Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.

Staying Connected · Preserving Our Past

HOME

About Us

All Past Updates

Alumni

Apparatus

Calendars

Civil Defense

Communications-Dispatch

Fires & Other Emergencies

Fire Stations

Hamden C.E.R.T.

C.E.R.T.

Hamden Historical Society

Hamden Then & Now

HFD Shift Assignments

H.G.S.R.A.

Historical Notes

Index - Archives Articles

Mountain Rescue Team

Off Duty Time

Parades

Photos

Public Education

Rosters

Sparking Out

Special Events

Training

Videos

We Remember

Web Links

1995 World Games

M E M B E R S O N L Y

Patch Me In!

1973 - Three Patch Prototypes
1973 - Mid-1990s
With the transition from khaki to dark blue work uniforms in 1972, the Hamden Fire Department adopted a shoulder patch design for all work shirts, dress shirts, blouses, and reefers,  The cardboard prototypes (above) were found many years ago in a filing cabinet in the chief's office.  The designs are believed to have been those of Deputy Chief Daniel Hume, department training officer from 1956 until his retirement in 1973.

The original patch design was green and gold, the official town colors.  A mid-1990s modification added more colors.  "FIRE DEPT" became red on a white background, surrounded by a dark blue border.
Posted 4/8/11

Mid-1990s - Present
1973 photo of the town flag taken by Dep. Chief Daniel Hume for the new HFD patch design.
Retired Dep. Fire Chief Clark Hurlburt wrote regarding the patch story:

During the early 70s while working a summer job as a relief janitor at the town hall, I spotted Chief Leddy and Dep. Chief Hume heading for the rotunda with a polaroid camera.  Ever the nosy one where the FD was concerned I tagged along.  Their purpose was to photograph the seal on the center of the Town of Hamden flag on display in order to obtain a template for the new patch.  Chief Leddy and I held the flag out straight while D/C Hume took a couple of polaroids.  "So now you know the rest of the story"

We found those polaroids in the cache of patch prototypes.  The one at the left is most likely the photo that was copied for the patch prototypes.

Posted 4/15/11


COPYRIGHT NOTICE

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 © 2009-2026 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.

Official website of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc.

Website powered by Network Solutions®