Kevin North retires as Simsbury Fire District President

Kevin North concluded his 37 year career with the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company and the Simsbury Fire District when he retired at the December meeting of the Fire District.

He joined the Fire Company in 1977 as a firefighter and retired in 1995 as captain of Bushy Hill station when he became vice president of the Fire District. In 1997 he became president.

North’s 17 years as president included modernizing the District’s six fire stations, concluding with Main station in the center of town.

The station, built in 1949, did not accommodate today’s larger fire trucks and did not conform to modern building codes. This year the District replaced Engines 5 and 6, 25 year old pumpers stationed at Weatogue and West Simsbury stations.

According to the by-laws, Gary Wilcox, the District’s vice president, will serve as president until elections at the annual meeting in May.

“We wish Kevin the very best in his retirement; his presence and leadership will be greatly missed. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Simsbury Fire District in this new capacity as president,” stated Wilcox.

Wilcox was a firefighter and lieutenant for the Fire Company joining in 1980 and serving for 25 years. He was also a Fire District commissioner before he became vice president.