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August 2013 Updates

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

Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.
CLICK here for daily flag status
 
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013

2013 Summer Website Schedule:
The next regular HFRA website update will be Friday, August 23rd.
Important announcements will be posted immediately above the masthead.

CLICK to go to HGSRA webpage
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August 8, 1959
Firefighter Fred Fletcher Saves Infant

New Haven Sunday Register, August 9, 1959 (Courtesy of Anthony Zaino) CLICK to enlarge
New Haven Evening Register, September 29, 1959 (Courtesy of Chan Brainard) CLICK to enlarge
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HFD Provided Special Summer Service on the Farmington Canal Trail

August 11, 2002 - Firefighter/EMT Victor Jackson (Photo by Bob Mordecai)
Sunday, August 11, 2002 - Hamden Firefighter/EMT Victor Jackson is shown on an HFD bicycle at the Sherman Avenue parking area near the Farmington Canal Trail.
 
On weekends during summer months in the early 2000s, the Hamden Fire Department provided a special service to canal line hikers and cyclists.  An EMT on a department bicycle would patrol six miles of the Famington Canal Trail between Sanford Street and the Cheshire town line to provide water and, if needed, a speedy first response.  Engine 9, one of the 1984 Pierce Dash pumpers, can be seen in the background.
Posted 8/9/13

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The Canal Line - When the Tracks Were Still There
 
The "Canal Line," begun in the late 1840s, connected New Haven with Northampton, Massachusetts.  It basically followed the route of the relatively short-lived Farmington Canal, which had been completed in the mid-1830s.  Passenger rail service on the Canal Line ended in the early 1930s, but freight service continued until the early 1970s.  Hamden firefighters were kept busy when sparks emanating from the wheels of the freight cars ignited the tall dry grass that grew beside the roadbed.

At the old Sherman Avenue Bailey Bridge overpass. The bridge and this section of Sherman Avenue were completely eliminated in the early 1980s when Sherman Avenue west of Whitney was re-routed to its present location. CLICK to enlarge.
In April 1979, Hamden Firefighters' Association president Bob Slater and secretary Dave Johnson hiked the canal line tracks from Mt. Sanford Road to Sanford Street.  At left, Bob is nearing the old Sherman Avenue overpass, carefully walking a rail to avoid the puddles of water that collected along the abandoned tracks.
 
In the photo below, the Canal Line tracks and the old Farmington Canal are shown side-by-side near Brooksvale Avenue. The demise of the rail line was ensured by the June 1982 Flood, which severely undermined the roadbed in many locations up and down the line.  With a few exceptions, the Farmington Canal Trail follows the original railroad right of way from New Haven north to Southington.
 
Posted 8/9/13

The Canal Line next to the old Farmington Canal, just south of Brooksvale Avenue. CLICK to enlarge.
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(Photo by Bob Mordecai)
Capt. Bob Surprise and Ff. Mark Barletta pose in front of Truck 1, filling in for Tower 1, at Station 3 during ladder testing in the early 2000s.  Still on the job, Bob is now Deputy Chief of the Department.  Mark retired in 2006 as Fire Marshal and is now president of the HFRA.
Posted 8/9/13

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(Photo by John Tramontano)
June !982 - Fire training session in the police training room in the basement of the recently razed old Miller Library building, where Central Communications was first located.  L-R: Ff./Paramedic Bob Surprise, Ff. Rick Kenyon, Ff. Don Buechele, Ff. John Longo, and Ff./Paramedic Howie Hurlburt, Jr. and an unidentified newspaper reporter.
Posted 8/9/13

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Firefighter Billy Giaquinto during ground ladder training behind Station 7 in June 1982. Bill was a member of the Class of July 1970 that brought the department up to full strength for the new 42-hour workweek. (Photo by John Tramontano)
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Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.
CLICK here for daily flag status

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013

Regular weekly website updates will resume on Friday, September 6th.
Important announcements will be posted immediately above the masthead.

CLICK to go to HGSRA webpage
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FIREFIGHTER GERALD "JERRY" WOLF
1927 - 2013

Firefighter Gerald R. Wolf (1927-2013)
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Hamden firefighter and HFRA member Gerald "Jerry" Wolf on August 30th.  Jerry served on the Hamden Fire Department from 1957 until his retirement in 1991.
 
Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Laura Wetmore Wolf, his son John Wolf of Hamden, and his daughter Linda Campagna and husband Thomas of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, and five grandchildren.
 
Jerry's Funeral Service took place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, at Beecher and Bennett followed by burial with military honors at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
 
Contributions in Jerry's memory may be sent to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jerry's family.
 
CLICK HERE to read Jerry's obituary in The New Haven Register
 
Revised 8/31/13

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O'Connell's Lawn Mower Shop
923 Dixwell Avenue
Monday, June 2, 1969

From The New Haven Register, Monday, June 2, 1969 (Articles courtesy of Chan Brainard)
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The 21st Annual Hamden Police Benevolent Association Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, September 9th at Laurel View Country Club.

Each year this tournament raises money for a scholarship fund benefiting the children of Hamden Police Officers as well as Hamden High School students who are continuing their education in Criminal Justice.  Registration fee is $160 and includes:
  • 8:30 a.m. Breakfast & Registration
  • Player Gift Package
  • 10:00 a.m. Shotgun (Scramble Format)
  • Lunch on the Course including beverages
  • 18 holes of golf at Laurel View C.C. with a cart
  • Hole-in-One car prize sponsored by Bob Thomas Ford of Hamden
  • Dinner to follow at the course, including steak and chicken
  • Complimentary Driving Range
  • Sports Memorabilia Auction by Mike Riccio of "Legends of the Game," Westport
Featured Highlights Include:
A $10,000 Hole-in-One by holeinone.com and Hamden PBA and so much more!
 
For more information call:
Michael DiMaria - 203-230-4000, ext. 4519
Betty Montijo - 203-695-1581 /
bmontijo@hamdenpd.com
Dave Falcigno - 203-281-8220

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1946 Mack Model 75
Mark your calendars!

2013 Engine 260 Muster
September 7, 2013
10am - 5pm

Eisenhower Park, Milford, CT
 
MUSTER FLYER

2013 REGISTRATION
NOW AVAILABLE!

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1982 - Dep. Chief Training Officer John Tramontano and Ff. Don Buechele at Sleeping Giant
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1939 Pump Test
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