Wilton Welcomes New Firefighter

WILTON, CT — The Wilton Fire Department has a new firefighter.

On July 26, the Department held a swearing in ceremony for Timothy LeStrange, from Shelton.

Firefighter LeStrange is a recent graduate of Recruit Class 73 at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks, and will spend several weeks working and training with the Wilton firefighters before being assigned to his shift.

Prior to being hired by Wilton, LeStrange started as a volunteer firefighter with the Huntington Fire Co. #3 in Shelton, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He has also worked as an emergency services dispatcher for Meriden, Shelton and Weston.

LeStrange, an emergency medical technician as well as a Level 2-certified firefighter, is also cleared for hazardous material operations, and is licensed to drive fire apparatus in Connecticut. He is a graduate of Shelton High School and is enrolled at Gateway Community College.

"We are pleased to have Tim join the Wilton Fire Department," Chief James Blanchfield said in a news release." When an individual begins his or her career in the fire service, they are truly starting a new chapter. They will be entering an entirely new way of life and with it, adding a second family. With the way a firefighter’s shift works, they will spend many birthdays, holidays, snow storms, extended tours away from the homefront. So it’s not just Tim that's joining the ranks of Wilton, it’s his family as well."