WFD Memorial Day Parade

Westfield Fire will host the 118th annual Westfield Memorial Day Parade on Sunday May 26th starting at 2:00 p.m.  The parade will originate at the Westfield Fire Department at 653 East Street and proceed north on East Street to the East Street Cemetery.  From there, the parade will turn around and proceed south on East Street onto Miner Street and into the Miner Street Cemetery where a ceremoney will be held.  Following the ceremony the parade will recommence and proceed back up Miner Street to the Westfield firehouse where the WFD will host parade participants with hot dogs, beverages and ice cream. 

All marching units should be in place at the WFD and ready to march no later than 1:45 p.m.

Westfield District Budget Meeting

WESTFIELD FIRE DISTRICT

of the City of Middletown

653 East Street

Middletown CT 06457

 

LEGAL NOTICE

Call for the Budget Meeting of the Westfield Fire District of the City of Middletown;

The budget meeting of the Westfield Fire District will be held on May 14, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. at the Westfield Fire Department, 653 East Street, Middletown CT.

All inhabitants living within the limit of said Fire District for six months and qualified as electors of the City of Middletown are members of said Fire District and are eligible to vote at said meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is:

1) to adopt the proposed budget and set a mill rate for fiscal year July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.

2) To approve the Fire District entering into a contract to purchase a replacement for #3 Rescue vehicle with a value not to exceed $700,000.  Secure funding for said vehicle not to exceed $600,000.

3) To transact any and all business which may properly come before said meeting.

Ross Andrew, Jr.
Chairman
The Westfield Fire District
of the City of Middletown

Condolences to Life Member Dave Conant

It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that the Westfield Fire Department announces the passing of Mimi Conant, wife of the Department's Fire Police Captain and life member Dave Conant.  Mimi passed very early this morning.  Further information will be provided as it becomes available and with the family's wishes.

Bruins Fans Belt it Out!!

Click the link to see Boston Bruins fans belt out the National Anthem last night - and see former Westfield firefighter Kevin Geraci who was at the game...

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-air/as-seen-on/203519571.html

WFD 2013 Banquet a Grand Success!

Westfield Fire held its 2013 banquet on Saturday April 6th at the Pavillion at Crystal Lake (Falcon's Club).  Chief John Lockwood and Commissioner Ross Andrew, Jr. kicked off the festivities and life member Ed Dypa offered the benediction.  The banquet was particularly special this year with the recognition of Tom Flynn's 75 years of active service to the Department.  Tom's 3 sons and their significant-others were on-hand to share the special evening with their father.  Special thanks to DC Bill Balch and Lt. Geoff DeFrancesco who co-chaired this event!

Service to the Department:
Matthew Caffrey was given a plaque for his service as an officer.

Alysia Bonviso and FF Matt Caffrey

Years of Service awards:
75 years: Tom Flynn
60 years: Robert Bumstead
30 years: Devin Darley, Robert Zieller
25 years: John Lockwood, Joe Passamano, Rick Comshaw
20 years: Daniel Barone
15 years: Jeff Daniels
10 years: Lisa DeJohn, Scott Hall, Kelly Brunell
5 years: Eric Lupone

Tom Flynn Day:
Mayor Dan Drew presented Tom Flynn with a proclamation from the City of Middletown announcing that Sunday May 7, 2013 would officially be "Tom Flynn Day" in the City in honor of Tom's 75 years of active service to the Westfield Fire Department.  Additionally, Chief John Lockwood presented Tom with a plaque from the Department.

Mayor Drew, Chief Lockwood and Tom Flynn

Challenge Coins:
This year was the first time Challenge Coins were presented.  15 current and former chiefs and 5 members were the first recipients of what will now be a yearly tradition.  The 15 current and former chiefs represented 591 years of active service to the Westfield Fire Department!  The receiving members were: Dana Andrew, Ross Andrew, Jr., Joe Augeri, Bill Balch, Robert Bumstead, Tom Flynn, Burt Hale, Sid Harmon, Art Higgins, Matt Holmes, Stephen Hughes, Fred Jones, Bill King, Luke Kennedy, John Lockwood, Jason Lubee, Joe Passamano, Jake Peterson, Robert Peterson, and Darrell Ponzio.

Challenge Coin Recipients

Fire Chief's Award:
Also new this year, this award comes from the Office of the Chiefs to recognize a member who has provided significant assistance to the chiefs throughout the year.  The inaugural recipient was Darrell Ponzio.  Chief Lockwood recognized Darrell for his skill with the English language, however Darrell was left almost speechless when asked to say a few words after receiving the award!

DC Bill Balch, Mayor Dan Drew, Fire Chief's Award
recipient Darrell Ponzio, Chief John Lockwood and
AC Stephen Hughes

Firefighter of the Year:
Probably the most coveted of the Department's awards, this years recipient was James Figueroa.  Fig has quickly become a fixture in the Department and has shown his passion for the fire service through the achievement of his fire and EMS certifications and through his admirable attendance record at calls and Department events.  Congratulations Fig!

AC Stephen Hughes, Chief John Lockwood,
FFOY recipent James Figueroa and
DC Bill Balch

2013 Annual District Meeting Held

The 2013 Westfield Fire District's annual meeting was held at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 5 at the Westfield Fire Department.  A large crowd filled the upstairs meeting room for the session which was officially opened at approximately 8:20 p.m.  The start was delayed to allow the large number of attendees to  go through the check-in process and to allow firefighters to return from a motor vehicle accident on I91.   Among the agenda items included a vote for 3 of the 9 commissioners with the long-time incumbent, Ross Andrew, Jr. running against Daniel Barone.  Prior to the vote, Mr. Andrew explained to those in attendance that the commission is composed of 9 members who hold overlapping 3-year terms.  In each triennial election, one of the three positions is filled by a Westfield firefighter.  With both Daniel Barone and Ross Andrew being members of the Westfield Fire Department, only one of the two could be voted in as a commissioner and thus they were forced to run against each other.  The final vote was 48 - 38 in favor of Ross Andrew, Jr.  In the second vote of the evening, residents were asked to vote on the approval of $1.5 million in bonding or financing to purchase new apparatus.  Commissioner Ted Bysiewicz offered some details behind the need to secure financing given the District's history of making capital purchases with cash.  The final vote was 78 for and 10 against.

Westfield Responds to Worker on Miner Street

Westfield Fire was called out to a working structure fire at 126 Miner Street at 00:14 on Saturday February 26.  Engine 2 was first due and reported heavy smoke and fire showing.  They also reported one resident who had bailed out a 2nd story window with resulting injuries and confirmed with the resident that nobody else was inside.  Hunter's Ambulance managed patient care.  Lieutenant Matt Holmes took command and eventually transferred to Chief John Lockwood on his arrival.  With Westfield 4 arriving shortly after Engine 2, initial ventilation and fire attack commenced.  Crews from Middletown, South Fire, Cromwell, East Berlin, and Portland arrived on scene along with Westfield 6 to provide secondary attack lines, master stream suppression, ventilation and overhaul.  Middlefield, Portland, Durham and Haddam provided station coverage for the city.  Middletown PD also assisted by closing Miner Street between East Street and Smith Street for the duration of the call.

With temperatures around 15-degrees and a house that was built in the late 1700's or early 1800's, efforts to operate were made even more difficult than usual, however the fire was knocked down in about an hour.  Crews remained for overhaul and mop-up until about 09:00 and the Westfield and State Fire Marshal's offices remained on-scene until about midday to complete their initial investigation as to cause and origin.  No firefighters were injured in the incident. Excellent work by all Westfield and mutual aid firefighters and EMS personnel!  Photos seen here are courtesy of Deputy Chief Frank Papa of the Newington Fire Department - click here to see his site on SmugMug.

Call for the Annual Meeting of the Westfield Fire District of the City of Middletown

Call for the Annual Meeting of the Westfield Fire District of the City of Middletown;

The annual meeting of the Westfield Fire District, City of Middletown will be held on February 5, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. at the Westfield Fire Department, 653 East Street, Middletown CT.  All inhabitants living within the limits of said Fire District for six months and qualified as electors of the City of Middletown are members of said Fire District and are eligible to vote at said meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is:
1) To elect three (3) Commissioners for a term of three (3) years beginning on February 6, 2013.  Candidates applying for the position:
Ross Andrew, Jr.
George King
Thaddeus Bysiewicz
Daniel Barone

2) Approve bonding or financing to replace the Rescue and an Engine apparatus in the amount of $1.5 million.

3) To transact any and all business which may properly come before said meeting.

Ross Andrew, Jr.
Chairman
The Westfield Fire District
of the City of Middletown

First Annual Fund Drive a Success!

In the fall the Westfield Fire Department mailed its first annual fundraising letter to residents in the Westfield Fire District.  Having never done a fundraiser by mail before, we were unsure how successful it might be.  "We were amazed by the response from residents in the Distirct.  The support we received from those we serve was tremendous and for that we are extremely humbled and appreciative." said Chief John Lockwood.  The volume of responses and funds raised exceeded all expectations.  The Department plans to use the funds for equipment, training, recruiting and retention.

Support our Brothers in West Webster NY

Anyone interested in providing some financial support to the families of the firefighters lost in West Webster NY on Christmas Eve may want to check out the following link:

http://jobshirtstore.com/wwfd/Products

There are 2 styles to choose from and each shirt is $20. All the proceeds go to the families of the victims.