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July 2021
Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.
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FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015
Website is updated the first and third Friday of each month.
Important interim updates will be posted when necessary.
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Starting May 1st, all HFRA website updates will be posted twice monthly, on the first and third Fridays. As always, important interim announcements will be posted immediately.
Special editions may be posted from time to time, whenever major events or significant anniversaries occur. So please check back between regular semi-monthly postings.
Platoon 3 members gathered outside Station 3 Wednesday afternoon for a "good-bye" photo with their platoon commander, Battalion Chief Don LaBanca. Chief LaBanca started his career in 1978 as a firefighter on Platoon 3 and has been its shift commander for the last nine years.
Don retired the next morning following thirty-seven years of service with the Hamden Fire Department.
At a mid-afternoon gathering, several "old-timers," three retired and one active, posed with Don in the kitchen at Station 3. (L-R) Firefighter Jay Connolly, now in his 35th year on the job and the department's newest most senior member; Chief LaBanca; Harold Mangler, who served continuously for 42 years, longer than anyone; Dave Johnson and Jeff Stoehr, both fellow Platoon 3 firefighters when Don came on the job in 1978. The five represent more than 170 years of service.
Platoon 3 treated B/C LaBanca and everyone present with this cake commemorating Don's retirement.
(At left) B/C LaBanca received a "souvenir copy" of a February 1, 1979 department roster, one of the earliest rosters with his name on it. Don, who was Local 2687's last active Charter Member, noted that the 36-year old roster had 30 people on each shift.
Junior man gets served first.
The new guy and the most senior guy
Batt. Chief Don LaBanca serves Ff. Mike Colandrea, junior man on Platoon 3, the first piece of cake at a mid-afternoon gathering at Station 3.
The following morning (right), before leaving the station, Batt. Chief LaBanca posed with Probie Firefighter/Medic Thomas Paranzino, the junior man on the entire department, as Platoon 4 presented Don with an outstanding expression of their appreciation of his 37 years of service.
Platoon 4 - Thursday, April 30, 2015
Before the 0800 change of shift on Thursday morning, members of Platoon 4 and at least one recent department retiree gathered at Station 3 to bid farewell to Chief LaBanca before his final departure for home.
It was a very different and tulmultuous era. Connecticut National Guard soldiers were stationed on the four corners of all central downtown New Haven streets. In Hamden, fire and police department preparations for the 1970 May Day Weekend were perhaps the most stringent since Pearl Harbor. Nine members of the Black Panther Party were about to stand trial in New Haven for the 1969 murder of an alleged FBI informant. Hamden's fire and police departments were among the many New Haven Area public safety agencies that went on high alert due to the possibility of civil unrest promoted by "outside leftwing agitators."
Courtesy of the Miller Memorial Library Microfilm Collection - CLICK TO ENLARGE
The number of Hamden career firefighters assigned to each of three platoons, already bolstered by the impending addition of a fourth platoon several months later, was enhanced even further over the three-day weekend that began with Friday, May 1st.
Hamden's four volunteer fire companies also manned their stations continuously from Friday evening until Monday morning. For the first time in memory, if ever, a career officer was assigned to Station 5 for the Friday and Saturday night shifts, Lieut. Bill Hines on Friday and Capt. Paul Rosadina on Saturday. Department-wide anxiety was heightened ever further on Saturday night with reports of a bombing at Yale's Ingall's Rink on Prospect Street.
Fortunately, when the standby was all over, the only fire department activities in Hamden were a number of false alarms, most originating from Quinnipiac College (see the May 7, 1970 Hamden Chronicle article below).
Don Steele was the captain of Co. 5 at the time. At right is the page from his record book showing the May Day stand-by the company's volunteers. Other logbook entries list the remaining volunteer calls for the 1969-70 fiscal year, which ended on September 30th.
CLICK to enlarge
Brush fires, especially on Sleepiong Giant, usually covered large areas and were very time consuming. The two career firefighters assigned to Station 5 truly appreciated their volunteers for those jobs. Most of the "paid men" at 5's were also members of the company. Several of them are also mentioned among the volunteer personnel who responded. It was a very different era.
Courtesy of the Miller Memorial Library Microfilm Collection - CLICK TO ENLARGE
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Hamden's Newest Firefighter
Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic Thomas Paranzino was sworn in as the newest member of the Hamden Fire Department on Monday, April 20th in the rotunda of Memorial Town Hall. Ff. Paranzino comes to Hamden from the UConn Health Center Fire Department, where he served as a paramedic. He will be assigned to Station 4 on Platoon 4.
Posted 5/1/15
Taking the oath from Town Clerk Vera Morrison
Dad pins on Ff. Paranzino's badge
Chief David Berardesca, Ff. Paranzino, Commissioner Jim O'Brien and Curt Leng, representing Acting Mayor Jim Pascarella.
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47 Years Ago
April 16, 1968 New Haven Register article courtesy of Chan Brainard
Forty-seven years ago this week Capt. Bob "Bubby" O'Donnell, a 21-year veteran of the department, was appointed to replace retiring Fire Marshal Al Purce. His appointment would officially take place a few months later when Purce officially retired, allowing O'Donnell to get some on the job training in the interim.
Photo courtesy of Sally Hines-Rowe
In 1954, when all three captains were summarily named to the new rank of battalion chief, all three lieutenants were promoted to captain, leaving vacancies in all lieutenant slots. Two years later, Bob was one of four firefighters promoted to the long-vacant lieutenant slots. His lieutenancy was the shortest on record. Eight months later, Bob was promoted to captain when Capt. Dan Hume was promoted to the newly created position of D/C Training Officer.
Posted 5/1/15
"Bubby" was a Legend!
Image:
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Press Release from the Office of the fire Chief, April 28, 2015
Captain Ed Evers and crew members are shown setting up an in-station demonstration and training exercise at Station 4.
The Hamden Fire Department announces the purchase of new heavy equipment extrication equipment. A new “Griphoist”™ mechanical advantage device has been placed in-service on Squad 1. Squad 1 is located at Station 4, 2372 Whitney Avenue Hamden.
The Griphoist™ allows firefighters to move or support heavy objects with far greater safety and precision than previous methods. The hand operated machine, which can change from lifting to lowering quickly and safely, utilizes heavy cables and pulleys that are placed by firefighters at an emergency scene. The most common use for the new device is assisting in rescue efforts at motor vehicle accidents. Trained firefighters using this equipment can lift or roll cars, trucks, or heavy equipment to perform rescue operations.
The Hamden Fire Department responded to 322 motor vehicles accidents with injuries in 2014.
From the Office of the Fire Chief, Friday, May 22, 2015 - This morning at 0926 hours the Hamden Fire Department was dispatched to a fully involved automobile fire in front of 2100 Dixwell Avenue. Squad 1 arrived on scene at 0929 and extinguished the fire in the northbound travel lanes.
The Hamden Police Department held road and sidewalk traffic for public safety during the incident. Dixwell Avenue was re-opened by the HPD a short time later.
The female operator of the 2007 Mazda CX7 was traveling alone and noticed smoke coming from her engine hood vents followed quickly by flames. The driver was able to safely stop and exit the vehicle before the fire spread to the passenger compartment. Hamden Central Communications received multiple 911 calls reporting the fire.
There were no injuries reported at this incident.
Fire Marshal Brian Dolan is investigating this fire.
Posted 5/22/15
Website thanks to Dep. Chief Gary Merwede for providing the photos, video and information for this incident.
May 18 - We regret to announce the passing on Saturday, May 16th of former Hamden Firefighter Jerold "Jerry" Bradbury, father of retired Hamden Firefighter John Bradbury. Funeral was Wednesday, May 20th.
Our thoughts and prayers are with John and the rest of the Bradbury family.
Fire Chief's Office, Thursday, May 14th:Today at 3:05 p.m. the Hamden Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire located at 55 Kelly Road. The first arriving HFD unit determined that both occupants were out of the house. Heavy smoke was noted coming from the front of the ranch style home and the fire had broken through the rear windows and extended to the attic spaces in both the main area and small addition.
After intensive interior operations the fire was called under control at 3:47 p.m. Heavy damage was sustained to the rear of the home.
The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the home owners with emergency relocation if necessary. No injuries reported.
Fire Marshal Brian Dolan is leading the investigation of this fire on behalf of the department.
Website thanks to Dep. Chief Gary Merwede for providing the photos and information for this incident and for the incident below.
Posted 5/15/15
Engine crew advancing a line through the front door
Rear view of the home during overhaul
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460 Wintergreen Avenue
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Fire Chief's Office, Tuesday, May 12th:While driving by the home located at 460 Wintergreen Avenue today, Brian Holt, 59, of Hamden, noticed smoke coming from the eaves of the structure. At 4:07 p.m. Mr. Holt called 9-1-1 on his cell phone to report the fire.
Engine 2 from the Circular Avenue fire station arrived first on scene at 4:10 p.m. and reported smoke coming from the attic vents and the rear of the structure. After a primary search to confirm that the raised ranch style home was unoccupied at that time, the fire was located in the attic.
Battalion Chief DeBurra declared the fire under control within 20 minutes of arrival. Neighbors provided contact information for the homeowner, who was called to the scene from work.
Engine 2, Engine 3, Tower 1, Squad 1, Rescue 2, Car 3, Car 2, and Engine 8 from Volunteer Co. 8 responded. There were no reported injuries. The Hamden Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the exact origin and cause of the fire.
Posted 5/15/15
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65 Years Ago Plans to Modify Humphrey Hall to Accommodate More Apparatus
The National Board of Fire Underwriters* had recommended the closing of the Highwood station at Dixwell and Morse because it was very small and too close to the New Haven city line. So after the Humphrey Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Association donated their 1913 building to the Town of Hamden in 1949, in exchange for permanent rent-free use of the second floor, the town enlarged Humphrey Hall (Station 2) to three bays, then closed the Highwood station and moved Engine 1 and the ladder truck to Station 2.
Also included was the addition a new repair shop at the rear of the building where a recreation hall had been located. The old repair facility was located in the basement beneath Station 4. The building modifications were finished the following year and Highwood Station No. 1 closed October 1, 1951.
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* In the mid-1960s, the National Board of Fire Underwriters merged into the American Insurance Association. In 1971, 30 national and regional rating bureaus merged to form the Insurance Services Office (ISO). (From the All Business website)
Posted 5/15/15
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CLICK to enlarge
BEFORE (in 1949)
AFTER (in 1976)
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47 Years Ago Two Officer Vacancies Filled by Tobin and Laffin
Years ago, fire department promotions were always big news in the local papers. A month after Bob O'Donnell was promoted to Fire Marshal in late April 1968, Lieutenant Luke Tobin was promoted to fill his captain's vacancy and Firefighter Jack Laffin was promoted to fill Tobin's lieutenant's vacancy. Ironically, many years and a couple of promotions later, Laffin would end up as Captain Tobin's boss when he was named Commander (B/C) of Platoon One in 1984. Jack Laffin, a fine officer who was well-liked and respected by his men, retired on the first day of 1990, having served in six decades.
Posted 5/15/15
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Spark Time
Regular website visitor Rob Palmer, who is in the process of compiling a complete inventory of Connecticut motorized fire apparatus since Day One, informed us that this Sandy Hook Maxim pumper was a 1956 model.
Posted 5/15/15
Photo courtesy of Chan Brainard
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From the 1940 Gamewell Catalog (Courtesy of Victor Mitchell)
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1969 - The crew of Platoon 1, Station 3 (Putnam Avenue) are seen repacking the 2-1/2" on Engine 3. Waving up top is Firefighter Walt Vining. Immediately below Walt (L-R) are Firefighters Carmen Amarante, Dave Herrmann and Ed Doiron. Barely visible in the hose bed are Firefighters Bob Chadwick and Bob Slater. All pumper hose beds were split a few years later, with 1000' of 3" on one side and 1000' of 2-1/2" on the other, which allowed one pumper to drop a parallel lay for delivering higher volumes with reduced friction loss. LDH was introduced in 1986.
New Haven Journal-Courier, August 15, 1945 - CLICK to enlarge
On this 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, it is especially fitting to remember those Hamden firefighters who served in the U.S. military during World War II. For well over a generation, they represented the majority of the personnel who served on the Hamden Fire Department. "Bless 'em all!"
World War II Honor Roll
Hamden's World War II Honor Roll, which stood on the site of the future Miller Memorial Library until 1951.
Lawrence Bellemore
Edward Bevins
Warren Blake
William Bossoli
Robert Callahan
Michael Cantarella
Raymond Carofano
Joseph Collins
Fiore Cubbellotti
Thomas Cummins
Francis Eitler
William Esposito
Salvatore Ferraro
Frederick Fletcher
Kenneth Harrington
David Herrmann Burton Hillocks
William Hines
John Hoffman
David Howe
Joseph Hromadka
Howard Hurlburt, Sr.
Samuel Jones Stewart Keeler
Frederick Knudsen
John Laffin
Francis Leddy
V. Paul Leddy
Richard Lostritto
Eugene Maturo
Joseph McDermott
John McKee
Hugh McLean Russell Norman
Daniel O'Connell Robert O'Donnell Joseph Rahl Alfred Ramelli George Reutenauer Paul Rosadina Vincent Roth Mario Serafino Arthur Smith Richard Stacey Emil Strain James Strain Luke Tobin Sidney Trower Raymond Vreeland Robert Williams Gerald Wolf
Please keep all of our
troops, past and present, in your thoughts and prayers.
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A Special Memorial Day Tribute from a Father to His Son
Posted 5/25/15
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We Will Always Remember
The 2015 Hamden Fire Department marching contingent led by the department's Local 2687 Honor Guard.
Remembering those who gave their all to preserve our freedom and way of life.
Posted 5/26/15
Photos by Deanna DeStefano
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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 by Capt. D. Johnson (Ret.)
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Memorial Day 1947
The Hamden Chronicle, courtesy of the Hamden Historical Society
In the photo above, the marchers are on Whitney Avenue right in front of Fire Headquarters. The old Victorian building in the background with the mansard roof housed Charlie Crook's drug store. Some buildings on the left are still there. In 1947 the Brown Stone House was still two years off.
Until the early 1950's, Hamden's Memorial Day Parade stepped off at about where it ends today, at the corners of Dixwell and Old Dixwell Avenues, just west of the town hall. It proceeded north on Whitney Avenue to Washington Avenue, pausing at the Central Burying Ground for a brief ceremony. The parade then continued south on Washington Avenue, and west on Dixwell to where it began, just west of the town hall.
Posted 5/25/15
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To all HFD retirees:
Once again, Local 2687 and Chief David Berardesca invite all HFD retirees who still have their dress blues to join the active HFD members in Hamden's Memorial Day Parade next Monday, May 25th.
HFD personnel and retirees in their dress blues are asked to assemble on the sidewalk in front of the Hamden High School at 0900. The parade starts at 1000, and will proceed up Dixwell Avenue from the high school to Whitney Avenue.
Participation in Hamden's Memorial Day Parade has always been a tangible way for our firefighters to honor those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of our country. It is also a time to remember our deceased brothers who once marched with us.
The weather for Memorial Day is predicted to be excellent with temps in the low 70s.
The HFRA wishes everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day!
As an independent, non-political social organization, the HFRA does not endorse political candidates. However, we believe it appropriate to inform members and other readers that one of our own, retired Hamden firefighter Bob Anthony, is once again a candidate for Mayor of the Town of Hamden.
Bob served for thirteen years as president of the Hamden Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2687, IAFF.Since his 2005 retirement, Bob has worked with the Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association of Connecticut and was a founding member of the Hamden Guardian Services Retirees Association, LLC.
Bob ran in 2013 against incumbant Mayor Scott Jackson, who won a third term. Jackson resigned April 16th to take a position with the Malloy Administration. A special election will be held Thursday, May 28th to fill the vacancy. In addition to Bob Anthony, candidates include Curt Leng and George Levinson.
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Remember: If you live in Hamden, please exercise your right to vote in the special mayoral election on Thursday, May 28th.
