Friday, June 5, 2009 - Remembering Stamford Public Safety Dispatcher Randy Samaha

Veteran Stamford Fire/EMS/Police Dispatcher Randy Samaha passed away late this afternoon as a result of injuries sustained at a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Stratford. Randy was a long-time employee of the City of Stamford Emergency Communications Center, serving as a Public Safety Dispatcher. Randy leaves behind a wife and young family.

The Officers and Members of IAFF Local 786 extend our heartfelt sympathies to Randy's family and the entire Stamford 911 staff.

Additional details will be posted and e-mailed to all members as they are made available available.

We will miss you Randy!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 3 members of the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association appeared on the Rachel Ray Show today to demonstrate physical fitness products. Local 786 members John Lockwood, Alan Hagander, and Rocco Terenzio field-tested various sweat-reducing products during the course of their workouts and fire duties. The 3 Fire Fighters are all heavily involved in physical fitness and provided a first-hand account of the product's performance. This was a great job and appearance by our Brothers. Good work!

To watch the video of their appearance on the Rachel Ray Show, click onto link below:

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - Connecticut Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums St. Patrick's Day Benefit for Aidan Sullivan: Connecticut Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums will be hosting their 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser on Sunday, March 29, 2009 from 1 PM to 10 PM. The event will be held at the Black Bear Saloon in South Norwalk (CT). All proceeds from this year's benefit will go to assist 7 year old Aidan Sullivan. Aidan was born with Hemi-facial Micro Somia and has had numerous surgeries to correct his condition. He will need many more surgeries as he grows older. Aidan's father is a former Stamford Fire Fighter and member of Local 786. He is presently a Fire Fighter with Rescue Co. 1 with the Fire Department of New York City.

For additional information, please click onto attached flyer below:

Sunday, February 1, 2009 - Professional fire protection for all of Stamford. The following letter appeared in the 02/01/2009 edition of the Stamford Advocate:

Letters from readers

City Should Create A Professional Fire Department

To the editor:

The second house in North Stamford has burned down within a short period of time (news story, Jan. 28). When are we North Stamford residents going to get the fire protection that is necessary for us?

I am disgusted by the egos, politics, historical background and whatever else is keeping the city of Stamford's fire department from covering the whole city.

It has the manpower, the equipment and all that is necessary for the job. The days of volunteer fire departments are over. There are not enough volunteers available in this day and age. There is not enough money to ensure proper equipment and training for several small volunteer units.

It makes much more financial sense, and ensures effective fire protection, for one fully staffed and prepared, taxpayer-funded fire department to be responsible for us all.

Trish Dayan

Stamford

Friday, January 23, 2009 - The Long Ridge Fire Company continues to contradict itself with their argument to self-govern and provides more support to validate the City of Stamford's efforts to provide oversight of malfunctioning volunteer fire organizations. The following story describes the outlandish behavior and latest litigation against the Fire Company for their recent termination of a veteran career Fire Fighter.

Monday, January 19, 2009 - The following article describes the deteriorating conditions within a Virginia Volunteer Fire Department. There are some very real similarities to the issues affecting the Stamford Fire Services.

Click on link below to read entire story:

December 12, 2008 - Stamford Advocate Columnist Don Russell comments about the ongoing Stamford Fire Service issues.

Click HERE to read article.

Individual Fire Tax Districts sound like a solution? Follow the issues in West Haven by clicking HERE .

Think this issue is unique to Stamford? Click HERE to read about similar issue in Delaware and Maryland.

December 5, 2008 - Strategic Fire Study Released - The City of Stamford has released the findings of the recent fire study of Stamford's Fire Services.  Additional information to follow shortly.

To read entire report, click HERE.

Sunday, November 23, 2008 - Active and Retired members of IAFF Local 786 gathered on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the Hibernian Hall in Danbury, CT to help raise money for Aidan Sullivan.

Aidan is the son of former Stamford Fire Fighter and current FDNY Rescue 1 Fire Fighter Tim Sullivan. Aidan has several medical conditions that have resulted in numerous surgeries and thousands of dollars worth expenses for the Sullivan family. Fire Fighters from across the area gathered and had a very successful evening raising funds to help Aidan and his family.

October 19, 2008 - The Connecticut Labor Board has awarded Stamford Professional Fire Fighters a sweeping victory over the illegal installation of surveillance cameras at Engine Co. 7. Springdale Volunteer Fire Personnel installed the cameras earlier this year in a blatant attempt to harass the career Stamford Professional Fire Fighters assigned to the Springdale Station.

The illegal installation of the surveillance cameras was initiated by the handful of remaining Springdale Volunteer Fire Fighters (Image Above) after their previous baseless attempts to have the Professional Fire Fighters removed from the building had failed. The full decision and findings of the Labor Board can be read in entirety by clicking on the attached PDF file and decision.

October 16, 2008 - More than twenty (20) active and retired members of the Stamford Professional Fire Fighter's Association came together for the Annual Mushpaugh Golf Tournament and Roast Beef Dinner. The event is held each year at the Cricket Hill Golf Club and the Mushpaugh Sportsmen's Club near Hawley, Pennsylvania. A great day of golf and a great night of food and fun for active and retired members of IAFF Local 786. Special thanks to the members of the Mushpaugh Association for their hospitality. Additional photos posted in the Photo Gallery Section.

Saturday, October 11, 2008 - For the 7th year in a row, Stamford Fire Captain Patrick Tripodi has represented Stamford Professional Fire Fighters at the Annual IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter's Memorial Service in Colorado Springs (CO). The service was held on September 20, 2008 and recognized the 137 IAFF Fire Fighters, who lost their lives as a result of the performance of their duties during the previous year.

October 1, 2008 - 9 Members of The Stamford Professional Fire Fighter's Association competed in the Fire Fighter Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Race in New York on September 28, 2008.

"Stamford Fire" Team Members included: Al Hagander, Bill Weick, Rocco Terenzio, Sean Gage, Harold Brown, John Lockwood, James Doherty, Joe Maida, and Brian Teitlebaum.

Stamford Professional Fire Fighters finished SECOND PLACE overall out of 125 registered Brother to Brother Teams!

Brother Al Hagander finished 8th overall with a final time of 17:42!

Congratulations to all of our Brothers, who participated in the race!

September 12, 2008 - Stamford Fire Fighters, led by Department Chaplin Robert Post, held a ceremony at Fire Headquarters on the morning of September 11, 2008 to honor all of those who perished 7 years ago.

In the evening, a delegation of Local 786 members traveled to the quarters of Engine 10 and Ladder 10 in New York to place a wreath in honor of the 343 Fire Fighters killed in the line of duty on 9/11.

May we NEVER FORGET all those lost in New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania and in their service to this country.