hamden Mart. Cheshire's Engine 6 substituted for Engine 9 at Station 9 for the duration. |
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| July 1, 1995 - Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremonies at Yale Bowl - President Bill Clinton addresses the throng! |
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| Hamden Professional Firefighters, Local 2687 I.A.F.F. rented two billboards to welcome the Special Olympians. This billboard was on Whitney Avenue in northern Mt. Carmel. |
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| July 5, 1995 - Lt. Bob Mordecai, Ff. Ralph Dievert, Capt. Paul Wetmore, Capt. Don LaBanca (site captain), Ff. Mike Green, and B/C Tom Doherty at the Hamden Lanes. These were among the scores of HFD and other department members who volunteered to man the venues on their off-duty time. |
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| Outside Hamden Lanes the athletes get ready for competition. |
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| Competition! |
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More photos of the Hamden Fire Department
preparing for the 1995 Special Olympics World Games
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| July 1985 - Susan St. James with young Special Olympian at Hamden Bowling Lanes. HFD volunteers to the World Games (L-R): Capt. Dave Johnson, Lt. Bob Mordecai, FF/Paramedic Mike Green, Capt. Don LaBanca, Capt. Paul Wetmore, Jr., and Batt. Chief Tom Doherty (seated). CLICK to enlarge |
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| Actress Susan St. James chats with Ff./Paramedic Mike Green, Capt. Don LaBanca, Capt. Paul Wetmore and B/C Tom Doherty at Hamden Lanes - CLICK to enlarge |
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Movie and TV actress Susan St. James spoke with some of our guys when she visited Hamden Lanes during the World Games bowling competition. Another celebrity visitor to the Games - and we didn't have any film in the camera at the time - was a gentleman who drove up Rt. 15 to Hamden Lanes from his home in Westport, Paul Newman.
Posted 8/12/11
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| Shirley Mangler - CLICK to enlarge |
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| "Engine 12" at the Mart - CLICK to enlarge |
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| Tower 1 - CLICK to enlarge |
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Shirley
Mangler, wife of Harold Mangler, was an official HFD photographer for
the World Games. Over the years Shirley has taken many outstanding
photos of the HFD in action.
The center photo shows Lt. Mike DiStefano
and Ff. Ray Ramelli with "Engine 12" at the Hamden Mart, where Hamden
Lanes was the venue for the World Games bowling competition. Lt. DiStefano is putting
the finishing touches on a banner attached to the portico that once covered the sidewalk.
The photo on
the right shows Ff. Harold Mangler next to the first Tower 1 (1991-2011), flying the Australian
flag in honor of Team Australia, which was hosted by Hamden.
Posted 8/11/11
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| Tim O'Flynn and Charlie Cargan during the July 1995 World Games at the Hamden Lanes. (Photo by Shirley Mangler) |
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| Great shot of Chief Paul Wetmore, Sr. during the 1995 Games. (Photo by Shirley Mangler) |
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