Officer Promotions

During their April 2008 meeting the Board of Fire Commissioners approved Chief Crombie's recommendation to promote two firefighters to the rank of lieutenant and one lieutenant to the rank of captain.  Firefighter Mike Giroux was promoted to lieutenant of Engine 3 and Firefighter Steve Toffolon was promoted to lieutenant of Rescue 5 and the Rescue Squad.  Lieutenant John Hofmann was promoted to Captain of the Training Division.  Congratulations Mike, Steve and John!

Deputy Chief David W. Papp retired from the Department after 35 years of dedicated service.  Deputy Chief Papp joined the Department in March of 1973 and served in a wide variety of roles during his tenure.  In February of 1981 he was appointed Lieutenant of Company 2, where he led the Rescue Squad.  In August of 1986 he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Company 5.  He served as a Captain in the Training Division from 1989 to 1999, and as Captain of Company 2 from 1999 to 2002.  In 2002, he was promoted to Deputy Chief - Human Resources.  Deputy Chief Papp is certified as a Firefighter I, Airport Firefighter, Instructor I and Officer I.  He also represented South Windsor well as an Instructor with the Hartford County Fire School for many years.  The Department congratulates Deputy Chief Papp on his long list of accomplishments and thanks him for his many years of dedicated service to the Department and the Town of South Windsor.

On March 17, 2008, U.S. Representative John B. Larson presented the Department with signed tax abatement legislation and the pen that President Bush used to sign the bill into law.  The legislation, sponsored by Larson and inspired by former Mayor John Mitchell (pictured at far left), establishes a new law exempting municipal property tax abatements offered to volunteer firefighters from IRS income declarations.  In Connecticut, municipalities may provide tax abatements of up to $1,000 to taxpayers who serve as volunteer firefighters or emergency medical responders.  Prior to the passage of the new law, these abatements were subject to federal income tax.

Department Receives Donation of Pet Oxygen Masks

The Canine Fence Company & Invisible Fence Brand recently donated pet oxygen mask kits to the Department.  "We hope that by donating oxygen mask kits that we will continue to save more pets and hopefully protect pet owners that might risk their own life to save a pet in a fire," said Tracy Scarfi, Marketing Manager for The Canine Fence Company.  It is estimated that in 2006 more than 40,000 pets died in fires; most succumbed to smoke inhalation.  In most states emergency responders are not equipped to treat pets suffering from smoke inhalation.  The donation of these specially designed and potentially lifesaving pet oxygen mask sets will enable the firefighters to efficiently administer oxygen to stricken animals.

Other departments interested in this program can reach Tracy Scarfi from Canine Fence at (800) 818-3647, ext. 131, or tscarfi@caninefence.com.

Rob Sullivan Named 2007 Firefighter of the Year

During the Department's Annual Dinner, held on February 5, 2008, Lieutenant Dan Katzbek presented the 2007 Firefighter of the Year Award to Firefighter Rob Sullivan.  Sullivan first joined the Department's Explorer Post (Company 5) at age 14 and then became a member of Company 2, where he has served the Department as a firefighter for the past 11 years.  Commenting on Sullivan's reliability and dedication to the Department, Lt. Katzbek noted: "If I need something done, he gets it done."  Each year the Firefighter of the Year is selected by a unanimous decision of the six company lieutenants.

Commissioner William Mitchell Receives 2007 President's Award

Also during the Annual Dinner Fire Commissioner William Mitchell received the 2007 President's Award for his many years of service to the Department.  Commissioner Mitchell first joined the Department as a firefighter in 1964.  In 1971, he was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners and he has served as Chairman of the Board since 1975.

Roger Hildebrand Honored for 40 Years of Service

On November 10, 2007, a surprise reception was held to honor Roger Hildebrand for his 40 years of service to the Department.  Over the last four decades, Roger has served the Department as a firefighter, lieutenant, treasurer, public information officer, and photographer.  Congratulations Roger and thank you for your dedicated service to the Department and the Town of South Windsor.

57th Annual Hartford County Firefighters Memorial Service

On October 14, 2007, the Windsor Locks Fire Department hosted the 57th Annual Hartford County Fire Emergency Plan Memorial Service.  The memorial service, which is hosted by a different Hartford County fire department each year, honors firefighters in the County who died during the past year.  Firefighters from departments across Hartford County marched from Windsor Locks Fire Headquarters to St. Robert Bellarmine Church, where the service was held.  A listing of the deceased Hartford County firefighters honored at the service may be found here:  2006 - 2007 Roll Call.

Softball Team Wins C Division Championship Series

The Fire Department's softball team won the C Division Championship Series of the South Windsor Recreation Department's Adult Softball League on August 20, 2007.  The Department defeated General Digital by a score of 10 to 9 after scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.  This is the Department's first Championship Series victory in the team's 15 year history.  The Department finished the regular season in second place with 10 wins and 4 losses. Click on the following links for more information regarding the C Division regular season schedule/scores, standings, and playoff brackets.

Second Annual Paws in the Park

On May 5, 2007, the Department participated in the Second Annual Paws in the Park, at the Rotary Pavilion at Nevers Park.  The event, which was coordinated by the South Windsor Jaycees to benefit the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Inc., included a wide variety of attractions, including an obstacle course demonstration by Fidelco, search and rescue demonstrations, and contests for dogs to participate in throughout the day.

On May 4, 2007, officers from the Department joined officers from the Police Department, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, town officials and business leaders at the Community Center for a Kick-Off Celebration for Operation Triad and the Yellow Dot Program.

Operation Triad is a partnership of senior citizens, law enforcement agencies, and community support/protective services agencies working together to reduce the criminal victimization of older citizens and enhance the delivery of services to this population.

As part of the Triad program, the Yellow Dot Program helps facilitate the exchange of medical information to emergency services in the event of a motor vehicle accident.  A packet containing important information and a photo identification card for the operator is kept in the glove compartment.  A Yellow Dot is placed on the vehicle’s rear window to alert emergency personnel that the operator is a participant in the program and that information is available in the vehicle.