Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company went 2-for-2 on Saturday, July 13, winning its second Best Overall title in as many Connecticut Parade Marshals Association (CPMA) events this season. The second win came following the Tunxis Hose Fire Department’s 131st Anniversary Firemen’s Parade.
Sandy Hook continues to defend its CPMA State Championship, won for the first time during the 2023 season.
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.
Thirty-five years ago, what started out as a humble fundraiser for Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company’s golden anniversary is now a bustling annual tradition. This year, on June 7 and 8, the members of the company — assisted by dozens of additional family members, friends and other volunteer — served 2,040 lobsters and 770 steaks. Between the two nights, there were no less than 3,000 people in attendance. They enjoyed a raw seafood bar, their choices of lobster, steak, hambuger and hot dog entrees, a cocktail bar, and live music.
Over the two nights of Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, we cooked and served 2,050 lobsters and 770 steaks. We also sold dozens of hamburger and hot dog meals, and many guests enjoyed offerings from our raw bar.
Thank you to everyone who made all of this possible. We appreciate everyone who helped make this fundraiser another successful event for us and the community we serve. Proceeds from LobsterFest directly benefit our company.
Full lobster or steak dinner tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.
Advance tickets are available cash or check only. Credit and debit cards will also be accepted AT THE DOOR ONLY.
Tickets are available from SHVFR members. They can also be purchased at the office of The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road; and the Office of the Fire Marshal, within Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.
Advance sales end at noon Friday, June 7.
Lobster or steak dinners come with corn on the cob, a dinner roll, Manhattan style chowder (“Chief’s Recipe”), potato salad, and a water or soda.
Hamburger or hot dog dinner tickets — which also include all the sides listed above — are $10 in advance and at the door.
Both nights also feature a raw bar, a full bar, desserts, additional soft drinks (all separate purchases — CASH ONLY), and live music. We will have an ATM on site.
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.
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).