A Fireman's Fireman

A Fireman’s Fireman

Recently, we were sad to learn that Mr. Edward Amatrudo, a former resident of Noank, had passed away. His services are presently being organized for this coming weekend.

I was reminded of an article I wrote for the Mystic Times which was printed on August 31, 2006. Reading it again makes me realize what a wonderful, genuine individual this man was to so many of us.

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Notes from the Old Noank Jail by Ed Johnson Mystic Times 08/31/06

“A Fireman’s Fireman”

When my wife and I decided to move from New Jersey up to this area, we were impressed with a sense of community spirit that we had not witnessed elsewhere, and we hoped to be able to add our own contributions to this spirit. We also found a great many local people, already in place, who were like the mainstays or framework of the basic community. Many of these are still active in our local Volunteer Fire & EMS Departments, providing both consistency and reliability.

However, as we keep discovering, nothing stays the same for very long. We find that many of the necessary changes and upgrades necessary to operate an organization such as a Fire Department have come from input by people who have served in other geographical areas with larger populations before deciding to move here. One of these is Retired Chief Edward Amatrudo, originally from North Branford, CT. where he also served as Captain and Training Officer in their Fire Department from 1949 to 1965.

From that point forward, Ed’s career and credentials cover a long, impressive list of service to many CT. communities as a Firefighter. He served as Captain & Training Officer in Branford from 1965 to 1977, Nichols from 1977 to l984, Westbrook from 1984 to 1987, and later in Guilford from 1987 to l993. He then served as Fire Chief at our local Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department from 1993 to 1997 before retiring from full-time service.

Presently, Ed serves with us in the Noank Volunteer Department as Safety Officer, along with assisting with training exercises. He was instrumental in coordinating interdepartmental training for the entire town of Groton and even surrounding fire departments. This has been very effective in bringing many of the departments closer together and standardizing emergency services policies and procedures.

“Chief Ed” previously received formal operations and course training in Arson/Bomb Squad, Pump Engine Operator/Driver, Vehicle Rescue, Hazardous Material, Building Construction, Incident Command, Fire Officer I, II and III and Medical Technician. His Association memberships include CT. Fire Service Instructors, New London County Fire Chiefs, International Society of Fire Service Instructors and our local Groton Fire Officers Association, where he is still very active.

Firefighting is definitely in the family blood, as Ed’s father and two brothers were all Chiefs. Ed has a son who is a career firefighter in East Hartford, a daughter serving as an EMT in Westbrook, and two nephews who are career firefighters. As if that is not enough, Ed and his wife, Arlene, have been the proud owners of a 1922 Reo Fire Truck for more than 25 years. It is kept in top condition and has won approximately 100 trophies along with the hearts of many children at local parades. It almost didn’t make a Memorial Day parade a few years ago, when they discovered that a feral mama cat had decided it would be a fine place to give birth to her kittens. Personally, I suspect that their love for children is the real reason Ed and Arlene continue to keep the Reo on hand.

Ed’s version of being “retired” simply means, where health permits, being almost as busy as when he worked at full time jobs. He is a retired executive with Prudential Ins. Co., where he was an assistant to the Vice President and District Manager. Following that retirement, Ed and Arlene were owners and innkeepers of a Westbrook country inn.

Ed continues to assist in regional training classes, offering experienced input with further training and apparatus/equipment needs. As an instructor for the CT. State Fire Academy, he prepares and presents many leadership and management seminars. Ed volunteers personal coaching to young people preparing for a career Firefighter position, as well as assisting veterans who are preparing for promotional exams and exercises.

He is a communicant of St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church in Groton, where he and Arlene are Lectors and members of the Bereavement Ministry. As a Eucharistic Minister, Ed offers Communion services and brings Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass.

In short, Ed Amatrudo is one of those “outside” people who has brought much of himself to the area and chosen to share it with us for the benefit of everyone. We feel very fortunate to have him as a neighbor and friend, as we continue to drool every time he drives by in his antique fire engine.

However, should any of you be fortunate enough to meet Ed in the future, you might want to use caution...and even bring lunch... when you ask him to tell you about his four children, seven grandchildren and three rescue cats. This is to say nothing of their hand-fed squirrels, Mr. and Mrs. Bluejay, the raccoons, possum, seagull, and of course Mr. Skunk, who takes up residence under their gazebo.