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Recent Calls

Injured Hiker Rescued From Lower Paugussett (Tuesday, July 1, 2025)

Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched at 11:25 to Lower Paugussett State Forest for an injured hiker. First responders were told a 56-year-old female had fallen and may have broken a bone. She was conscious and alert but the injured area was beginning to swell. 

The hiker was approximately 1.25 miles into the forest along its Blue Zoar Trail. Boat access was being suggested as well. SHVFR Rescue 444 and Engine 442 responded with a crew. 

SHVFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan was in command, and requested NUSAR and Hook & Ladder be added to the assignment. Both responded with boats. 

NVAC staged at Eichler’s Cove. 

Firefighters began walking the Blue Trail into the forest. CT DEEP was also notified of the incident. 

Contact with the patient was made around 12:07. She was transported via NUSAR’s boat to Eichler’s Cove. A medic was requested for pain management. 

The patient was loaded into an ambulance and checked by the medic, who was able to downgrade her status to BLS. 

Patient was transported and all units cleared from the area by 13:04. 

Driver Uninjured After Full Vehicle Fire (Monday, February 10, 2025)

Sandy Hook VFR was dispatched at 22:45 Monday, February 10 to Berkshire Road in front of its substation for a reported car fire. Firefighters were informed that the driver of a vehicle was reporting the car on fire, with the driver safely out of the vehicle.

Second Assistant Chief Rob Sibley was first on the scene and confirmed a fully involved vehicle. The 2017 Hyundai Tucson came to a rest just in from the westbound travel lane on Berkshire Road, onto Nighthawk Lane.

SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello assumed command upon his arrival.

Tanker 49 and Engine 441 responded with crews. Firefighters knocked down the fire, and requested a Public Works truck to sand the road.

A flatbed was required to pick up and remove the vehicle from the scene.

Sandy Hook cleared at 12:30 am Tuesday, February 11. 

Chief Capozziello on the hose line.

Driver Very Lucky After Tree Crashes On Vehicle (Sunday, July 14, 2024)

Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched at 14:40 to Berkshire Road west of Checkerberry Lane for a reported tree vs vehicle, with wires involved. While en route, firefighters were told a transformer may be involved. They were also told the driver of the vehicle was already out of the vehicle.

Eversource was also notified. 

The first arriving member of NVAC confirmed the driver, a 60-year-old male, was already out of the 2004 Dodge Dakota Sport and uninjured.

SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello arrived on scene and further confirmed the reports. He also noted that while all wires were pulled down when a large tree fell on them, the wires were not on the Dakota. 

Rescue 441 and a crew also responded to the scene. CT DOT was also added to the call, which closed Berkshire between both intersections with Chestnut Hill Road. Fire police worked with Newtown PD to detour traffic over Chestnut Hill Road. 

A long stretch of wires and multiple poles were affected. Brush fires were starting on both sides of the incident. Chief Capozziello had Botsford Fire Rescue added to the call at the time, to assist with putting out some of the brush fires. 

The driver was checked for injuries, and was not transported.

Botsford cleared at 15:33.

Firefighters remained on scene until the vehicle was towed. Eversource and DOT were on the scene.

Sandy Hook cleared at 15:58.

The crash kept Berkshire closed for hours, until all poles could be repaired and all wires rehung. 

View from the west.
Firefighters walk toward Checkerberry Lane to continue locating brush fires.

Three Companies Respond To Car Vs Pole With Extrication

Sandy Hook VFR was dispatched with Botsford Fire Rescue, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a medic at 07:13 to a reported motor vehicle accident with extrication on Swamp Road, in Botsford’s district. Dispatch was reporting the driver’s side of a car had crashed into a utility pole, trapping the driver, who was injured. 

A Newtown PD officer arrived on scene and confirmed the entrapment of a male driver, who was reporting leg pain. The officer also reported the pole did not receive significant damage. 

The medic reported the car had T-boned against the pole. 

Botsford Chief Andrew White added Newtown Hook & Ladder to the call upon his arrival. 

Sandy Hook Rescue 444 and Engine 441 responded with crews. Sandy Hook VFR Chief Anthony Capozziello also went direct to the crash. 

Firefighters used Hurst tools and additional equipment to get the driver out of the vehicle. The driver was transported to the hospital. 

Sandy Hook and Hook & Ladder cleared from the scene at 07:57. Botsford cleared at 08:01.

Driver Safe After Fire Engulfs & Destroys Camry

Wednesday, February 21, 2024: Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Hook & Ladder were dispatched at 13:07 for a reported car fire on I-84 West between Exits 11 and 10.

Fire Police Shannon Will confirmed the vehicle was just east of the Church Hill Road overpass and fully involved. The male driver of the vehicle, a 2001 Toyota Camry, was able to exit the vehicle without injury. 

Engine 441 and a crew responded from Sandy Hook, and Engine 111 with a crew responded from Hook & Ladder. Sandy Hook Lieutenant Archie Paloian assumed command upon arrival with 441. 

A CT DOT crew staged behind the apparatus and CT State Police cruisers, and provided blocking and traffic management. 

Firefighters quickly extended a line and knocked down the fire. 

Hook & Ladder was released at 13:43. The vehicle was towed by Modzelewski’s, and Sandy Hook returned to service at 13:59. 

View upon arrival by Fire Police Shannon Will.

Engine 441 and its crew arriving on scene.

SHVFR Firefighter Andy DeWolfe on the hose line.

SHVFR Firefighter Andy DeWolfe (left) and Engineer Brian Engelke on the hoseline.

Firefighter Andy DeWolfe works to open the engine compartment (above) and truck (below).

Propane Tank Fire Creates Minor Damage To Home Exterior

Saturday, January 20, 2024: All five of Newtown’s fire companies were dispatched at 21:45 for a reported structure fire in Sandy Hook’s district. The owners of a Cricket Trail home reported their propane tanks were burning, with direct exposure to their dwelling.

SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello was on scene at 21:52 and confirmed that while flames had been showing as he approached, the homeowner was able to douse the worst of the fire as firefighters were responding. Chief Capozziello had all companies continue, due to a tank that was still leaking.

Sandy Hook Ladder 440, Hook & Ladder Ladder 114, and Botsford Engine 551 all responded with crews. Sandy Hook Engine 442 responded to the company’s main station for standby with its crew. 

Following the arrival of 440, Chief Capozziello had responding units continue with traffic. Dodgingtown and Hawleyville were returned to service. 

Firefighters did overhaul and checked for hotspots from the exterior of the home with thermal imaging cameras and from within the attic. A few locations were soaked down. 

JP Maguire was called to the scene to board up the damaged area. The homeowners were able to remain in their residence.

There were no injuries. 

Hook & Ladder and Botsford returned to service at 22:29; Sandy Hook followed at 22:30.