Berlin Manufacturer Gives Local Firefighters A Large Donation

Town of Berlin

BERLIN, CT — A local manufacturer has donated needed funds to help Berlin's volunteer firefighters train and improve their firefighting techniques.

Berlin officials Tuesday announced the town has received a grant of $13,000 from the Budney Corp. of Berlin to purchase "Aggressive Command" fire training courses for the staff of the town‘s four independent fire companies (Berlin, East Berlin, Kensington, and South Kensington).

Budney is a manufacturer of jet engine parts and serves the aerospace industry.

“We are grateful for the generosity of Kevin Budney and the Budney Corp.,” said Town of Berlin Fire Chief James C. Simons. “This grant will allow us to invest in the professional development of our fine cadre of fire officers.

"Recent incidents, including the Hawthorne Fire, an event that impacted every member of our community and all of our volunteer firefighters, illustrate the need for strong, aggressive incident command.”

The Hawthorne fire was a massive brush fire on Lamentation Mountain last fall that lasted for multiple weeks, one that also claimed the life of a Wethersfield firefighter.

Local officials said Budney Corp.'s gift is nothing new for Berlin's finest and bravest.

“The Budney Corp. has an exemplary record of philanthropic giving to our town’s first
responders,” said Berlin Town Manager Ryan Curley. “We are fortunate to have these good neighbors `as a part of the fabric of this community.”

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