Are Ridgefield Firefighters Finally Ready For Their Close-Up?

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield filmmaker Joe Lane has a fascination with local fire companies that is spilling out into his work, and the town.

Lane's latest project is a joint effort between his company, JTFM Productions, and the Ridgefield Professional Firefighters. He says the tile of the film, "Partners," describes the relationship among the professional firefighters, volunteers, businesses and residents of Ridgefield.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Fire Chief Jerry Myers are crazy about the idea, Lane said. They understand that, where Ridgefielders may appreciate what firefighters do, few understand what their day-to-day entails.

"I think most citizens have no idea what goes on in the fire department, what it takes to become a firefighter, and what it takes to survive that life," Lane told Patch.

So he will be interviewing Ridgefield firefighters to find out what makes them tick, and documenting the experiences that shape them — not least of which is the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks. Lane describes the program there as "incredibly rigorous and demanding."

Lane compared Connecticut fire companies' medical technicians more than favorably with those in the military. Armed forced medics are trained to stop bleeding, he said, but that's just a fraction of what Ridgefield firefighters do — or see.

"Last night at the firehouse, several on that shift were telling us their stories one at a time, and a couple of them said, 'I've seen things I wish I had never seen,'" Lane said.

In addition to interviewing the professional and volunteer smoke eaters, Lane wants to talk to the people whose lives they changed.

"We're asking them to tell us their stories, so we can weave this story together from all three sides." He is encouraging anyone who wants to share their experiences with Ridgefield's Bravest to contact him at 203-917-8306 or joe@jtfmproductions.com.

Lane, a 25-year Ridgefield resident, started making films back in the late '90s, then found himself in China producing TV series. When he returned to the States over 15 years later, he made the decision to focus on making documentaries on topics he cares about. He's launched three projects since making that decision, and they are still ongoing.

"As you may know, many documentaries take forever."

To pay the bills, his company has recently expanded into industrial work, and making political ads. Lane said he has become interested in the gerrymandering politics in Pennsylvania and North Carolina following projects he has worked on in those states.

Lane said he hopes to pay for the documentary through sponsorships with Ridgefield businesses and foundations. "Everything is in play," Lane said, including a deal with the Friends of Ridgefield, who produce the town's annual Independent Film Festival.