News

Back To Basics Training: Forcible Entry (Sunday, March 9, 2025)

Sandy Hook VFR memembers spent the morning of Sunday, March 9, training with MissionCIT, whose instructors lectured on forcible entry.

Back To Basics Training: Airpacks (Sunday, January 12, 2025)

Sandy Hook VFR started the new year with its first training session of the month, led by MissionCIT Instructors Bill Stacey and Tim DeBaise. The focus was on airpacks.

Members began with a brief classroom session, during which they went over the equipment and uses in different scenarios.

Wildfire Alert-Outside Fire Ban Reminder

Wildfire smoke is going to be seen and smelled locally today and probably tomorrow, the result of a massive wildfire in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where crews have been working for more than 24 hours.

SHVFR Firefighter-Fire Police Shannon Will (left) and Engineer Leslie Richards (second from left) shared a table with members of Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps for the annual Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity Halloween Walk. Dozens of children met first responders, showed off their Halloween costumes, and selected from candy and non-candy treats.

Bill Glass photo

Bill Glass photo

Bill Glass photo

Paloian Receives Award Of Merit

SHVFR Lieutenant Archie Paloian was presented an award of merit by the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, September 21 at West Haven High School.

Paloian received the Citation For Meritorious Service in recognition of “rendering a service beyond the ordinary course of duty.” On July 14, Paloian was the first to arrive at a home on Alpine Drive, where an elderly woman was unable to get out on her own while a fire burned around her. Paloian got the woman out of the home, and then returned with a fire extinguisher and knocked down the worst of the fire.

The woman was then transported to the burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital. Local officials learned later in the day she had succumbed to her wounds.

Members of Sandy Hook VFR joined Paloian in attending the state convention business meeting. SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello presented the award to Paloian.

Awards of Merit were also presented to a group of West Haven firefighters and police officers who helped save twin toddlers from being drowned by their father in February, and Orange Volunteer Fire Department Chaplain and Firefighter Tom Bartiss, who with another bystander performed CPR on a boy who had collapsed near a pool while Bartiss was vacationing in Cancun earlier this year.

EMS Captain and Treasurer Karin Halstead was re-elected CSFA Second Vice President during the same meeting.

SHVFR Lieutenant Archie Paloian holds his Award of Merit following the Connecticut State Firefighters Association business meeting on September 21. Joining him, from left, is Assistant Treasurer John Jeltema, First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan, President Bradley Richardson, Chief Anthony Capozziello, and Karin Halstead.

Best Fire Department In Hometown Parade

Sandy Hook VFR celebrated Labor Day by appearing in our hometown parade, and returned home with another Best Fire Department title.

Fourth Straight Best Overall Parade Win

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company went 4-for-4 on Friday, August 16, winning its third Best Overall title in as many Connecticut Parade Marshals Association events this season.

Sandy Hook Picks Up Third Straight Best Overall Win

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company went 3-for-3 on Saturday, August 3, winning its third Best Overall title in as many Connecticut Parade Marshals Association (CPMA) events this season. The third win came following the Thomaston Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Firefighters Parade.

Sandy Hook continues to defend its CPMA State Championship, won for the first time during the 2023 season.

Church Hill Road Overpass Renamed To Honor Chief Halstead

State Representative Marty Foncello, State Senator Tony Hwang, and State Representative Mitch Bolinsky unveil a facsimile sign announcing the new name for the Church Hill Road-I 84 overpass. (Newtown Bee/Bill Glass photo)

Local and state officials joined Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company (SHVFR) and members of the late Chief Bill Halstead’s family on July 20 to dedicate a local bridge in honor of our late fire chief.

Chief Halstead died unexpectedly on July 8, 2022. He was 73. A lifelong resident of Sandy Hook, he had been a member of SHVFR for over 57 years, carrying on the legacy of his family members, including his mother, father, brother, and numerous aunts and uncles. He joined the department in January 1965 when he turned 16. He had served continuously as chief of the department for 44 years after being elected to the position in 1978.

Chief Halstead had also worked for the State of Connecticut at Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown for 25 years. He was the chief of the hospital’s fire department until his retirement in 1997.

He also served as Deputy Fire Marshal for the Town of Newtown from 1983 to 2001, and became the full-time Marshal in 2001 until he retired from that position in 2016. He also served as Newtown’s Emergency Management Director for 23 years.

On July 20, Bridge No 00505, which carries State Route 6/Church Hill Road over I-84, was formally renamed The Chief William T. Halstead Memorial Bridge. A pair of signs have been installed on Church Hill Road, one in each direction, announcing the new name.

State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Marty Foncello, State Senator Tony Hwang, Newtown First Selectman Jeff Capeci and Newtown Poet Laureate Lauren Cross all spoke during Saturday’s event.

SHVFR EMS Captain Karin Halstead spoke for the fire company; Deb Halstead, Chief’s widow, also spoke.

Approximately 150 guests joined the fire company and its Ladies Auxiliary for the ceremony. Many remained after the presentation to enjoy light refreshments and share memories and socialize.

and here: A Firefighter’s House: An Elegy For SHVFR Chief William Halstead

EMS Captain Karin Halstead speaking during the event. (Newtown Bee/Bill Glass photo)

Deb Halstead and Chief Anthony Capoziello (Newtown Bee/Bill Glass photo)

Training: Ladder & Exterior Ops

Another great night of training, this time ladder and exterior ops, with Mission CIT.

Working with SHVFR’s Training Committee, CIT Instructors Bret Newport and Pat O’Shea opened the July 22 training with a quick briefing in our meeting room. The leaders went over different structure fire scenarios before moving everyone outdoors, where they had opportunities to work at multiple stations.

Firefighters worked on hose lines, setting up and breaking down hydrants, working with Quint 400 and its lines, and pumping water through Engine 441 and Tanker 449.