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1995 Special Olympics World Games
Fifteen years ago, the Town of Hamden hosted three of the several sports venues for the Special Olympics World Games. For over a year, the Hamden Fire Department, with the assistance of several other area fire departments, spent hundreds of hours preparing for the enormous ten-day increase in the town's population.
Safety Coordinator Batt. Chief Tom Doherty, assisted by Batt. Chief Mike Ambriscoe, headed the Games Organizing Committee's Safety Committee for the Hamden venues. Capts. Dave Johnson, Paul Wetmore, Jr., and Don LaBanca were charged with the planning and coordinating Fire Safety, Emergency Medical Services and Logistical operations, respectively, for Hamden's Safety Committee.
For more than a year before the start of the Games, and during ten days the Games were held, virtually all Hamden career and volunteer personnel contributed their time and effort to make the department's safety mission a success. Fire personnel from North Haven, Bethany, Cheshire, and Madison offered a tremendous amount of assistance as well.
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| The torch bearer of the Games Torch Run takes a break in front of the Hamden Mart to pose with fellow special olympians and members of the Hamden Fire Department. |
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| Members of the Games Torch Run pose on the front bumper of Truck One with B/C Mike Ambriscoe, Chief Paul Wetmore, Sr., and B/C Tom Doherty (far right), who was a Dep. Commissioner of the Games Organizing Committee |
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| Engine 3, the 1973 Maxim "Telesqurt," was Engine 10, stationed at Quinnipiac College. Engine 1, a 1968 Maxim, substituted for Engine 3 at Station 3 for the duration. |
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| Engine 10 went in service at Quinnipiac College on June 29, 1995. |
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| Engine 12 went in service at the Hamden Mart on June 29, 1995. |
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| Engine 9, the 1973 Maxim 1000 GPM foam truck, was Engine 12 throughout the World Games. It was stationed at the Hamden Mart. Cheshire's Engine 6 substituted for Engine 9 at Station 9 for the duration. |
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| July 1, 1995 - Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremonies at Yale Bowl - President Bill Clinton addresses the throng! |
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| Hamden Professional Firefighters, Local 2687 I.A.F.F. rented two billboards to welcome the Special Olympians. This billboard was on Whitney Avenue in northern Mt. Carmel. |
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| July 5, 1995 - Lt. Bob Mordecai, Ff. Ralph Dievert, Capt. Paul Wetmore, Capt. Don LaBanca (site captain), Ff. Mike Green, and B/C Tom Doherty at the Hamden Lanes. These were among the scores of HFD and other department members who volunteered to man the venues on their off-duty time. |
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| Outside Hamden Lanes the athletes get ready for competition. |
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| Competition! |
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All photos on this website not otherwise in the Public Domain, as well as all commentary,
are © Copyright 2009-10 by the Hamden Fire Retirees' Assn.
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