Fire Marshal Tim Smith Laid To Rest As Hundreds Pay Respects

From the Orange Volunteer Fire Association: ORANGE, CT — Firefighters and fire investigators from all over Connecticut lined up in the rain Saturday to honor Fire Marshal Tim Smith, who died in the line of duty on Jan. 19.

The honors began Friday night, as firefighters, fire marshals, police officers and municipal
officials gathered to pay their respects to Smith and his family at the Cody White Funeral Home
in Milford. The queue actually extended out the door.

As a well-respected fire investigator, instructor for the Valley Regional Fire School and
long-time firefighter, Smith had influenced a lot of people in the area. Friday night, they met again, trading stories about Smith and consoling each other.

The ceremonies continued Saturday morning as Smith, who had been an Orange firefighter
since 1984, was carried by colleagues and secured on Orange Volunteer Fire Department Engine
One, an antique truck used only for ceremonial occasions. Accompanied by other Orange fire
apparatus and vehicles from the Fire Marshal’s Office, Smith was carried through Milford and
Orange past his office on the Boston Post Road. He arrived at Holy Infant Church and was met
by a large contingent of unformed firefighters standing at attention, their badges covered by
black bands.

Carried into the church by an honor guard, the services included prayers, eulogies and stories. As is always the case when firefighters get together, there was laughter as well as tears.

Music came from three pipe-and-drum corps. A ceremonial fire bell was rung, a traditional indicator that the fire companies – or firefighter – has returned home. Tones pierced the church as Orange Fire pagers went off, indicating a last dispatch in honor of Smith. And Smith’s helmet and a flag were presented to his family.

After the service, some of the mourners moved to the Racebrook Country Club for a repast, where a video honoring Smith was shown. There were more stories and guests reminisced about a dedicated firefighter and innovative fire marshal who was lost.

Smith, 56, was called to the scene of a house fire Sunday afternoon to investigate the cause. After he completed the investigation, he was headed home when he was killed in a one-vehicle motor vehicle accident. The crash is still under investigation by the Woodbridge Police Dept. and the Connecticut State Police accident reconstruction team.

Smith became a deputy fire marshal in 1986 and fire marshal in 1989. As a fire marshal, he received several awards, including a national honor from the International Association of Arson Investigators. In addition to fire investigations, Smith inspected buildings to prevent fires and worked to educate the public about fire safety.

Smith leaves behind his daughters, Hannah and Alexa Smith; loving girlfriend Terri Philibert; mother of his daughters, Margaret Puddester-Smith; siblings, Katherine (Richard) Berluti and David A. Smith as well as nieces and nephews.

Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas thanked the area fire companies for their support as Smith’s family and the department members dealt with the tragedy. He acknowledged the Ansonia, Oxford, North Branford and East Haven Fire Departments for stationing firefighters and apparatus in Orange during the ceremonies for Orange volunteers could grieve and celebrate Smith’s life.

About the Orange Volunteer Fire Association
The Orange Volunteer Fire Association provides fire protection residents and businesses in Orange and, through mutual aid, surrounding towns. Members receive training in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues and other emergency services.

Operating strictly with revenues from fund-raisers and donations, the Orange Volunteer Fire Department is one of the remaining few all-volunteer incorporated fire departments in Connecticut. Active members are on-call to serve the community on a 24-hour/seven-day basis, responding from stations on Orange Center Road and Boston Post Road.

In addition, the fire company offers public education services including lectures, demonstrations and training. For information about membership, donations or public education, call (203) 891-4703, click on https://www.orangevfd.org/ or find us on Facebook.