DELAYED POST** (From September, 2015)

Local 2687 wishes to congratulate Ron Desroches on his promotion from Captain to Battalion Chief.

 Ron Desroches was named to succeed Battalion Chief William Fitzmaurice, who retired at the end of August.

B/C Desroches joined the fire service in 1976 as a member of the Dunbar Hill Volunteer Fire Co. No. 8.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps two years later, where he served for four years, completing his active duty at the rank of Sergeant.

Ron began his service as a member of the career department on February 9, 1987.  Following his recruit training, Ron was assigned to Platoon 2, which he now leads as the department's newest battalion chief. He was promoted the Lieutenant in June 1999, and Captain in February 2006.

Just before administering the oath to Chief Desroches, longtime HFD fan and Hamden Town Clerk Vera Morrison noted that in her twenty years as Town Clerk she believes that she has admininstered more oaths to newly promoted fire officers in 2015 than in all previous years combined.

This is the first time in department history that three new shift commanders have been named during the same calendar year - indeed, within three months.  In addition to B/C Desroches, B/C Rich Otlowski was promoted in June to replace retired B/C Don LaBanca and B/C Gary Couture was promoted last month to replace retired B/C Sam DeBurra. 

Best of luck to B/C Desroches in his new position.

*Source

Thank you to the hamdenfireretirees.org website for this write-up.

 Delayed Post** (From September, 2015)

Local 2687 wishes to congratulate Lt. Paul Kobbe on his promotion to Captain.

Captain Kobbe, a fifteen year department veteran, fills the vacancy created on Platoon 4 when Ron Desroches was promoted to Battalion Chief.  He is currently assigned as House Captain of Station 2.

We wish him the best in his new assignment!