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South Windsor High School "It Takes One" Program On April 16, 2014, the Fire Department, along with personnel from the Police Department, South Windsor Ambulance, Ambulance Service of Manchester and Life Star, participated in a simulated motor vehicle accident, extrication and Life Star landing for South Windsor High School's "It Takes One" program. The program is designed to teach students about the devastating impact of distracted driving and driving while impaired. Thank you to FF Jeff Futtner for coordinating the Department's involvement in this important program. Click Here for Pictures from the Simulated Accident |
2013 Events:
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Department Hosts Fundraiser for Family On December 27, 2013, the Department hosted a pasta dinner to raise funds for the Gness family, who lost their home to fire on December 18th. The dinner raised over $7,000. Thank you to everyone who made the event such a success, including those who assisted with the dinner, attended or made donations. Special thanks to the local businesses that donated to the event: Maneeley's Banquet and Catering; Carla's Pasta; HPC Food Services; Sysco; Geissler's Supermarket; and Nassau's Weekend Warehouse. Best wishes to the Gness family as they recover from their loss. |
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SWFD HG Participates in Wreaths Across America
On December 14, 2013, the Fire Department's Honor Guard joined flag teams from American Legion Post 133 to present the colors during South Windsor's Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Wreath laying ceremonies were conducted at Arlington National Cemetery and in communities across the Nation to honor and remember our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. The SWFD HG was honored to participate in this important ceremony. A video of the ceremony may be found here.
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Emergency of Hunger Food Drive On November 16 and 17, 2013, the Fire Department joined the Police Department, South Windsor Ambulance Corps, Rotary Club, South Windsor Human Services, TRIAD, the High School Interact Club, Stop & Shop, Geisslers and others to collect food items and donations for the South Windsor Food Bank. Proceeds from the drive help those in need during the holiday season. Volunteers collected 220 boxes of food and $3,000.00 in cash and gift cards.
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Department Celebrates 75th Anniversary, Hosts Connecticut State Firefighters Convention and Parade
In September 2013, the Department celebrated its 75th Anniversary of volunteer service to the Town of South Windsor. As part of its celebration, the Department also hosted the 130th Annual Connecticut State Firefighters Association Convention and Parade. Activities included a Stop, Drop and Roll 5k Challenge, an old time firefighters' muster competition, a town wide picnic and celebration and a parade that included over 100 fire apparatus and fire units from all across Connecticut. We had a great turnout by the public and all of the events were a tremendous success! Special thanks to all of the Department members and families, volunteers, businesses, donors and others who made the celebration such a success! |
| For more information about the celebration, including photos from the events, please visit our 75th Anniversary Website and our 75th Anniversary Facebook page. | |
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Department Recognizes Its Members at Annual Dinner On February 5, 2013, the Department held its Annual Dinner. During the dinner, the Department recognized several members for their several years of service to the Department. |
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Spirit Award Presented to Lieutenant Craig Piacentini
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State of Conn. Recognizes Storm Sandy Response Crew In October 2012, Engine 2 and a crew from the Department was dispatched to the shoreline to assist towns affected by Storm Sandy. During the Department's Annual Dinner, the Department and the Engine 2 crew received a Unit Citation from the State of Connecticut recognizing their assistance. |
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Lieutenant Craig Piacentini received the Doug Warren Spirit Award during the Annual Dinner. Craig currently serves as Lieutenant of Company Three, and he has held several leadership roles in the Department since he joined in 1982. He has a passion for the fire service and single-handedly maintains Engine One, a 1938 Diamond-T Maxim and the Department's first newly purchased engine. Each year the Spirit Award is presented to a member of the Department who has a giving spirit and who brings the true meaning of community to the Department and the Town.2012 Events:
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Honor Guard Presents the Colors at Fenway Park On August 1, 2012, the South Windsor Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors at Fenway Park, prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers. This was the Honor Guard's third appearance at Fenway. The Honor Guard was formed in 2009 for the purpose of representing the Department at various events, including parades, receptions, funerals, wakes, memorial services, and other ceremonies where the colors are presented.
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Kevin E. Cooney Sworn In As Fire Chief In a ceremony at Maneeley's Lodge on July 13, 2012, Kevin E. Cooney was sworn in as Fire Chief. Town Clerk Lori Trahan presided over the swearing-in, and Mayor Tom Delnicki and Deputy Chief Patrick Hankard (Ret.) presented Chief Cooney with his helmet. The Department's Honor Guard, the Connecticut Statewide Honor Guard and the Manchester Fire/Rescue/EMS Honor Guard, lead by the Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums, presented the colors for the event. Chief Cooney served as commander of each of the three honor guards before he was appointed as Chief. Over 250 friends, family, fellow firefighters, dignitaries and others attended the event. Congratulations Chief Cooney and good luck in your new role! |
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Car Wash Benefits Douglas A. Warren Scholarship On June 30, 2012, the Explorer Post held a car wash at Fire Headquarters to raise money to fund the Douglas A. Warren Scholarship fund. Each year the Department awards a scholarship to one or more students graduating from South Windsor High School. Doug Warren was an active firefighter with the Department for over 26 years, and was an advisor to the Explorer Post for more than 10 years. |
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Second Annual Department Golf Tournament
The Department hosted its Second Annual Golf Tournament on June 28, 2012, at Topstone Golf Course. The scramble tournamentincluded a shot-gun start, lunch on the course, and cocktails, dinner, a raffle and a silent auction at Maneeley's Lodge after play. Proceeds from the Tournament will be used to support events scheduled for September 2013 to commemorate the Department's 75th Anniversary, including a firefighters' muster competition, a town-wide picnic and a parade. Thank you to the golfers, sponsors and volunteers for making the Tournament a success! |
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Chief Crombie Honored at Reception On June 15, 2012, Chief Philip E. Crombie, Jr. was honored for his 40 years of service to the Department at a reception at Maneeley's. Chief Crombie, who will retire on June 30, 2012, first joined the Department's Explorer Post in 1972, before becoming a firefighter assigned to Company One in 1975. Crombie was promoted to lieutenant in 1979, and later Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief before assuming his role as Chief of the Department for the past 10 years. Thank you Chief Crombie for your dedicated service to the Department, and best wishes in retirement!
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Department Participates In Broken Dreams Program In March, the Rescue Squad and other members of the Department participated in a mock motor vehicle accident and extrication involving students from South Windsor High School. The mock accident and extrication was filmed for the Broken Dreams program put on by the High School every two years for the Junior and Senior classes. The program is designed to educate students on the serious consequences of making poor decisions while driving. |
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The Broken Dreams program took place at the High School on April 24th and 25th. On the first day of the program, members of the Department read obituaries of students involved in the mock accident to Juniors and Seniors. On the second day, students and their parents viewed the film of the mock accident and extrication, and listened to presentations by guest speakers from the Fire Department, the Police Department and medical personnel. |
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Larry Skilton Retires After Over 52 Years of Service On March 11, 2012, Deputy Chief Larry Skilton retired from the Department after over 52 years of dedication to the volunteer fire service, including over 42 years of service to the Department. Larry started his career as a member of the Morris Volunteer Fire Department from 1958 to 1969. In 1969, he joined the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department and was assigned to Company 3. Larry served as a lieutenant of all three companies and as Captain of Company 1 before being promoted to Deputy Chief in 1982. As Deputy Chief, Larry was responsible for the pre-fire planning of the large commercial and high occupancy buildings in town. Larry fostered the advancement of the fire service as a member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and the Hartford County Fire Emergency Plan. Larry's commitment to the fire service and the Department has been an inspiration to us all. Congratulations Larry and thank you for your dedicated service to the Department and the Town of South Windsor. |
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Department Honors Its Own At Annual Dinner During its Annual Dinner, on February 7, 2012, the Department presented service awards to its members. Firefighters Nick Kasheta, Chris Tsoronis and Jeff Futtner received pins for five years of service. Lieutenant Adam Chilberg and Firefighters Mark Devanney and Rob Sullivan received pins for 15 years of service. Lieutenant Carlo Piacentini and Firefighter Keith Reynolds received pins for 20 years of service. Deputy Chief Brian Peck and Captain Chris Hack received pins for 25 years of service. Firefighter Craig Piacentini and Andy Nielson received pins for 30 years of service, and Roger Hildebrand received a pin for 45 years of service. Firefighter Dan Connelly received an award for his years of service as the Department's Treasurer. |
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Spirit Award Presented to Firefighter Jay Murtha
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Photos Courtesy of Reminder News |
Board of Fire Commissioners Appoints Firefighter Kevin Cooney As Next Chief On February 3, 2012, the Board of Fire Commissioners appointed Firefighter Kevin Cooney as the Department's next Chief, effective July 1, 2012. In August 2011, Chief Philip Crombie announced his plans to retire. The Board of Fire Commissioners, with the assistance of fire chiefs from area fire departments, engaged in an extensive application and review process of five candidates before appointing Kevin to the position. Kevin joined the Department's Explorer Post at age 14 and has been a member of the Department ever since. He has served the Department in several capacities, including as Lieutenant, Captain, Commander of the Honor Guard and President and Secretary of the social organization. Congratulations Chief and best wishes in your new role! Chief Crombie, who has served as the Department's Chief for the past 10 years and in other staff positions prior to becoming Chief, will retire on June 30, 2012. The Department thanks Chief Crombie for his leadership and wishes him well in retirement. |
2011 Events:
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Stuff-A-Truck Food and Toy Drive The Fire Department, South Windsor Police Department and South Windsor Ambulance Corp participated in a "Stuff-A-Truck" food and toy drive at Stop & Shop on December 10, 2011. Food, toys and games were donated to local families in need over the holidays.
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| First Annual Department Golf Tournament
The Department held its First Annual Golf Tournament on September 19, 2011, at Topstone Golf Course. The scramble tournamentincluded a shot-gun start, lunch on the course, and cocktails, dinner, a raffle and a silent auction at Maneeley's Lodge after play. Prizes were awarded for the top foursomes, longest drives and closest to the pin. Over 40 local businesses sponsored the Tournament and 81 golfers participated. Proceeds from the Tournament will be used to support events scheduled for September 2013 to commemorate the Department's 75th Anniversary, including a firefighters' muster competition, a town-wide picnic and a parade. |
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Thank you to all of our sponsors, golfers and volunteers for helping make our First Annual Golf Tournament a success! Check this site next Spring for information about our 2012 tournament. |
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Paws in the Park On May 14, 2011, the Department participated in the 6th Annual Paws in the Park at the Rotary Pavilion in Nevers Park. The event, which benefited the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation and South Windsor Bark Park, featured activities and events for kids and pets alike, including dog contests, live music, a moon bounce, face painting, crafts and games. Teresa LaBarbera from News 8 and Mark Dixon from Eyewitness News were among the special guests who attended. |
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Honor Guard Presents the Colors at Fenway Park On May 6, 2011, the South Windsor Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors at Fenway Park, prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. The Honor Guard was formed in 2009 for the purpose of representing the Department at various events, including parades, funerals, wakes, memorial services, and other ceremonies where the colors are presented. |
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Station 3 & Ambulance Facility Dedication and Open House The Department and the South Windsor Ambulance Corps. hosted a dedication and open house for the new Station 3 & Ambulance Facility on West Road on May 1, 2011. The event was open to the public and provided attendees an opportunity to tour the facility and meet fire and ambulance personnel. In addition, all of the Department's fire apparatus and the Ambulance Corps. equipment was on display. The new facility provides much needed space for the Department and the Ambulance Corps. and will serve the Town well in the years to come. |
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Rescue Squad Training at "The Rock" Members of the Department's Rescue Squad participated in the 29th Annual Lt. James Curran Memorial Training Seminar on April 2, 2011, at FDNY's training facility at Randall's Island, New York City, also known as "The Rock". FDNY officers provided training sessions on heavy vehicle rescue and fire apparatus extrication, engine company operations and tactics, and tactics and procedures for private dwelling fires. Click on the photo to the right for additional photos from the seminar. |
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Spirit Award Presented to Firefighter Robin Pendelton During the Annual Dinner Firefighter Robin "Packi" Pendelton received the Doug A. Warren Spirit Award. Each year the Award is presented to a member of the Department who has a giving spirit and who brings the true meaning of community to the Department and the Town. Packi makes sure that the holiday season is special by coordinating the Department's participation in area "torchlight" parades and family holiday parties. |
