Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company Awards

Four Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company members received awards this year. Engineer Chris Trovato, Main station, received the Chief's Award given by Fire Chief James Baldis. The award goes to a member in recognition of accomplishments which exemplify dedication, initiative and responsibility in attaining a goal beneficial to the Simsbury Fire District, the Fire Company, its members and the community.

“Trovato’s dedication is not limited to just drills and callouts but he attends most, if not all, company functions, whether it be work parties, social events, parades or grave decorating details. He also has found the time to become an engineer and perform those duties with the same commitment as everything else,” said Baldis.

Engineer Brendan Letson, Bushy Hill station, received the Carl Banks Engineer's Award for his service on two different pieces of apparatus. Rescue 14 added tools and equipment from the hazmat trailer and Ladder 11. Letson also created an inventory system for the rope rescue hardware, making it easier and more consistent to clean up and return to service after an incident,” said Assistant Chief Mike Brown.

To ensure that the apparatus is ready to respond to a fire or emergency, the engineer is responsible for a weekly inspection of the apparatus and for keeping the equipment ready for immediate use. Engineers check the fire apparatus and all the equipment on it, such as breathing apparatus.

The award is named in honor of Assistant Chief Carl Banks who was the chief mechanic for the Simsbury apparatus through the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. He helped maintain, repair and even build fire trucks. The Carl Banks award is given annually to an engineer for outstanding performance.

The Lea Hutchinson Service Award for initiative and capability in the fire service went to Firefighter Thanh Mai, Firetown station. In Mai’s four years as a member, he has worked hard on the certifications and licensing needed for firefighters. Assistant Chief Kristin Kelley gave the award.

Lea Hutchinson was the first chief of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, serving in that capacity for over 30 years.

The Tom Post Junior Firefighter Award went to Nick Boswell, Bushy Hill station. In giving the award, Assistant Chief Jason Gilbert said, “He is always willing to lend a hand, eager to learn, and is ready to respond to the call for help at a moment’s notice.” Boswell joined the fire company in 2019. In December, 2021, he moved up to Probationary Member.

The award recognizes a junior member for outstanding initiative, enthusiasm, dedication, and capability. The junior firefighter program is for Simsbury residents 15 to 18 years old. At 18 they are eligible to become regular firefighters in the Fire Company.

Tom Post saw the value of getting teens in the community interested in the fire service. Rules for junior firefighters include a curfew to insure they are not out too late at scenes, maintaining good grades and parental permission. Many of these juniors go on to be regular firefighters in Simsbury or have made their career in the emergency services in other departments. Post was instrumental in the establishment and success of the Fire Company’s junior firefighter program.