The old Truck 2 in all its glory out in front of quarters. On the left is Paul Rapanault who served our department and city for 25 years as a firefighter and later Lieutenant from 1974 to 1999. Recently we were able to rescue him from the boredom of retirement and bring him aboard as our business manager.
SPOTLIGHT ON: Day Captain Jacob Urban is responsible for training, safety, and wellness here at the West Haven Fire Department. Captain Urban hails originally from Indiana and began his career in emergency response in Kentucky where he graduated with a degree in paramedicine from Eastern Kentucky University and worked as a firefighter/paramedic for the City of Winchester, KY. Coming to Connecticut in 2007, he first worked as a paramedic for an ambulance corps before being hired by our department on September 8, 2009. For the first 10 years, he worked as a firefighter before his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant on February 12, 2019.
He was later promoted to Day Captain on July 27, 2021, where in his current role, he heads the department’s training division, where he has and continues to work closely with both firefighters and fellow fire officers on various training initiatives.
Spotlight On: Charles “Chuck” Durant began his firefighting career as a volunteer member of North End Hose Company #3 on April 18, 1981. He was later hired by the career department on September 19, 1984. His mechanical expertise was put to good use by the department. You could aways find Chuck under an apparatus helping out the Superintendent. He was also instrumental in the refurbishment of our 1935 Mack. Upon his retirement on July 9, 2004, Chuck moved to Florida with his wife Jackie and went to work for Pierce, once again using his knowledge of fire apparatus. In 2010, Chuck became Fire Commissioner in Bradenton, Florida.
DID YOU KNOW: Traditionally, our ambulances have been called rescues. Why? Originally, because they carried rescue equipment such as extrication tools, and life safety nets amongst other essential tools. We started with a bread truck purchased by the department, and gradually, our rescues evolved into emergency medical response units when the paramedic program was first introduced to West Haven. That bread truck paved the way for what are now two rescues in the Center District, Rescue 27 and Rescue 51.
IN REMEMBERANCE: George Batchelder was one of 7 men hired in 1950 by Chief Johnson to create a third shift. The department then went to a 56-hour work week. The men would work three days followed by two days off and then three nights. In 1964 George was moved off the line to Day Personnel and assisted the Supt. Of Alarms until his retirement in 1968. He died on January 25, 1976.
George’s son-in-law, Tony Esposito would join the department on May 24, 1957, retiring in 1984 at the rank of Lieutenant. George’s Great-grandson, Jason Stacoffe, was a WHFD Volunteer and is currently a member of the Milford Fire Department.
#ThrowbackThursday In 1911, the West Haven Fire Department purchased four pieces of motorized apparatus from the Knox Automobile Company of Springfield MA. Three of these were Chemical Combination Engines but the fourth was a three-wheel tractor that was used to pull West Haven Hook & Ladder’s ladder wagon. Pictured here is Chief Charles Cameron (on right) pulling out of the second Avenue Station, and a nice shot of the apparatus from the side.
Members of West Haven Hook & Ladder Company #1 in front of Second Avenue Station in 1957. Many famous Westies and several icons of the fire service are included in this photo.
First row – Left to Right
Jack Meany, Willie O’Connor, Bill Guthrie, Bob Gadd, Chief Johnson,
Hank Wheeler, Al Cadenhead, George Weeks, Den Doran, Bud Pelliccia
Second Row – Left to Right
Nick Lucente, Wiggy Johnson, Charlie Raubeson, Bill Heffernan, Chick Maliff,
Duane Sheppard, George Gibbard, Lou Votto, Doc McPartland, Jackie O’Connor,
William Alleshunas, Sr., Don Forsyth, Charlie Davidson
DID YOU KNOW? Although some people would believe that the honor of the first fully mechanized (or motorized) fire department in the United States goes to the fire department of Savannah, Georgia. In 1911, after the purchase and successful operation of the new American La France Auto Combination Chemical Wagon, Savannah’s City Council placed an order for 11 of the new apparatus to upgrade their entire department, thus making them the first fully mechanized fire department in the country. But were they really? By September of 1911 the West Haven Fire Department had accepted delivery of four Knox mechanized apparatus and had placed them in service in each of the four fire houses in town. Engine & Hose Company #1, North End Hose Company #3, and Savin Rock Hose Company #4 each received a Knox Chemical Combination Automobile Wagon and Hook & Ladder Company #1 received a Knox Three Wheel Tractor to pull its ladder wagon. Although Savannah had placed their order in 1911, delivery of the entire order would not be completed until 1912. The FIRST fully mechanized fire department in the United States, West Haven, CT, had their apparatus in service by the end of September 1911.
#ThrowbackThursday to some of our old apparatus on the go on the streets of West Haven. Engines 1 and 4 as well Truck 2 fast en route back in October 1995. A little 90’s nostalgia for your timeline!
A rare picture of Campbell Avenue Fire Headquarters located behind the old Town Hall. Very few pictures exist that show the ornate roof line of the old Station. Fire HQ was moved to the corner of Savin Avenue and Elm Street when the current HQ was built in 1959. The old Town Hall, along with the former Fire HQ, was demolished in 1969-1970 to make way for the current City Hall Building.
