Sandy Hook firefighters spent Sunday, February 14, honing their forcible entry skills with two instructors from FTI.Bret Newport and Pete Morotto discussed the tools and procedures they felt were most effective for firefighters when encountering doors. The FTI instructors covered inward- and outward-opening doors, and where each type would be found (residential and commercial settings), before firefighters stepped up to try both scenarios.  

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue finished 2020 with 654 calls recorded.2020's numbers represent an increase of 16.57% over the number of calls we responded to in 2019, when we responded to 561 calls. The busiest month was August, when Tropical Storm Isaias arrived on August 4. Within the first 24 hours of the storm, Sandy Hook firefighters responded to approximately 80 calls.  (For details, visit our Call Volume page.) The company also had 21 training sess...

SHVFR firefighters worked with FTI instructors for some back-to-basics hose line training this month. Approximately two dozen company members assembled for the training, which took place outdoors to allow for easier social distancing measures. Using Engine 441, firefighters went over pulling and reloading hose lines from a truck. They worked with 1- and 2-man configurations to effectively stretch lines to entry points in different scenarios. 

With an additional location to collect donations, this year's Fill The Fire Trucks was among the most successful to date. Firefighters from Sandy Hook, Hawleyville and Hook & Ladder once again staged in front of Big Y World Class Market on Queen Street and Botsford members were in Sand Hill Plaza on South Main Street, which are both traditional collection points. Dodgingtown staged outside its firehouse, on Dodgingtown Road, offering a new location for the public to drop off it...

Members of Sandy Hook VFR assembled with Quint 440 along Dickinson Drive around mid-morning Veterans Day, saluting veterans as they arrived at Sandy Hook School for a special Veterans Day event. We thank all men and women serving in the US Armed Forces. We appreciate your service.(Our thanks to The Newtown Bee for this photo.)

Nearly 30 Sandy Hook firefighters spent the morning of Sunday, October 11, at Fairfield Regional Fire School, for the company's annual live burn training. The firefighters worked under the guidance of FTI instructors. Social distancing measures were in place as much as possible. Constant cleaning and sanitizing of equipment was also done. 

#FireHero2020Sandy Hook VFRR's two stations had additional red lights lit ahead of the The 2020 National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Tribute To Fallen Firefighters. In 2019 alone, 82 firefighters died in the line of duty in this country. They, along with 21 firefighters who died in previous years, will be honored on Sunday, October 4, at 10 am EST.We invite the public to join us in tribute by adding a red light to your home or business.Visit firehero.org/fallen-firefighters ...

Sandy Hook firefighters were joined by dozens of friends and supporters on Monday, September 28, at The Golf Club at Oxford Greens, where the 2020 Golf Tournament was played. Following registration and breakfast, teams waited for the 9 am siren start before beginning a full round of golf on the par 72 course. By mid afternoon, a new foursome to the longstanding fundraiser emerged as winners. Greg Brick, Andrew Huntley, Jack List, and Eric Sirachi finished the day with a team score...

Sandy Hook VFR Chief Bill Halstead was elected president of The Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) on September 19, during the association's annual convention. CSFA is the central organization for Connecticut’s fire service members in matters relating to federal and state legislative initiatives, firefighter death and disability benefit claims, and the exchange of pertinent information. It also coordinates with fire service organizations at the national, state, and ...

Following nearly four months hiatus due to COVID-19, Sandy Hook firefighters returned to their training schedule on Sunday morning. Led by instructors from Fire Training Innovations (FTI), firefighters assembled outdoors behind Sandy Hook's main station and spent the morning training on stabilizing and extrication. Firefighters used cribbing, air jacks, blocks and other tools in multiple configurations. 

During the past month, with families being asked to continue the "Stay Home-Stay Safe" COVID-19 protocols, Sandy Hook VFR has been invited to deliver smiles to some of the youngest members of our fire district. Parents have reached out with requests for fire trucks to drive past their home, and our members have responded.Following are photos from some of the birthday events done in April.We thank parents for inviting us to be part of their children's big days. Click here to se...

During this time of social distancing, Sandy Hook VFR has done two special visits to young residents within our fire district.On Sunday, April 5, Firefighters Scott Allen, Pete Barresi, John Eisele, Matt Schapiro and Shannon Will took Engine 442 out for a ride to extend birthday wishes to two brothers. Born a few years apart, the boys both celebrate their birthday on April 5.Then on Friday, April 10, FFs Allen, Barresi, Eisele and Will again took a ride. This time they had Engine 442 and the OIC...

Following a classroom session on January 27, Sandy Hook VFR firefighters assembled on Sunday, February 9, for the practical session of Tech Rescue Training.Fire Training Innovations (FTI) Instructor Pete Morotto worked with firefighters that morning, going over the equipment that would be needed in different types of rescue operations. 

For the 17th year, firefighters from all five of Newtown's companies worked on a pre-Thanksgiving food collection for FAITH Food Pantry.At the concluding of this year's five-hour event, shoppers at Newtown's Big Y and Stop & Shop supermarkets donated 55 turkeys, filled 72 boxes with nonperishables, and presented $2,536 in cash and gift cards to firefighters. As in years past, members of Sandy Hook, Hawleyville and Hook & Ladder were staged outside Big Y World Class Market on ...

Sandy Hook VFR firefighters returned to Fairfield Hills for the second time this year to continue training with ladders. The company's November 10 training, done with FTI, continued and expanded upon work that had been started in April.Firefighters began by staging outside Shelton Hall, near the center of the Fairfield Hills campus. They worked on ladder basics first, covering different lengths of straight ladders, carrying them, and then safely throwing them. Firefighters used 16, 24 a...

Approximately 30 SHVFR firefighters spent nearly two hours with instructors from FTI on Monday night, continuing their training with SCBA and learning techniques to rescue victims and downed firefighters from buildings. Pete Morotto and Derek Currao from Fire Training Innovations discussed SCBA skills on Monday, continuing some of the training done earlier this month. The two demonstrated various ways firefighters could rescue a downed firefighter inside a building, using harnesses and webb...

Approximately 25 members of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue marched in the 2019 Bridgewater Country Fair Fireman's Parade this year, and at the end of the evening the group returned home with three trophies.Sandy Hook earned honors for Best Overall Appearing Fire Company, Most Firefighters in the Line of March and The David Lathrop Host Award. 

Sandy Hook firefighters spent Sunday morning training with instructors from Fire Training Innovations, who went over competent SCBA use, donning SCBA efficiently, low-profile use of the tanks, and mayday protocol. While Pete Morotto and Derek Currao from FTI worked with about two dozen firefighters on those topics, FTI instructor Bret Newport worked with the company's Junior Corps and probationary members, offering an overview of the same equipment.  

Sandy Hook firefighters worked with Fire Training Innovations for its Sunday training in July, returning to some basics: hose line and nozzle works.Pete Morotto and Derek Currao from FTI led firefighters through a series of rotations that focused on basic advancement techniques.Teams of two first spent time working on techniques, including stream checks, first line in, and company emergencies including fire behind firefighters. The two instructors also discussed and demonstrated efficient w...

During the same meeting when Second Assistant Chief Andrew Ryan was named SHVVR's Outstanding Member of the Year, company members elected the men and women who will serve as firefighting/line and administrative officers for the period of July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020.Bill Halstead will continue as chief, entering his 42nd year in that position. Additional line officers are as follows: Deputy Chief, Anthony Capozziello; 1st Assistant Chief, Ryan Clark; 2nd Assistant Chief, Andy Ryan; C...