On National First Responders Day, How Branford Heroes Save Lives

BRANFORD, CT —Next to creating a life, the finest thing one can do is to save a life, Abraham Lincoln said. In 2017, the US Congress enacted the 'Honoring the Nation's First Responders Day.'

The resolution was sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren who said, "Each and every day, our first responders put their own lives on the line so they can help others. This resolution reflects our gratitude for their service, and offers them the recognition they deserve for keeping our families and communities safe."

First responders, where the dispatcher is as important as the front-line firefighter, EMT, paramedic and police officer, in Branford have saved lives and kept the community safe.

For both the fire and police departments, it's business as usual every day, though some days are harder than others.

During the Nor-easter that blew through this week, in a 32-hour period, firefighters handled 49 calls and two house fires, one caused by downed power lines.

Saving lives in 2021

Here's a look back at a few stories in 2021 where first responders from the Branford Fire Department and Branford Police Department saved lives and protected property, while risking their own.

Branford Fire Department Chief Tom Mahoney recalled the very large brush fire last winter as being among the most challenging of calls as the early March Beacon Hill preserve blaze — ignited by an illegal campfire —grew and required all the fire department's resources and mutual aid from East Haven and Guilford fire companies. It took more than five hours to get it knocked down.

Read that story here. 'Unattended Illegal Campfire' Caused Branford Brush Fire: Chief

Mahoney said that 70 percent of its near 5,000 calls so far in 2021 have been emergency medical, but the perfect storms of late where treacherous weather conditions, like the downed power lies that start fires, happen at the same time.

In April of 2021, Branford police responded to an active shooting where civilians were targets, with one shot.

At the time, Branford Police Chief Jon Mulhern said the work officers did that day was at once professional, highly-skilled and calm in the face of a "critical" incident. And police Capt. Greg Watrous commended fellow officers for their professional —and life-saving —decision-making and communication.

And the outcome with one civilian shot and the shooter dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, happened with the assistance of the East Haven Police Department.

Read that story here: WATCH: Inside Police 'Active Shooter' Tactical Operation

How to support first responders

Thank-yous are welcome. And of course, yielding to allow emergency vehicles to pass safely, but also, as Mahoney pointed out, to volunteer as the department relies heavily on volunteers, especially in the districts. For example, Mahoney said, Stony Creek is a good 10-minute response from HQ."

And for police, there's the Branford Police Benevolent Association.