REDDING FIRE & EMS COMPANY #1

Redding Fire Department brothers and sisters, as well as our brothers and sisters from the entire region, are all united in remembering the loss of our brother Marshall Sanford one year ago.

It is hard to believe that a year has gone by, since we lost not only one of our own in the line of duty but also lost someone who has been a driving force in our department for many years. Marshall touched our lives in all aspects of Fire and EMS but moreover, represented our department, our family, as a proud shepherd of a service steeped in the tradition of commitment to our community. As many have said in tribute, Marshall would do anything to help and was a good friend to all of us.  In Marshall’s memory today, please take a moment to reflect on his life, his accomplishments and his friendship. He is certainly missed by all of us.

Car 1.

For more photos, click here

For advice on staying safe this winter, especially when supplementing the heat in  your home during colder weather, read the US Fire Administration’s advice on Heating Fire Safety.

Also, remember that unvented fueled heaters (including Kerosene space heaters) are not legal in Connecticut, for very good reasons! (CT General Statutes, Ch 541, Sec 29-318)

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/hotspot.shtm

Redding and West Redding firefighters joined hundreds of others from Connecticut and as far away as Toronto to pay tribute to our fallen brother from Easton. It was a somber but beautiful day to bid farewell to Lieutenant Russell Neary.

The Redding Fire & EMS Company No. 1 is deeply saddened to learn of the line-of-duty death of Easton Fire Lieutenant Russ Neary.

Lieutenant Neary made the ultimate sacrifice keeping our neighboring community of Easton safe during Hurricane Sandy.

Our thoughts and prayers dwell on the loss of our brother, and to the Easton Fire Department during their time of need.

For pictures, click here

Firefighters from Redding, West Redding, Georgetown, and Bethel Fire Departments, battled this fire on September 9, 2012

The Redding Fire & EMS Co. #1 will conduct its open house again this year on:

Sunday, October 14, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

The event will take place, rain-or-shine, at the Redding Ridge firehouse, 186 Black Rock Turnpike (Rt. 58), in Redding

For a flyer, click here

Redding and West Redding Fire Departments were called to the scene of this structure fire the morning of June 25, after a passing thunderstorm.  It was apparent that lightning was a factor in igniting this detatched garage. 

Quick and professional work from the responding crews stopped the fire before major damage was done.

Mutual aid fire companies from Georgetown, Bethel, and Easton, were enroute to the scene, but cancelled once the fire was knocked down.

Photo by Wade Roese

• Photos from Marshall Sanford’s funeral – 20 Apr 2012

  Slideshows from the funeral

   • Quicktime (.mov) 11 MB

   • Windows Media (.wmv) 15 MB

All photos are by Ric Kallaher (ric-kallaher.com).  All photos are copyright © 2012 Ric Kallaher.  For permission to use the photos, click here

• The Conn. General Assembly’s tribute to Marshall (youTube)

• Redding79.org video tribute to Marshall

G. Marshall Sanford

George Marshall Sanford, born September 1, 1944 to Violet Rae and Earle Sanford of Redding, CT, came into a family already devoted to public service.  Mrs. Sanford drove a fire truck during the war time as her husband worked with the local troops.  Early on, Marshall learned about and gained a love for the fire service, joining Redding Ridge Company #1 at the age of 18.  One of the early students of first aid, in October 1970 he traveled to New York City to learn to be an EMT (a three day course).  He was the chief of Redding Ridge Company #1 from 1982 to 1992.

He continued serving in various capacities until his most recent position as 1^st Lieutenant on Engine #1, a truck he helped design.  Marshall was an educator, firefighter, EMT-I, life member, past Chief, active First Lieutenant, fire historian, and fire service ambassador who visited fire departments throughout the United States and around the world during his many vacation travels.  His shared stories and extensive photograph collection allow members and friends to see and learn what was happening in the fire service in other venues.

Marshall’s passing leaves an emptiness in Redding Ridge Company # 1, now known as Redding Fire and EMS Company #1; a name change recognizing the incorporation of EMS into the fire service, a philosophy instilled and supported by Marshall.

Marshall also loved the Town of Redding.  He was a long time member of the Redding Men’s Club and the Redding Zoning Commission.  He also assumed the responsibility from his father Earle to organize Redding’s annual memorial day parade.

He is survived by his brother Hank Sanford, Sister-in-law, niece and uncle. At age 67, George Marshall Sanford had served the Town of Redding fire service for over 50 years.

On behalf of Redding Fire & EMS

Thank you Marshall