Hamden Fire Department Honors 10 Retiring Members

HAMDEN, CT — Ten retiring members of the Hamden Fire Department were honored during a gathering Monday at the Legislative Council chambers.

The members who submitted their retirement papers to the Hamden Employee Retirement Board effective Nov. 30 (via the Hamden Fire Department) are:

• Assistant Chief Lubowicki 21.16 years
• Battalion Chief Spencer 34.81 years
• Captain Evers 24.25 years
• Captain Amatrudo 34.19 years
• Captain Bannon 22.75 years
• Lieutenant Matthews 21.76 years
• Fire Inspector Turner 25.72 years
• Firefighter Mike DeLine Sr 21.16 years
• Firefighter Victor Jackson 21.16 years
• Firefighter Kim Talmadge 21.01 years (Retired 10/4/2021)

“These retirements will have an immediate and significant impact on our department,” officials wrote in a post on Facebook. “Each of these valued Officers, Firefighters and Staff have served with honor and distinction, as have the members that retired over the summer, Battalion Chief Couture 34.56 years and Lieutenant Vogt 26.97 years.”

The Hamden Employees Retirement Board approved the retirements of nine veteran firefighters. Firefighter Kim Talmadge was approved at a special meeting in late October, according to officials.

"As a firefighter, fire officer, and now as chief of the department, I have worked with each of these members their entire careers, with the exception of Chief Spencer and Captain Amatrudo, who were both members of the 3rd Platoon when my crew came in on 1994,” Hamden Fire Chief Gary Merwede said. “We went to many, many calls together. Each one of these individuals has served this department and this community with honor and distinction - each one contributing in their own way, with their own skills to the delivery of our mission. I am proud to have served with all of them. They will be missed. And I wish them the best in their retirements."