Our condolences to the Bodkins family and the Williford Volunteer Fire Department of Williford, Arkansas. Junior FireFighter Christopher Bodkins, 16, a Junior FireFighter with the Williford Volunteer Fire Department died Saturday September 23, 2006. Christopher was responding with his stepfather, Assistant Chief Bill Cossey, and a friend, when their Toyota Corolla was swept off of a low water crossing near Martin Creek Road. They were responding to rescue a woman and three children stranded in a cabin because of flooding caused by severe rainfall. Chris' stepfather and friend were able to escape the flooding car, but Chris was unable. His body was found about 35 yards downstream of the car which was found about 200 yards downstream of the crossing.

     For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Christopher Bodkins Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

9/29/06 Attention WFD Members

     It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Retired Waterbury FireFighter J. Charles Ricciardi. Chas joined the Department in 1956, serving on Engine 11, Truck 1, the ERC, and retired from the Fire Marshal's Office in 1977. Calling hours will be held on Saturday September 30, 2006 8AM at Murphy Funeral Home, followed by a funeral mass with fire department honors at Immaculate Conception Church 10AM. Burial will follow the mass at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to: St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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9/28/06 Line of Duty Death - Wilson, NY

     Our condolences to the Beyer family and the Wilson Volunteer Fire Company of Wilson, New York. FireFighter John Beyer, 38, a 4 year veteran with the Wilson Volunteer Fire Company died Friday September 22, 2006. John had participated in a 2 hour motor vehicle extrication training exercise on Thursday September 21, 2006. He returned home after training and subsequently collapsed. He was transported to the hospital in full cardiac arrest but was successfully resuscitated. He succembed to his injuries the following day.

     For more news, information, and photos, please visit the John Beyer Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

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9/27/06 Attention Golfers

     The organizers of the 1st Annual Jeff Trota Memorial Golf Tournament are making a big push for participation. If you play golf and would like to help out Waterbury Firefighter Jeff Trota's family, please contact Pat Hoban at (203) 879-4150. The tournament is going to be played in Wallingford, CT and is scheduled for Saturday October 14, 2006 (rain or shine).

     Please visit the Jeff Trota Memorial Golf Tournament page for more information.

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9/26/06 Line of Duty Death - Tar Heel, NC

     Our condolences to the Allen family and the Tar Heel Volunteer Fire Department of Tar Heel, North Carolina. Lieutenant Ronald Allen Jr., 36, an 18 year veteran of the Tar Heel Volunteer Fire Department died Friday September 22, 2006. Ron was in front of his vehicle spray painting the road surface indicating hydrant locations on Highway 87 when his brush truck was struck from behind, crushing him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

     For more news, information, and photos, please visit the Ronald Allen Jr. Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

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9/25/06 Attention WFD Members

     It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Holly Payne, sister of Waterbury FireFighter James Morin. Holly was walking along the northbound side of Route 8 in Naugatuck when she was struck by a vehicle. She was was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where she later died. Calling hours for Holly will be held on Wednesday September 27, 2006 5-8PM at Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home in Waterbury. A funeral mass will be held for Holly on Thursday September 28, 2006 10:30AM at St. Francis Church followed by a burial in New Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterbury. Memorial contrtributions can be made to: Payne Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 65, Derby 06418.

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9/23/06 Line of Duty Death - Carrollton, VA

     Our condolences to the Memory family and the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department of Carrollton, Virginia. FireFighter/EMT John 'JP' Memory II, 19, a 3 year veteran of the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department died Saturday September 16, 2006. John was performing a motor vehicle extrication exhibition at the Annual Patriot's Day in Franklin when he collapsed after telling his crewmates he felt ill. He was rushed to Southampton Memorial Hospital where he later died.

     For more news, information, and photos, please visit the John 'JP' Memory Memorial in the Fallen Brothers Section.

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9/22/06 Jeff Trota Memorial T-Shirts

     Fire Driver Joseph 'Jeff' Trota was a Waterbury Firefighter who sadly passed away at 45 years of age after a long hard fight against cancer. Jeff was a loving and dedicated family man to his wife Diane of 20 years, his son Josh (19), and his daughters, Danielle (17), and Karly (12). Please help us provide his family with some much needed financial assistance. We are selling memorial T-shirts in an effort to help them. More information and the T-shirt order form can be found on the Jeff Trota page.

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9/20/06 Helmet Shield Gallery Update

     Today I updated the Helmet Shield Gallery. I only had 6 Shields set aside to be added to the shield gallery so please take a picture of your helmet shield and email it to me. I will add it to the gallery on the next update. This one was submitted by FireFighter Kevin Tape assigned to Engine 5 out of West Quincy, Massachusetts.

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9/18/06 Waterbury Firefighters Calendar Online

     I am also the webmaster for the Waterbury Firefighters Calendar Online. The calendars are not available for purchase yet, but visit the website at www.WaterburyFirefightersCalendar.com to preview the calendar photos online and find out when you can purchase an autographed copy at one of our calendar signings. All proceeds go directly to the Childrens Care Burn Camp of Connecticut. Last year was our first calendar year and we donated $16,000 to the Burn Camp.

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9/16/06 Armpatch Gallery Updates

     I made my first of many armpatch gallery updates. Today I have added 23 new armpatches including these from the Bear Branch Fire Department and The FNDY Cavemen at E-40 L-35. These new armpatches can be found on pages Armpatch 149 and Armpatch 150.

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9/14/06 Website Updates

     It has been a long time since I have updated the News page, but lately I am getting back in to updating the website. I have read through my emails and added and/or updated over 300! new Fire Department URLs. If you have submitted your department URL or department armpatch in the past and it hasn't appeared in the listings, please resubmit it and I will try to add it as soon as possible.

     I finally added the 2006 Waterbury Fire Department schedule and went so far as to extrapolate the 2007 calendar year schedule for the Waterbury Fire Department. This is a 3 shift calendar without kelly days, but I have indicated the beginning/end of each cycle.

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9/12/06 Attention WFD Members

     It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Retired Waterbury FireFighter Richard Martin Sr., son of Waterbury Fire Lieutenant Todd Colitti. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday September 13, 2006 6-8PM at Casey-O'Donell Funeral Home in Waterbury. A funeral will be held for Richard on Thursday September 14, 2006 10AM at the Funeral Home followed by entombment in Garden Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.

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