Firefighter From Middlebury Returns Home from Idaho

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the members of Connecticut’s fire crew are returning home to Connecticut Sunday, Sept. 20, at approximately 10:30 a.m. at Eastern District Headquarters, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough.

The 20 member crew consisting of seven DEEP employees and 13 private-sector firefighters left Connecticut on September 3rd and were sent to the Higgins Hump Fire on the Motorway Complex in Idaho.

The 10 fires in the Motorway Complex total approximately 34,000 acres. Connecticut’s crew members received excellent reviews from the US Forest Service for their work.

The DEEP maintains a roster of agency staff members and personnel from local fire departments who have been certified to fight forest or wildfires. Crew members must complete a rigorous training program and participate in an annual renewal course.

Connecticut maintains this firefighting capability to participate in a reciprocal aid program operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Under this program, trained personnel from other parts of the nation are available to assist Connecticut in the event of a fire emergency or other natural disaster in return for the support of Connecticut personnel when needed.

CT DEEP Members of Connecticut Fire Crew

• Raymon D. Knoop, Essex
• Christopher L. Kostopoulous, West Haven
• Matthew J. Quinn, Middlebury
• David E. Ringquist, West Hartford
• Michael A. Shaw, Torrington
• David D. Stygar, Lebanon
• Richard J. Viele, Portland

Private-Sector Firefighters

• William T. Arnone, Canton
• John O. Berard, Hampton
• Josiah W. Burnham, Hampton
• Michael Paul Campi, Barkhamsted
• David Scott Cummings, Coventry
• John J. DiSaia, Sterling
• Matthew S. Falletti, South Windsor
• Anthony J. Flamio, Farmington
• Jacob F. Light, Enfield
• John E. Moffat, Guilford
• Corey Pelletier, Willimantic
• Andrzej Ramotowski, Enfield
• David M. Shatas, Terryville

(image via shutterstock)