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M E M B E R S O N L Y

Share Your Memories

Saturday, March 1, 1975
Shelton's Sponge Rubber Co. Fire

The great Sponge Rubber Co. Fire in Shelton brought apparatus from many area communities, including Hamden's Engine 3 Telesqurt.

Engine 3 responded under the command of Lieut Dave Herrmann of Platoon 2.  Bob Slater recalled recently that he was part of the day shift crew of Platoon 1 that relieved Engine 3's night crew of Platoon 2 at Shelton on the morning of March 2nd.  Other members of the relief crew included Lieut. Bill Hines, Firefighters Frank Kafka, Charlie Cargan, Ray Ramelli, and Bill Marak.

Bob noted that the following summer all of the out-of-town firefighters who responded to the Sponge Rubber Fire were invited back to Shelton, where the Shelton Volunteer Fire Department treated everyone to steak sandwiches and refreshments.

The venerable and now-obsolete positive piston pump proved its effectiveness the night of the fire.  Shelton's 1938 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper, drafting from the Housatonic River, supplied Engine 3 and several other pumpers.

Revised 5/4/11

1951 Photo of Ralph Rosson and Belle (Brainard)
Country Club Pharmacy Fire - 2/12/53

From Bob Slater:  "Just a note to let you know how much I enjoy the HFD Retiries Web site. The most recent newsletter brought back old memories.

"I can remember as a young child playing in my backyard on Augur Street and seeing Ralph Rossen and Belle going up Morris Street on the side of my house to a call on Morris St.

"I also remember and enjoyed going for an ice cream at the old Country Club Pharamacy before it burned down (those were the days)."


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Share Your Memories - Where were you when the tornado hit?

Whether you were already retired, or still on the job, or even if you are a currently-active Hamden firefighter who was still in grammar school, please share your memories of the Hamden tornado of Monday, July 10, 1989.  Email responses to the website at HFDbadge102@aol.com.

Replies will be posted on this new Share Your Memories page, which will be available for all retirees to share their favorite memories and experiences in the Hamden Fire Department.

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