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| 2023
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Important updates will be posted immediately.
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Last update: Monday, January 23, 2023 - 1356 hrs
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| Governor Lamont: Flags Lowered To Half-Staff in Honor of the Victims of the Mass Shooting in Monterey Park
(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.
CLICK HERE to read the Governor Lamont's complete proclamation.
Posted 1/23/23
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| Seated (L-R): Ralph Tortora, Jack Mordecai, Bob Viglione, Dave Strawhince, Bob Mordecai, John Spencer, and Jim Leddy; Standing (L-R): Dave Johnson, Bob Surprise, Mike DeLine Sr., George Edwards, Dave Berardesca, Ed Evers, Paul Frodel, Harold Mangler, Tom Doherty, Jeff Pechmann, Vic Mitchell, and Clark Hurlburt. (Photo by Fred Romano) CLICK TO ENLARGE |
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Last week, the Association had its Winter quarterly meeting at the Hamden Elks' Hall. With postage rates going up on January 22nd to 63¢ for a single first-class mailing, and with postage being one of the Association's biggest expenses, a by-law change to increase annual dues by $5 was voted unanimously. A final vote to change Article XI, Section 1 of the by-laws will take place at the April meeting. If the change passes, annual dues will be $20 starting in 2024, the first dues increase in ten years.
Longtime Association friend and former CETA employee in the Repair Shop and at Central, retired Sikorsky fire officer and Hamden Fire Commissioner Victor Mitchell was unanimously voted to Honorary Membership along with Betty Melillo, widow of Tony "Moonman" Melillo who passed away in October. A password-protected link to the meeting minutes - CLICK HERE.
Posted 1/16/2023
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A message from Chief Jeffrey Naples to those who assisted North Haven Fire Department this past week.
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40 Years Ago
Treadwell Industrial Park
(the first time)
295 Treadwell Street
January 4, 1983
CLICK HERE
Two news accounts of the January 4, 1983 general alarm fire at the Treadwell Office Park. Interviews with Chief V. Paul Leddy and several occupants. See quick glimpses of pump operator Paul Frodel and Art Heriot.
Originally posted 8/6/09
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1991 at Station 4
(CLICK the image to enlarge it)
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| September 27, 1991 - Engine 4 was a 1984 Pierce "Dash" 1000 g.p.m. pumper and Rescue 1 was a modular unit on a 1988 GMC chassis. That's Box 118 on the front of the station. Originally located on a pole at the corner of Whitney and Dixwell, it was re-located to the front of the firehouse in the early 1980s. The Gamewell alarm was removed in 1998. |
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The 2023 Edition of the Association's "We Remember" video has been posted.
Check it out.
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Watch "We Remember" (2023 Ed.)
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.
Corrected and reposted 3/20/2023
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North Haven Fire Department LODD
The Executive Board of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. deeply regrets to report the death of 22-year veteran North Haven Firefighter Matthias Wirtz (46), early Monday morning while fighting a house fire on Quinnipiac Avenue. We will keep our members and other website viewers apprised of further information as it becomes available.
Please keep Firefighter Wirtz's family and fellow members of the North Haven Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers at this very sad and difficult time.
CLICK HERE for Chief Naples' Dec. 26th message to HFD personnel
CLICK HERE for Chief Naples' January 3rd message to HFD personnel
Posted 12/26/2022
Revised 12/26/2022
Revised 12/29/2022
Revised 1/7/2023
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| Governor Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff in Honor of North Haven Firefighter Matthias Wirtz
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of North Haven Firefighter Matthias Wirtz, who died in the line of duty this morning while responding to a residential fire.
Flags should be lowered immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. 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. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.
“The passing of North Haven Firefighter Matthias Wirtz is heartbreaking, and we honor his bravery and courage in responding early this morning to a multi-alarm residential fire, where over a dozen people have become displaced,” Governor Lamont said. “This is particularly upsetting as it comes at a time of year when families and friends are gathering to celebrate the holiday season. His passing is a painful reminder that first responders work every single day of the year, 24 hours a day, and often miss holidays with their families in order to protect the people of our state. My heart is with his family, friends, and colleagues in the North Haven Fire Department.”
12/26/22 - 1729 hrs.
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Dues and Meeting Notice!
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.
FREE continental breakfast of Danish, donuts, juices, milk & coffee will be served.
Dues: Check, PayPal, or In-person
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For your convenience, and to save you the 63-cent* postage cost that becomes effective on January 22nd,
we are providing this PayPal button →
for remitting your $15 annual HFRA dues.
2023 dues cards will be given to paid-up members at the January 12th HFRA meeting, or mailed to them afterward.
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To HFRA Regular Members:
Your 2023 dues are due
Dues are considered "Donations"
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2023 HFRA DUES
Please Note: Only for retired or former career
members of the Hamden Fire Department.
Honorary Members are exempt.
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Humphrey Station Opened
January 1, 1913
According to a brief history published in the June 10, 1934 program for the Second Annual Hamden Firemen's Memorial Service, "On Jan. 1st, 1913, [the Humphrey fire company] moved into the present building which was built on a lot given to the Association by Mr. Mayo."
The Humphrey volunteers gave the building to the town in 1949, provided they would have exclusive use of the second floor in perpetuity. Station 2 underwent extensive renovations in 1951, converting it into a three-bay facility with the repair shop in the rear. It is presently undergoing yet another facelift.
Although the Humphrey fire company had not fought fires in over six decades, the company continued to flourish as a social organication until halfway through the last decade, when the company finally folded.
Back in July, Chief Gary Merwede, Mayor Lauren Garrett and Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut was contributing $8.5 million for the construction of a new Station 2 at the corner of Putnam Avenue and Gallagher Drive. The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2025. February 2025 will mark the 100th anniversary of the legislation that created the Hamden Fire Department.
CLICK HERE for more on the history of the Humphrey fire station and the Humphrey Volunteer H&L Co.2.
Reposted 1/1/2023
Posted 1/1/2013
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A Rare Look at the Upstairs at Station 2
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!
Posted 1/1/2013
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| Non-members may subscribe to HFRA archived web pages.
For a recommended $10 annual donation, non-HFRA members may access all HFRA archives, except the "Members Only" pages.
Donations help to defray website expenses.
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| We Remember (2023 Ed.) |
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HOME PAGE UPDATES
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| CLICK HERE: Official Local 2687 Website |
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NEVER FORGET!
We will always remember our brother firefighters who made the supreme sacrifice, and the thousands of other innocent victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Always keep them, their families and the FDNY in your thoughts and prayers.
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