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Hiker Rescued From State Forest (Tuesday, July 29) 

Sandy Hook VFR, Botsford Fire Rescue, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a paramedic were dispatched at 14:41 to the Lower Paugussett State Forest for a female hiker who called for help after beginning to suffer heat symptoms. The day was hot and humid, with record breaking temperatures in the high 90s.

Sandy Hook VFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan was officer in command of the incident.

Firefighters initially responded to 326 Great Quarter Road, a main entry point for the forest’s Blue Trail, where they began hiking toward the hiker’s last known location. With assistance from dispatchers, the hiker’s location was later determined to be close to Lake Zoar. At that point Ryan activated the marine units from Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue and Hook & Ladder.

A CT DEEP EnCon officer also responded to the scene.

Boats went in the water from Eichler’s Cove. The woman told dispatchers she was sitting in the shade.

Her cell phone had less than a 10% charge, so she was not able to stay on the phone with dispatchers for very long. At one point the hiker told dispatchers she was feeling worse.

The command point was then relocated to Eichler’s Cove. Additional first responders and apparatus were also staged there.

At Ryan’s request and due to the weather conditions, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps sent a second rig and crew to the staging point for first responders.

NUSAR’s boat, with NUSAR team members accompanied by an NVAC crew and the medic, connected with the hiker at 15:31.

The hiker was able to walk from where she had been waiting in the shade to the boat.

Hook & Ladder followed with its boat to pick up the first responders who had hiked into the woods.

The patient and rescuers were transported by boats to the command post at Eichler’s Cove, where the patient was then evaluated. The hiker was ultimately RMA. There were no injuries to any first responders.

First responders cleared from Eichler’s Cove by 16:05. 

Sandy Hook VFR First Assistant Chief Andy RYan (right, in green T-shirt) confers with NUSAR members while they and membres of NVAC and the medic oad NUSAR’s Search And Rescue 993.

Rescue 993 and its crew head toward the rendezvous point to locate and rescue the hiker.

Read more here: Hiker’s Rescue A Cautionary Tale (The Newtown Bee)

Best Overall In Thomaston

Sandy Hook VFR and its Ladies Auxiliary went 3-for-3 with another CT Parade Marshals Association win on August 2, this time picking up Best Overall at Thomaston Volunteer FD Carnivla’s parade.

  • August 4, 2025 in News

Single Vehicle Crash On I-84 (Monday, July 28)

Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched to I-84 West around 21:55 Monday, July 28, on a reported vehicle down embankment prior to Exit 11.

First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan took initial command of the scene. The driver, a 44-year-old male, was able to self-extricate from their vehicle, a 2023 Honda CRV.

Engine 441, Tanker 9 and OIC 448 responded with crews.

The driver was checked for injuries, and declined transport.

Firefighters remained on scene while the vehicle was pulled up the embankment and loaded onto a wrecker. Sandy Hook cleared at 23:06. 

Training: Rope Rescue

Members spent the evening of Monday, July 28, learning rope rescue techniques with Tim from Mission CIT.

  • July 29, 2025 in News

Second Parade, Second Big Win Of The Season

Chief Capozziello, Deputy Chief Ryan Clark with his son, and Vice President Matt Dobson hold the Best Overall trophy following the Tunxis Hose Company Parade, July 12. Sandy Hook returned home with that trophy, the ladies won Best Ladies Auxiliary, and the company also received the honor for Traveling the Longest Distance.

Chief Capozziello and Junior Corps member Charlie Jeltema with the night’s big trophy.

  • July 13, 2025 in News

Car Fire Knocked Down Before Extending To Residence (Tuesday, July 1, 2025) 

Less than 30 minutes after returning from a successful forest rescue, Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Hook & Ladder were dispatched at 13:14 to a residence in Sandy Hook’s district for a possible car fire. The caller reported to dispatch that a vehicle in the driveway was in the driveway but not close to the house there. 

Chief Capozziello reported a fully involved fire upon arrival. Engine 441 responded with a full crew, as did Tanker 49 and Engine 111. Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire. 

There were no injuries reported. Approximately 1,000 gallons of water was used. A fire marshal also responded to the scene. 

Hook & Ladder was released at 13:29, and Sandy Hook returned to service at 13:56.

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.