112-year-old Hamden volunteer fire company becomes inactive, donates station to town

Retirees Tom Doherty and Dave Johnson were guests of Platoon 4 at Station 3 this past weekend for some homemade pizza, courtesy of Ff. Dave Beaton (no one does it better than Dave!).  Thanks, Dave to you and your colleagues at 3s - great time!

Chief Ed Doiron Jr., of the Gainsville [MO] Fire Department, sent along a few pix taken by his dad years ago.  The Kopjanski photo was c. 1975, and could very well be from when Eddie K was transferred from Platoon 1 to Platoon 2, to even out the shifts when three new guys were hired in the summer of 1975.  Both pix may be enlarged by clicking on them.

 

 

HFRA SUMMER MEETING

Traditional pre-parade group photo of Department members, including several retirees.

Chief Jeff Naples and the marching contingent were greeted by Mayor Lauren Garrett and her children, Bobby and Abby, on what turned out to be a picture-perfect day.

 

For the past 43 years Hamden's Memorial Day Parade has begun at the Hamden High School and proceeded north.  Most of the time the parade route terminated at the town hall.  More recently it ended just past the reviewing stand situated opposite Evergreen Avenue. This year, the parade ended at the middle school where Memorial Day observances took place following the parade.

 

From the early 1950s until 1969, the parade route ran north on Dixwell Avenue from Highwood to the high school.  The first high school to town hall parade was held in 1970.  For the next ten years the parade ran both routes alternately, with the last Highwood to the high school parade occurring  in 1980.

 

For most of the last century, the Memorial Day Parade has provided the Department with an opportunity to honor the fallen soldiers, sailors, and marines who gave their lives to keep our country free.  May they rest in peace.

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All parade photos below, courtesy of Anna M. Johnson, may be enlarged with a CLICK.

Recruit Firefighter Michael McKnight and Recruit Ff/Paramedic Jean Nimba were officially sworn in to the Hamden Fire Department on Friday, May 26th.  CLICK HERE for more photos of the swearing in ceremony and the stories of these two new Hamden firefighters.

 
CLICK HERE to read more about what was arguably the Department's most challenging job ever.

CLICK HERE to watch the video.

 

There is life after retirement, and it's often an entirely different career.  When HFRA Pres. Bob Mordecai stopped by Bobby Viglione's barber shop for a haircut right after the New Year, he took a few photos of Bobby V indulging in his own post-fire department career, a career that he had long before his 2000 retirement after 31-years on the HFD.  In fact, many of us who worked with then-Captain Viglione often availed ourselves of his excellent tonsorial talents right in the fire station.

 

Bob M. recently suggested to your webmeister that it might be a nice idea to occasionally feature HFD retirees indulging in their post-retirement activities.  And what better way to inaugurate the idea than to feature Bobby V in the barber shop that he owns and operates on Route 80 in North Branford, where many of our retired brothers go to get the best haircut they'll ever experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Local 2687 FB posting:  April 6 - Many of our current and retired members were in attendance this evening for the induction of retired L2687 member Bob Anthony into the Connecticut Firefighter Hall of Fame.

Bob Anthony was the second President of International Association Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2687, and is the retiring Treasurer of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Assn. (UPFFA) of Connecticut.

 

 

 

Dues are considered "Donations"

Please Note:  Only for retired or former career

A message from Chief Jeffrey Naples to those who assisted North Haven Fire Department this past week.

 

 

Since 1918, over 325 career firefighters have served on the Hamden Fire Department. In this video, we remember the 125 known career members, including the pre-1942 volunteer chief officers and “paid drivers,” who have answered their last alarm. The retired members of the Hamden Fire Department will always remember those who served with us - and before us. This annual video update of "We Remember" for 2023 is dedicated to our friends and colleagues who are no longer with us - and to all firefighters everywhere.

Posted 12/26/2022

The Winter Meeting of the HFRA will be held at the Hamden Elks, 175 School Street, Thursday morning, January 12th starting at 9:00 a.m.

 

 

The key to the second floor was always available to the Station 2 officer in case of emergency.  In April 1988, the officer at Station 2 conducted a quick tour of the upstairs "Volunteers' Room" at Station 2.  A lot of history there!

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that – in accordance with a proclamation from President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. directing flags to be lowered throughout the country as a mark of solemn respect for victims of the mass shooting last night in Monterey Park, California – he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to fly at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on Thursday, January 26, 2023.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time.