Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.

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2016

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Go to 2017 Updates


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January 1, 2016


Pledge to Pledge
60 Years Ago:  Fire at QC Dorm in Spring Glen
1961:  New Chief, New Changes
Transitions: Those We Lost, Retirements, Promotions, New Faces of 2015
2015 Retirement Dinner Honorees
Posterity Project:  Chief David A. Berardesca
More Highlights of 2015

January 8, 2016


75 Years Ago: Firefighters' Tough Week
January 1941:  HFD Apparatus Inventory
Posterity Project:  Platoon 1, Station 4

January 15, 2016


Understanding Benefits
Smart Named Elks Firefighter of '16
Hamden's 1926 Maxim Ladder Factory Photo
Posterity Project:  Platoon 4, Station 2

January 22, 2016


January 25, 1971:  Sam Mednicow's Used Cars
1978:  "Howie Sr." & the Minipumper
2016:  Cold Water Rescue Training
2002:  Cold Water Rescue Training
Jeanine's Boy
Posterity Project:  Marshal's Office

January 29, 2016


High Expansion Foam Training 40 Years Ago
75 Years Ago:  Another Busy Week for the HFD
January 31, 1941:  Mutual Aid to North Haven
Hamden's 2nd Motorized Pumping Engine - Only Known Photo
ONLINE VIDEOS OF BENEFITS Q&A NOW AVAILABLE
Posterity Project (1952): Platoon 3, Station 4

February 5, 2016


Two Newest Hamden Firefighters Sworn In
February 1972:  LIFE photo of Hamden Winter Water Rescue
Hamden Elks Firefighter of the Year
Posterity Project:  Platoon 4, Station 4

February 12, 2016


35 Years Ago:  Hamden's Civilian Fire Dispatchers
Marty Barletta:  A Nice Backstory
Posterity Project:  Maintenance Division
Summer 1971:  Training at Willimantic Fire School
15 Years Ago:  Instant Convertible
Clark's Pond, One Year Later

February 19, 2016


75 Years Ago:  Hamden Landmark Destroyed
Town Hall:  A Little History
1925:  Memorial Town Hall Dedication
Station 4 Through the Years
Posterity Project:  Platoon 1, Station 3 (Tower 1)

February 26, 2016


c. 1968:  Firefighter Walt Macdowall at Old 3's
1969:  HFD Parade Honor Guard
Testing Hose (always a lot of fun!)
NICE! Polishing Station 9
Posterity Project:  Platoon 1, Station 9
Spark Time:  1944 Maxim Pumper with a Canopy Cab

March 4, 2016


Squad 1 Nails Fully Involved Pick-up Truck
30 Years Ago:  HFD Goes LDH
Read Across America
"Hamden" Fire Marks
HFRA featured in Post-Chronicle
Ch - Ch - Ch - Changes!: Magic Mile 1965 and Now
Posterity Project:  Platoon 2, Station 2

March 11, 2016


Margaret "Marty" Barletta
55 Years Ago: Joe McDermott Commended for Saving Young Life
1961:  New Car for Deputy Chiefs (Shift Commanders)
1966:  Another New Car for Deputies
Those Apparatus Radio Designations
Posterity Project:  Platoon 1, Station 3 (Engine 3)

March 18, 2016


Early Dunbar Hill Photo Found
Happy Birthday, "Rev."
Driver Extricated from School Bus Following Crash
c. 1968:  Firefighter Sam Jones at Old 3's
Posterity Project:  Platoon 1, Car 3
1982:  Lt. Bill Coppola at Station 4

March 25, 2016


50 Years Ago:  Rocket Fuel Fire Damages Bolton Street Home
Car vs. House Last Tuesday
90 Years Ago: New Maxim Pumper and Truck for Highwood
1941: 1926 Maxim Truck vs. Trolley (Truck Loses)
Then and Now: Dixwell Avenue near Mather Street
New Photos Show Extent of Interior Damage to School Bus
Posterity Project (1951):  Platoon 2, Station 2
Rotary Club Donations for HVFF Fireworks and CERT

April 1, 2016


HFRA Spring Meeting on the 12th
Jay Leno's 1914 Christie Tractor & Steamer
30 Years Ago:  Hamden-Bethany Mutual Aid Pact
Posterity Project:  Platoon 4, Station 9
Maryjane Grelle-McGaffin (1957 - 2016)
Five Years a "Weekly"

April 8, 2016


April 10, 1970:  26-28 Dudley Street
Hamden's First Hydrant
Posterity Project:  Training Officer, Capt. John Grasso
Connecticut Firemen's Historical Society Re-opening
2016 Harley Davidson to be Raffled!
Spark Time:  Temple Terrace, FL Quint

April 15, 2016


Quick Response Saves Centerville Greenhouse
Two dozen turn out for the Association's 30th meeting
Posterity Project:  Platoon 2, Station 9
April 1976:  Second Rescue is Placed in Service 
1951 Maxim Dedication Plaques
Howard Hurlburt, Jr. Memorial Plaque Presentation
1957 British Firefighters' Training Film (YouTube)

April 22, 2016


April 26, 1956:  Tragic Fire Follows Birthday Celebration
Talkin' Trash:  Memorable HFD Trash Fires
Posterity Project:  Deputy Fire Chief Gary Merwede
History of HFD's "Second-in-Command"
Then and Now:  Thornton Street

April 29, 2016


Four Honored at Local 2687 Annual Retirement Dinner
Training:  Confined Space Rescue
Training:  Confined Space Rescue '95 (YouTube)
Posterity Project:  Platoon 2, Station 4
Same Crew in a Different Venue
55 Years Ago:  A Very Dangerous Time!

May 6, 2016


May 8, 1946:  Blaze Damages Himmel Bros. Building
1986:  Hamden Parade Launches Town Bicentennial Celebration
80-Year-Old Hamden Parade Film Coming Soon
Posterity Project:  Platoon 1 Station 5
Multi-agency Rescue Exercise at Sleeping Giant
Honorary Member Mary Lane
Do You Have a Flashlight App on Your iPhone?

May 13, 2016


What's the Connection with the HFD?
May 13, 1966:  Drunk Driver on Parkway Kills Three Sacred Heart Seniors
Parkway Tragedy Leads to Rev. Sanderson's Intro to HFD
May 1966:  HFD Apparatus Inventory
Hamden High Fire in Nursery Area Extinguished Quickly
Posterity Project:  Platoon 3, Station 2
May 15, 1973:  Three Promotions

May 20, 2016


Helping Our "Best Friend":  HFD Called to the Giant
Taking a break in '02
May 1946:  Gag's Pepper Pot
HFD Responds to Report of Overturned Kayak
Members Honored by Yale-NH Hospital Sponsor Hospital Program
Posterity Project:  Platoon 3, Station 5

May 27, 2016


Remembering Firefighter Edward G. Charbonneau, Who Died Serving
     His Country
YouTube Photographic Tribute to America
May 26, 1956:  Hamden Cooperative Poultry Auction Assn.
Posterity Project:  Platoon 2, Station 5
May 1986:  Live Fire Training on Arch Street
1970s Radio Designation Tag - "Engine 35"
1973:  Ffs. John O'Hare and Joe Mulligan with 4 Co. 5 Vols on Engine 5
Website Announcement

June 3, 2016


Announcements: HGSRA Election and Upcoming HFRA Meeting
Station 3 in '93
Seat belts and guardrail save two very fortunate car occupants
June 3, 1956:  HFD Training Cited in N.H. Register
Posterity Project:  Platoon 3, Station 3

June 10, 2016


Orlando Nightclub Tragedy: Gov. Malloy Orders Flags Lowered
June 12, 1966:  Hamden Field Day Features Competition, Hotdogs
     and (later) Doughnuts
June 12, 1966:  Connecticut Doughnut Co. Destroyed
Doughnut Company Photo Retrospective
Posterity Project:  Platoon 3, Car 3
June 10, 1976:  Maisano's Package Store
1986 Hamden Bicentennial Fire Muster
Bicentennial Outing at Brooksvale
1936 Hamden Parade Film Coming Next Week!

June 17, 2016


Website 7th Anniversary!
The Rest of the Story:  Reunion Between Joe McDermott and the Child
     He Saved in 1961
June 16, 1936:  Hamden Sesquicentennial Parade Film (YouTube)
June 18, 1956:  Fire at 1144 Whitney Avenue Garage
Posterity Project:  Platoon 3, Station 4
HFRA Summer Meeting Date Change Reminder

June 24, 2016


June 26, 1956:  Magnesium Fire Challenges Hamden Firefighters
Hamden High School's "Pledge 2 Pledge" (YouTube)
June 1982:  Platoon 2 crew sprucing up Engine 4
1954:  Emergency Squad in Action off State Street
Posterity Project:  Platoon 4, Car 4
HFRA Acquires Co. 1 Badge of "The Historian of Highwood"
Emergency Plan Kicks Off 80th Year at 8's
Spark Time: c. 1910 NHFD Truck Co. in Action on Church Street
Brush 8

2016 Summer Bulletin Board


Firefighters Rescue Dangling Worker from Sports Complex Roof at QU (w/video)
Honorary Member Janet Butterworth
Lieutenant Robert Edward Kelo (1939 - 2016)
Deputy Chief Donald Hasbrouck Hamden Police Department (Ret.)
Sunday, August 14th:  75 Beacon Street House Fire
Al Gorman (1943 - 2016)
Firefighter Ralph DiFonzo Named Inspector
Posterity Project:  Platoon 2, Station 3
New Engine 3 Placed in Service
31st HFRA Meeting on July 21st
Happy #240 America!

September 9, 2016


2016 Engine 260 Muster
September 11, 2016:  Flag Status
Local 2687 Golf Tourney Announcement
Class of July 1969 Sworn In
1951:  Firehouse Becomes Schoolhouse
Miss Fitzgerald, Teacher
Richie Lostritto Manning the Case Tractor
Lieutenant Robert Edward Kelo

September 11, 2016


SPECIAL PAGE
9/11 - Fifteen Years Later

September 16, 2016


"Hey, Ralph!"
Star of the 45th Engine 260 Muster
1930 Maxim at June Klingberg Auto Show
September 21, 1938
"The View" of Lake Whitney from East Rock - Then and Now
1951:  Oil Truck Overturns in Mt. Carmel

September 23, 2016


September 1976:  The "Log Cabin" Fire on State Street
2295 State Street Today
1976:  Apparatus Inventory
HFRA October Meeting Announcement
Chief Spencer's 1956 "Poncho"

September 30, 2016


35th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend: Oct. 8-9
Two Hurt During "Hurricane Belle" Pumper Crash
50 Years Ago:  Centerville Demolition for 1st Municipal Parking Lot
How it Looks Today
50 Years Ago:  Grace Episcopal Church, a Moving Experience
Spark Time:  Horse-drawn Ladder Truck in 1954 West Haven Parade

October 7, 2016


1957:  Color photo of 1938 Emergency Squad
Connecticut Motorized Fire Apparatus Database
Autumn Meeting Notice of the HFRA
October 6, 1958:  West Todd St. barn fire

October 14, 2016


Robert Callahan, Jr. - R.I.P.
Two new firefighter/medics to be sworn in
Association's 32nd Meeting Well Attended: Sam Jones Honored
HFD's 1930 Maxim - Where did it end up?
October 17, 1956:  Four new company officers sworn in

October 21, 2016


Tradition Revived: Ff. Jay Connolly Assigned Badge No. 1
October 24, 1951:  Barn Fire
Dave Wood Promoted to Lieutenant
Hamden's Newest Firefighters Sworn In
October 21, 1995:  Thanks from Olive Oyl's Boyfriend
"The Rev" to be honored by Knights of St. Patrick

October 28, 2016


John O'Hare Hits the Big 9-0
1961:  Annual Ball Committee
1953:  Hamden's 1952 Maxim in CSFA Convention Parade
64 Years Ago:  Ball Committee
1988:  Ff. Buechele and New Rescue 1 at Station 4
1974:  Forcible Entry Training Behind Station 5
1924:  View Looking North on Whitney at Dixwell
Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Coin Honors Firefighting

November 4, 2016


HFRA Remembers Lieutenant Bob Kelo
October 18, 1985:  Awards Night - Ff. Buechele, Lt. Kelo and Ff. Surprise
Election Night 1965 fire at Bristol's Whitney Avenue barn
"The Mack"

November 11, 2016


John Raymond "Bear" Corbett III - R.I.P.
Off. Robert Reutenauer, HPD (Ret.) - R.I.P.
Remember Our Veterans Today
Fire:  July 11, 1981 at 37 Dix Street
Fire:  November 9th at 787 Choate Avenue

November 19, 2016


November 21, 2016:  Barn fire at 680 Evergreen Avenue
November 21, 1966 - Fire damages mansion at "Edge Hill"
35 Years of Central Communications

November 25, 2016


November 2016:  Major Fire at Seramonte Apartments
Hamden Police & Firefighter Appreciation Day
1982:  Car 3
1946:  Eight Applicants
Spark Time:  Groton's Ward-LaFrance
Barn Fire:  680 Evergreen Avenue

December 2, 2016


Guardian Services Honored
"Our" Vera's Namesake in the Fire Service
Spark Time: Thomaston's Open-cab Maxim

December 7, 2016


Dec. 7, 1941:  HFD Prepares for the Worst
April 1942:  Spencer Named Chief
120 Years of Hamden Fire Service
Honorary Member Rita Harrington
Godspeed, John Glenn (1921-2016)

December 16, 2016


Spring Glen Co-op Fire December 1949
Spring Glen Co-op Fire December 1976
Milner [Benham] Retired the Second Longest
2016 Newsletter
December 1968:  Supt Wetmore Retires
December 1968:  Supt. Lostritto Appointed
New Town Historian
December 1946:  Very Busy Week for HFD

December 23, 2016


December 17, 1993:  36 Central Avenue
1981 Local 2687 Christmas Drive
Recollections of a Department Store Santa
Merry Christmas from Signal Hill

December 30, 2016


Firefighter Walter Vining (1939-2016)
Dec. 1965 - Two Two-Baggers in Two Days
     -  1188 Dixwell Avenue - Empire Kitchens
     -  39 Ives Street - House fire

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Unless otherwise cited or in the Public Domain,
all material on this website, including all original photos, essays, articles and commentary published herein, are Copyright © 2009-2025 by the Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc., and may not be copied or republished in whole or in part without prior written permission of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.

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