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  • More Retirements and Promotions for Local 2687
    Updated On: Aug 27, 2015

    Thursday, August 6, 2015

    Dozens of friends and fellow firefighters, active and retired, gathered at Station 3 Thursday afternoon, August 6th, to bid farewell to Batt. Chief Bill Fitzmaurice, who joined the department in February 1987 as a Firefighter-Paramedic, and who officially retires as of August 10th.

     

    Platoon 2 presented Bill with a ceremonial gold-plated axe commemorating his more than twenty-eight years of service to the Hamden Fire Department.  "It's been a great career," said Bill as he prepared to cut the cake honoring his retirement.  Thanking the several retireees who were present, he noted, "You guys were my mentors."  He expressed the hope that he had "passed something positive along" to the active guys during his career.

     

    Bill told the crowd that he was moving forward to a new career, "but I'm gonna miss you guys."  He concluded with, "Stay safe. Stay on top of the game. And keep training," sage advice from a consummate firefighter and fire service leader.

     

    William Fitzmaurice began his career with the Hamden Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic on February 9, 1987 and was later assigned to Platoon 2.  He was promoted to lieutenant in August 1993.  In May 1999, Bill was appointed to fill the position of Training Officer (now Director of Training), which had been vacant for nine years.  His new assignment included the additional responsibilities of the EMS Officer, another former department position, that had been vacant for six years.  Promoted to captain early in his eleven year tenure as Training Officer, Bill was again promoted to Batt. Chief in July 2010 and took over command of Platoon 2, following the appointment of Bob Surprise (now retired) as Deputy Chief.

     

    Bill isn't really retiring.  He has accepted the new position of Director of Operations with Northwest Connecticut Public Safety in Prospect, a regional fire, police and EMS dispatch center for twelve communities, including Waterbury.*

     

    Local 2687 wishes Chief Fitzmaurice all the very best in his new career.

    *Source

    hamdenfireretirees.org

    (Thank you to retired Capt. Dave Johnson for the write-up)

    Friends and co-workers gathered in the rotunda of Memorial Town Hall on Monday, July 23rd, for the swearing-in of HFD's newest battalion chief and captain.  Hamden Town Clerk Vera Morrison administered the oaths to newly promoted Battalion Chief Gary Couture and Captain John Grasso.

    B/C Couture joined the department in September 1987.  He was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and captain eight years later.  He is a certified fire marshal and has received numerous commendations during his career.  He succeeds B/C Sam DeBurra, who retired at the end of June after twenty years of service. B/C Couture will be in command of Platoon 4.

    Capt. Grasso joined the department in 1998 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2006.  He was appointed as the department's Director of Training in 2013 following the retirement of Capt. John O'Dea.  He is a certified paramedic and fire marshal.  Capt. Grasso will be assigned to take B/C Couture's vacated captain's slot on Platoon 2.*

    *source

    hamdenfireretirees.org

    (Thanks to retired Capt. Dave Johnson for the write-up).

    The department lost another battalion chief to retirement at 0800 hours on June 30th, when 21-year department veteran Sam DeBurra finished his last shift.  An informal reception for Sam at Station 3 took place the previous afternoon.  The entire platoon and other friends of his stopped by to wish him all the very best.  Sam's departure came just two months after B/C Don LaBanca retired on April 30th.

     

    Following his recruit training, Sam reported to Station 3 on October 18, 1994 and was assigned to Engine 3. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2002, captain in 2006, and battalion chief in 2010 following the retirement of Platoon 4 B/C Dave Strawhince. Sam is also certified in Fire Investigation and Code Enforcement.

     

    Deputy Chief Gary Merwede informed the website that Sam was instrumental in planning and implementing the mobile data terminal (MDT) program, "a tremendous upgrade in information technology available directly to responding units field." He added, "Sam's command presence will be missed on the fireground and in the firehouse." Prior to his 1994 appointment to the HFD, Sam had served as Chief of the Madison Fire Department.*

     

    The members of Local 2687 wish to congratulate Battalion Chief Sam DeBurra on his retirement and wish him many happy and healthy years ahead.

    *Source

    hamdenfireretirees.org

    (Thanks to retired Capt. Dave Johnson for the write-up).

     


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