Training: Stabilization & Extrication (Sunday, May 4, 2025)
Sandy Hook firefighters spent the morning with instructors from Mission CIT, who went over stabilization of vehicles before extricating patients.
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Training: Ladders (Monday, April 28, 2025)
Members spent the evening of April 28 working with ladders.
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.
Driver Uninjured, Vehicle Destroyed By Fire During Morning Rush Hour (Thursday, April 3, 2025)
Sandy Hook VFR responded to a fully involved car fire during rush hour Thursday, April 3. The driver was able to escape without injury.
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.
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.
Structure Fire In Botsford Displaces Two (Friday, January 3, 2025)
Sandy Hook VFR, along with all other Newtown companies, was dispatched at 21:34 January 3 to a home in Botsford’s district on a report of flames coming from the chimney there and the home filling with smoke. A Botsford firefighter was on scene within three minutes and confirmed a working fire.
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.
2024 Halloween Walk
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.
