On February 1, 1993, John M. O'Connor was an experienced New London Firefighter with 35 years on the job. John was working as the acting lieutenant of Engine 11 stationed at Fire Headquarters, 289 Bank Street. That evening John responded to a serious fire in a home at 91 Truman Street. While working to save trapped occupants of the home, John was struck and killed by an electrical line that had burned off of the building.  My John always be remebered for his dedication and service to New London and may he rest in peace.  Click here to view information about a scholarship fund established in his honor. 

Another newer member of the NLFD is leaving.  FF Jason Preuss, who joined the NLFD in January of 2011, is moving on to the West Hartford Fire Department.  The members of New London FF's Local 1522 would like to wish Jason the best of luck in his new department.  Once again, we find ourselves losing an asset and can't help but ask, why?  The lack of a defined benefit pension is becoming an obvious source of problems when it comes to retaining young firefighters here in New London.  New London FF's are busy, eager, and hard working, but the issue of insufficient 401's and the lack of Social Security protection is too much for most firefighters to ignore.     

NLFF's have started off 2012 with a busy few weeks.  Aside from the multiple building fires in December and January, members have been busy day and night, logging 438 runs as of January 25th.  There have been a number of days this month with over 20 runs in a 24 hour period.  Included in these assignments were multiple crashes, a few car fires, and various other emergencies.  NLFF's have also taken advantage of the spring like weather and conducted training activities.

Group 2 responded to a bedroom fire at 260 Connecticut Avenue on the 1st floor.  Units arrived to find smoke coming from the front door and stretched one hoseline to extinguish the fire.  All occupants were outside of the multi-family building when units arrived on the scene.  All on-duty units responded to the incident.

Group 2 responded to the second fire of the day on 1/12/11 at approx. 9:15pm.  This fire was found on the 3rd floor of what was classified as a "halfway house" by WFSB.  Upon arrival, Engine 11 found fire from a window on the 3rd floor of the large wood frame building, which is located near the intersection of Washington Street.  Members stretched a line to the fire floor and quickly knocked down the fire.  All on-duty units were needed to contain the fire and to conduct searches and ventilation.  Click here for more from WFSB. 

NLFF's responded to a 2nd alarm fire at 48 Reed Street in the early morning hours of 1/12/12.  Members of Group 2 found heavy fire on arrival, with live wires arcing and heavy winds pushing fire toward an occupied house on the south side of the fire building.  A 2nd alarm was quickly transmitted due to conditions and multiple handlines and master streams were used to contain the fire.  Occupants that were in the street stated that everyone made it out of the building.  Click here for more info from The Patch.    Click here for photos from Chris Venditti. 

Group 2 responded with 25 Truck to 239 Ohio Avenue in Groton (Navy Housing) for a working fire in a building.  Members of the SBFD quickly knocked down the fire and NLFF's were released shortly after their arrival (NLFF's can be seen in the front yard of the fire building).  Photos by Corey Watford at www.homebrewtvnews.com.  More photos at localf219.org.