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2026-27 Officers Elected

June 1, 2026: Front row from left is Chief Anthony Capozziello, Second Assistant Chief Rob Sibley, Deputy Chief Ryan Clark, and First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan. Standing from left are Engineers Steve Stohl, Kyle Keeping, Kevin Keohan, Jon Doyle and Leslie Richards; First Engineer and Commissioner Tim Whelan; President Bradley Richardson; Lieutenant Archie Paloian; Vice President President Matt Dobson, Captain Stephen Clark, Second Engineer Bruce Clark, EMS Captain and Treasurer Karin Halstead, Engineer John Moore, Secretary Shannon Will, Engineer Massimo D’Alessandro, and Assistant Treasurer John Jeltema. The term runs July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

During the annual company meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026, the following were voted into Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company firefighting branch and administrative officer positions for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027: 

Firefighting Branch/Line Officers — Chief, Anthony Capozziello; Deputy Chief, Ryan Clark; First Assistant Chief, Andy Ryan; Second Assistant Chief, Rob Sibley; Captain, Stephen Clark; Lieutenant, Archie Paloian; First Engineer, Tim Whelan; Second Engineer, Bruce Clark; EMS Captain, Karin Halstead; and Engineers: Massimo D’Alessandro, Jon Doyle, Kyle Keeping, Kevin Keohan, John Moore, Ryan Piccirillo, Jeff Platek, Leslie Richards, and Steven Stohl; and 

Administrative Branch — President, Brad Richardson, Entering His 26th Year In That Position; Vice President, Matt Dobson; Secretary, Shannon Will; Treasurer, Karin Halstead; Assistant Treasurer, John Jeltema; and Commissioner, Tim Whelan.

  • July 1, 2026 in News

LobsterFest In The Books For Another Year

Hundreds of people joined Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company members, friends, family and other volunteers for this year’s LobsterFest, which was presented at our main station Friday and Saturday, June 5-6, 2026.

Thank you to everyone who played any role in presenting this event, a major fundraiser for our company. We hope everyone who attended enjoyed themselves.

We’ll see everyone next year.

—Bill Glass photo, used with permission

Furthest Traveled! Mike Grist, who lives in Florida, and Jackson Whitlock, Zach Grist, Andrew Gleespen, Brooke Gleespen, Ryan Gleespen, and Ralph Flynn, who all live in Ohio, traveled from Ohio on June 5 to attend LobsterFest. Once they enjoyed their dinner they returned home. Andrew told firefighters he and some friends “stumbled upon this event a few years ago while on our way home from a vacation.” They now make it an annual tradition to drive in for our event.

Handling the shucking duties this year were, from left, Sandy Hook VFR members Randy Muller and Kevin Keohan, and Kevin Marquis, a longtime member of Dodgingtown Fire who has volunteered with fellow first responders at LobsterFest for many years. —Bill Glass photo, used with permission

—Bill Glass photo, used with permission

SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello, who is also LobsterFest Chair, with longtime Ladies Auxiliary member Deb Aurelia Halstead on the serving line. —Bill Glass photo, used with permission

Sandy Hook VFR firefighter Craig Kampmier was one of three members of the fire company offering shuttle service between parking lots. —Bill Glass photo, used with permission

—Dee Liska/Sandy Hook VFR Ladies Auxiliary photo

Read more here: Another Clawsome Good Time At LobsterFest (The Newtown Bee)

  • June 12, 2026 in News

Early Morning Vehicle vs Pole (May 10, 2026)

Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched at 03:55 May 10 for a reported vehicle vs pole in the area of Grays Plain at High Rock roads. Onstar had alerted dispatch to the crash, which deployed the vehicle’s airbags. Onstar was reportedly able to make contact with the driver.

Chief Capozziello arrived on scene and confirmed the one-vehicle crash. The driver was out of the 2015 GMC Terrain Denali, being checked by NVAC and speaking with local police.

Sandy Hook Engine 442 responded with a crew. Rescue 444 was canceled en route.

The utility pole the Denali struck was cracked in half. Eversource was notified of the damage.

Firefighters secured the vehicle and covered antifreeze with Speedi-Dri.

The driver was transported BLS.

The scene was turned over to Newtown PD and Sandy Hook returned to service at 04:18. 

Tractor-Trailer Rollover Near Rochambeau Bridge (May 9, 2026)

Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a medic were dispatched just before 0100 May 9 to I-84 East between Exits 11 and 13 for a reported tractor trailer truck rollover with injuries.

When en route first responders were advised the driver was speaking, but the extent of any injuries was still unknown. Firefighters were advised of a diesel spill as a result of the crash.

Sandy Hook Rescue 444 and Engines 441 and 442 responded with crews.

Upon arrival, SHVFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan assumed command and reported the truck, a 2018 Kenworth, was on its side, just prior to the Rochambeau Bridge. The driver, a 36-year-old male, was out of the truck with minor injuries reported, and approximately three gallons of diesel was leaking from the saddle tank fill.

CSP notified DEEP of the crash. Modzelewski’s also responded.

The driver was checked for injuries but declined transport.

Firefighters remained on scene until the truck was uprighted, at which time they confirmed there was no additional diesel spill.

Sandy Hook turned the scene over to CSP, CT DEEP and Modz’s for continued clean-up, and returned to service at 03:35. 

Vehicle Rollover & Fire (May 5, 2026)

Sandy Hook VFR, Botsford Fire Rescue, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a paramedic were dispatched at 15:32 May 5 to Berkshire Road near its intersection with High Rock Road for a reported one vehicle rollover. First responders were also alerted that the vehicle, a 2018 Chevy Traverse, was on fire with one occupant still inside.

Sandy Hook VFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan was first to arrive on the scene and confirmed the fire, but updated all responding that the driver, a 43-year-old female, was out of the vehicle at that time. 

Sandy Hook Engines 441 and 442, Rescue 444 and Botsford Engine 552 responded with crews. 

Berkshire was closed at its intersections with High Rock and Grays Plain. The fire was knocked down by 15:43.

NVAC transported the driver ALS. 

Botsford returned to service at 15:53. Sandy Hook remained on scene until the vehicle was towed, and returned to service at 16:41. 

Mutual Aid To Southbury For Large Brush Fire (May 4, 2026)

Sandy Hook VFR provided mutual aid in Southbury on May 4 after a large brush fire broke out in the Purchase area. 

A request was received for our brush truck and manpower, which responded to Brown Brook Road in Southbury at 13:53 May 5. Truck 448 also responded with three additional firefighters. 

Roxbury VFD and Woodbury VFD also responded to assist Southbury. Crews fought the fire from three different properties as shifting winds continually changed its path. Firefighters were able to knock it down without any damage to structures.

Sandy Hook returned to service at 15:08. 

Gas Tanker vs Cargo Van (Thursday, April 30) 

Sandy Hook VFR, in addition to Botsford Fire Rescue and Newtown Hook & Ladder Co #1, was dispatched to South Main Street at Meadow Brook Road at 11:57 April 30 for a reported tanker truck vs minivan with injuries. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps was already en route following the initial calls to dispatch.

As firefighters were responding, they were advised the tank carrying 8,200 gallons of gasoline on the trailer was not damaged. The location was updated to South Main at Botsford Hill.

The collision involved a 2024 Freightliner Cascadia and a 2017 Ford Transit Connect XL cargo van.

Botsford’s Second Lieutenant was first on the scene and reported a large slick on the roads.

Sandy Hook VFR Engine 441 and Rescue 444 responded with crews. Modzelewski’s also responded to tow the cargo van and assist with initial clean-up.

Firefighters further cleared the roadway of debris. They also put down Speedi-Dri and soaker pads to stop fluids that were leaking from the truck’s engine. Firefighters additionally created a small barrier to prevent fluids from leaking into a nearby storm drain.

South Main Street initially had alternating lines of traffic moving past the scene. Newtown Police handled traffic and was able to open both directions of travel on South Main. Botsford Hill between its intersections with South Main and Botsford Lane was closed for approximately two hours, until the tanker was towed.

A second ambulance was initially added to the call for another possible transport. The second ambulance crew ultimately obtained an RMA, however.

Firefighters remained on the scene until both vehicles were towed. Sandy Hook cleared at 13:50.

View from the west/Meadow Brook Road.

Fuel Spill On I-84 (Tuesday, March 31, 2026)

CT State Police and Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue responded to a reported vehicle accident with fluid spill at 20:18 March 31. The caller of a 2024 Mac Anthem tractor-trailer told dispatch his truck had been traveling in the center lane of three on I-84 West approaching Exit 11 when he struck something in the roadway.

That caused one of the truck’s tires to blow, which punctured one of the saddle tanks and led to a diesel spill. The truck stopped approximately one mile prior to Exit 10.

SHVFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan confirmed the spill and assumed command upon arrival. SHVFR Engine 442, Tanker 9 and Rescue 444 also responded with crews. 

DEEP was contacted and responded.

The truck’s 75-gallon tank was damaged. Fuel from the truck’s 100-gallon tank also leaked through the smaller tank.

Firefighters contained the leak in a retention pond, and covered the rest of the spill with Speedi-Dri. 

No waterways were affected.

Hilario’s responded for the tow. Moran Environmental also responded for the cleanup.

Sandy Hook cleared at 23:15.