|
The victims in Boston are in our thoughts and prayers.
Please keep them in yours.
| |
| Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. |
 |
| CLICK here for daily flag status |
|
|
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013
Website is updated every Friday - Important interim updates will be posted when necessary
|
 |
| CLICK to go to HGSRA webpage |
|
|
HFRA Spring Meeting at the Elks
About 20 members gathered at the Elks Hall last Tuesday, April 9th, for the 18th regular meeting of the Hamden Fire Retirees' Association. President Mark Barletta welcomed our old friend and colleague Ed Kopjanski to his first meeting. We'd been trying to find Ed for four years! Ed retired in 1984 after 26 years on the job. He and his wife Judy now live in Madison.
NOTE: Minutes of the April 9th meeting will not be published on the website at this time. Members wishing to receive the minutes should email the website: HFDBadge102@aol.com. Posted 4/12/13
|
 |
| Ed Kopjanski, Bobby Viglione, Mark Barletta and Ray Dobbs |
|
|
 |
| John Reynolds, John O'Dea, Ed Kopjanski, Gil Spencer, Bobby Viglione and Chick Manware |
|
|
 |
| Chick Manware, Harold Mangler, Tom Doherty, Richie Lostritto, and Augie Williams. Ray Dobbs, Jim Leddy and Ralph Purificato at the table in back. |
|
|
 |
| Richie Lostritto, Augie Williams, Brian Forsyth and Joe Yoga |
|
|
 |
| Mark Barletta and Dave Johnson |
|
|
April 1976
Thirty-seven years ago this month the second rescue, funded partly through Hamden's Unitas Club, was placed in service in conjunction with the certification of Hamden's first paramedics. Although this newspaper photo was shot at Station 4, the new Rescue 2 was placed in service at Station 2 on April 9, 1976.
Posted 4/12/13
|
 |
| Newspaper Article courtesy of Gil Spencer |
|
|
Reporter Joe Zeigler photographed 16-year old Chan Brainard on Co. 4's 1939 Diamond-T pumper with station mascot "Blackie" for an article that was published in July 15, 1954 edition of The Hamden Chronicle. The building to the far right is still standing. The building to the left is long gone - now a parking lot for Eli's on Whitney.
Note the SNET repair truck with the Bell System logo on the door, parked at the curb. Bell System vehicles were painted dark olive green until the late 1960s when they went white. Curbside parking on Whitney between School and Dixwell was permitted until the early 1970s.
Posted 4/12/13
|
 |
| Hamden Chronicle photo by Joe Zeigler |
|
|
|
A few weeks ago, the website ran a small item about the 1998 demise of the Gamewell telegraph fire alarm system in Hamden. Many municipalities today still employ Gamewell fire alarm street and master boxes. Below are a couple of pages from a 1930s Gamewell catalog, courtesy of Victor Mitchell, which show the Cleveland, Ohio Class "A" Gamewell alarm center. Each alarm circuit had its own tape register to record fire box locations when alarms were received, and the dispatcher then retransmitted the box to the appropriate stations. CFD must have had a man whose sole job was just to keep the tape registers and take up reels wound. More Gamewell catalog photos will be published here in the future.
Posted 4/12/13
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
HFRA Spring Meeting
NEXT Tuesday, April 9th, 5 p.m.
Hamden Elks' Lodge
175 School Street
Menu: Sausage & Pepper subs with spaghetti on the side - $6.00
Agenda: A by-law proposal to hold the quarterly meetings in the usual months
on the second Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday on a rotating basis.
|
 |
| May 1954 - Firefighter John O'Hare working a non-Hamden pumper at fire school (Photo courtesy of Local 2687) |
|
|
65 Years Ago
Flooded Hamden Homes
HFD's Wartime "Blitzbuggies" Pressed Into Service
|
 |
| The Hamden Chronicle - April 8, 1948 (Courtesy of the Hamden Historical Society) |
|
|
 |
| Arcadia Street - April 3, 1948 (I.A. Sneiderman photo courtesy of the Hamden Historical Society) |
|
|
|
The Office
32 Lee Street
Wednesday, April 3, 1963
Originally posted three years ago, we are recycling this story on the 50th anniversary of the fire.
(CLICK on the photo for the original posting)
|
 |
| Recruit Firefighter Leddy - 1941 |
|
|
 |
| Lieut. V. Paul Leddy - 1949 |
|
|
 |
| Chief V. Paul Leddy - 1968 |
|
|
Several years ago HFRA member Paul Wetmore, who served as chief of the department from 1993 to 1996, found some photos (c. 1941) of early career firefighters among his dad's memorabilia. Clem Wetmore, Paul's dad, served as Supt. of Alarms and Appparatus from 1941 until his retirement in 1968. Among Clem's photos was this one (far left) of recruit firefighter V. Paul Leddy, who served as chief of the department from 1960 until his 1984 retirement.
Posted 4/5/13
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
HAMDEN EARTH DAY
CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013
10 AM - 3 PM
Hamden Middle School
2623 Dixwell Avenue
PLEASE CLICK ON POSTER AT LEFT
Posted 4/5/13
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
HFRA Spring Meeting
Tuesday, April 9th, 5 p.m.
Hamden Elks' Lodge
175 School Street
Menu: Sausage & Pepper subs with spaghetti on the side - $6.00
Agenda: A by-law proposal to hold the quarterly meetings in the usual months
on the second Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday on a rotating basis.
Posted 3/29/13
| |
 |
| CLICK to enlarge |
|
|
The annual Communion Breakfast, a tradition at the Mt. Carmel Congregational Church, was attended by several members of the Hamden Fire Department on Palm Sunday, March 29, 1953. Those Hamden fire personnel who could be recognized from this Hamden Chronicle photo are Ff. Bill Hines (#1), Lt. Emil Strain (#2), and Lt. James Strain (#3). Rev. Joseph Peters (#4) was a Hamden Fire Department chaplain from 1950 until his retirement in 1970.
Posted 3/29/13
|
Spring 1972
Platoon 4 at Station 3 - Lt. Danny O'Connell's crew practiced rappeling from the two-year old Maxim 100' aerial ladder truck. The new dark blue work uniforms were just introduced, but khakis could still be worn until the following December 4th. Website thanks to Doug Yocher, who took these photos and many others that will be posted in the coming weeks.
CLICK on any photo to enlarge.
Posted 3/29/13
|
 |
| Ff. Bill Davin |
|
|
 |
| Ff. Ray Dobbs |
|
|
 |
| Ff. Ray Dobbs belaying for rappeling Ff. George Patten |
|
|
 |
| Ff. Joe Rahl rappels and Ff. George Patten belays |
|
|
 |
| Any Guesses? |
|
| Anyone want to guess who this guy is?
This photo was among about 20 other photos of early personnel acquired a few years back from former Chief Paul Wetmore, Sr., from the collection of his father, Clem Wetmore. Answer next week.
Posted 3/29/13
|
 |
| June 1982 - Firefighters Fred Knudsen and Brian Forsyth practice CPR at 3s. (Photo by John Tramontano) |
|
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
FIREFIGHTER CHARLES "CHAZ" CARGAN
1941 - 2013
|
 |
| Charles "Chaz" Cargan |
|
| It is with deep regret that we announce the passing on March 17th of our brother retiree, Charles "Chaz" Cargan. He was 71.
Charlie was a United States Army veteran, serving in the 225th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War era. He joined the Hamden Fire Department on October 8, 1968 and served for 33 years. Charlie was a dedicated and hard-working firefighter. A frequent attendee at HFRA meetings, he was well liked by all.
Funeral Services with Military Honors took place at the North Haven Funeral Home on Friday, March 22nd. A large contingent of active and retired department members stood honor guard.
The members of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association extend their condolences to Charlie's wife, Bonnie; his children, Chris, Keith and Reid; and the rest of the Cargan family.
Posted 3/20/13
|
Local 2687 Annual Dinner Honors Capt. John O'Dea
|
 |
| Retirees Bob Slater, John O'Dea and Mark Barletta |
|
|
Local 2687 honored Captain John O'Dea at their Annual Dinner last Saturday night at Laurel View Country Club. John retired last November 30th after serving nearly 32 years with the Department, and had been serving as the department training officer at the time of his retirement.
It is hoped that someone in attendance may have recorded John's farewell remarks, because they were among the best ever delivered. In a sometimes humorous, sometimes emotional address to his former colleagues, John praised and thanked those with whom he served during his 32 years on the job. Among the many he praised were two firefighters who, on separate occasions, were responsible for saving his life. You could have heard the proverbial pin drop.
One of John's many gifts is a great sense of humor, which is often self-deprecating. He noted that his unique style of speaking has been imitated often by others, but never as well as by Gary Merwede. Celebrating the often irreverent firehouse humor, John remarked, "I understand there is a video circulating out there of me in an interview," and confessed later that he had hoped it would be shown that evening.
|
Of course, John was referring to when Channel 8 interviewed him and fellow firefighter/paramedic Harold Prescher in 1995, after the two of them revived a pet cat following a house fire. The tape of the interview was later "doctored" at John's expense, but he laughed at it along with all the rest of us. That's the kind of guy John is.
John O'Dea will be missed on the job, but we wish him many happy and healthy years as a member of the HFRA.
The members of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association wish to thank Kevin Recca, Dave Beaton and all the other members of Local 2687 who organized this year's dinner for another fine time last Saturday night.
Posted 3/22/13
|
 |
| January 11, 1995 - This video is not quite the same as originally recorded off Channel 8 |
|
|
Other retirees (and some "actives") at the Annual Dinner
CLICK to enlarge any photo below
|
 |
| Tom Doherty, John's old boss at Station 4 and later his platoon commander, offers his congratulations. |
|
|
 |
| Harold Mangler, Kevin Recca and Mike Mordecai |
|
|
 |
| Mark Barletta, Harold Mangler, Mike Murray and Chickie Manware |
|
|
 |
| Eddy Doiron and Gil Spencer |
|
|
 |
| Tom Doherty, Bob Slater and John O'Hare |
|
|
 |
| Bob Stacy, Dave Johnson, Tom Doherty and B/C Sam DeBurra. |
|
|
 |
| Bob and Pam Stacy |
|
|
 |
| Katie and Mike Murray |
|
|
 |
| The New Haven Register, November 11, 1989 (CLICK to enlarge) |
|
| The Bike Rack
Skiff & Whitney, North Haven
Friday, November 10, 1989
From Mill River by the parkway, south to Short Hill Road, the Hamden-North Haven town line runs right down the middle of Whitney Avenue.
The Bike Rack was located on the south side of Skiff Street just east of Whitney, which meant that it was in North Haven. But when the 9-1-1 call was received at Central from a Hamden caller, Hamden responded with Engines 3 and 4, Truck 1 and Rescue 1. North Haven arrived shortly after Hamden and both towns extinguished the fire, which was well underway before the arrival of the first apparatus.
Hamden's Platoon 3, under the command of B/C Tom Doherty, was just finishing its third night. Tom recalled that his company officers that night were Capt. Mike Ambriscoe, Lieut. Don LaBanca and Lieut. Paul Wetmore, Jr.
The 1958 Maxim 75' ladder truck, seen in the newspaper photo at left, was acting as Truck 1 because the ladder on the 1970 Maxim 100' aerial truck had just been inspected and was deemed unsafe. The new Pierce 105' rear-mount aerial truck arrived a few months later.
This fire occurred just as The Bike Rack building was about to be taken by the State of Connecticut through eminent domain in order to widen Skiff Street. Ironically, following the fire the owner's insurance company actually had to pay to have a new building constructed on the site in order for the state to pay the owner a fair value for his property. The new building, apparently never occupied, was then acquired by the state and razed.
Posted 3/22/13
|
 |
| April 1962 - John O'Hare (standing 3rd from left) perennial coach of the HFD softball team, poses at the Admiral Street fire station in Allingtown with other fire department softball coaches who were preparing for the upcoming 1962 season. John, who joined fellow retirees at the Annual Dinner last Saturday night, coached and played on the team well into the 1970s. |
|
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
 |
| Sunday, March 17, 1985 - Uniform of the Day - You'll definitely see this guy on Saturday night if you're at Laurel View. |
|
|
Hamden Firefighters Honored for Below Grade Rescue
|
 |
| March 16, 1965 - CLICK to enlarge (Photo by I.A. Sneiderman) |
|
|
On March 16, 1965, Hamden Post 88 of the American Legion honored each of four Hamden firefighters with their Meritorious Award for the below grade rescue of a trapped workman following a road collapse on Skiff Street a few months earlier.
Honored were Lieut. Luke Tobin and rookie Firefighters Charles Carlson, Harold Mangler and Ed Doiron (not pictured), all three of whom began their careers on the Department the previous November.
|
American Legion Post 88 Meritorious Award recipients (L-R): Michael Iezzi, HPD Lieut. Daniel Liston, Frank Gamache, Ff. Charles Carlson, Ff. Harold Mangler, Lieut. Luke Tobin, Betsy Wollensack, and Comm. Charles Noonan. (Photo by I.A. Sneiderman)
Posted 3/15/13
|
1956 - Ff. Bill Hines Presents Prize to Poster Winner
|
 |
| c. 1955 - Ff. William S. Hines and Prize Winner (CLICK to enlarge) |
|
|
Sally Hines Rowe sent this newspaper clipping of her dad, Firefighter William Hines, presenting a $15 prize to eighth grade poster winner, David Carlson, of Margaret L. Keefe School grammar school.
The exact date of the photo is unknown, but it was mostly likely shot sometime during the 1955-56 school year - after the November town election. First Selectman Herbert Hume, one of the judges of the poster contest, was elected in November 1955. And June 1956 marked the end of the 7th and 8th grades at Margaret L. Keefe and all other Hamden elementary schools. That was also the last time the high school would have "freshmen" until the 1980s. In September 1956, all Hamden 7th, 8th and 9th grade students began attending the new Michael J. Whalen Jr. High School (later the Hamden Middle School) on Newhall Street.
Also in 1956, Ff. Hines became Lt. Hines. A really great guy with a keen sense of humor, Bill served on the department from 1946 until his passing in 1979.
Posted 3/15/13
|
15 Years Ago: The End of an Era
|
 |
| Very early example of Gamewell street alarm box |
|
|
 |
| The New Haven Register, March 16, 1998 (CLICK to enlarge) |
|
|
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
The HOME page contains postings from the past FOUR weeks only.
All previous weekly updates, from April 1, 2011 on, may be viewed by going
to the menu tab "HOME (Archived)."
Articles about fires and other major incidents can be retrieved from the "Action!" tab.
Other articles may be retrieved by going to the "Past Articles" tab.
|
|
 |
| CLICK here to visit the official website of the Hamden Professional Firefighters, Local 2687, I.A.F.F. |
|
|
|
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 eleven years ago on September 11, 2001.
Always keep them, their families and the FDNY in your thoughts and prayers.
|
|
