South Fire District Annual Charity Flower Sale

A Message from South Fire: Our annual Easter Flower sale starts Thursday April 2 at the firehouse on Randolph rd. The funds we raise help support local organizations like, Amazing Grace Food Pantry, Middletown Little League, Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, and the Adopt-A-Family program. We will be there from 8am till 7pm Thursday through Saturday, hope to see you then!

South Fire Local 3918 Annual Food Drive November 15

The fire fighters Local 3918 from South Fire District Middletown will be holding its bi-annual food drive for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. This event will be held at Stop & Shop 416 East Main Street Middletown 11/15/14 from 8am – 3pm. Please come by and support our drive to fill the pantry for the Holidays

         Michael J.Howley

Capt. Michael J. Howley

South Fire District Middletown

445 Randolph Road

Middletown CT.  06457

South Fire Open House October 4th!

South Fire Open House & Fire Safety Fair 2014

http://southfiredistrict.com/

Middletown Safety Day & Kiwanis Bike Safety Rodeo in Photos

Kiwanis tents & safety course at Bike Safety Rodeo

As part of the City's Kid's Health & Safety Day, the Kiwanis of Middletown held their annual  Kids Bicycle Safety & Rodeo event on Saturday. In the past, the event has been held in the parking area of the Police Station, but there year the event took place at AME Zion Church on West Street.  Volunteers inspected childrens' bikes for safety and bicycle helmets were given out to participating children. Kiwanis volunteers helped children with bike safety rules as they navigated the bike rodeo course. Earlier in the day, children had the opportunity to participate in a 4 mile guided bike ride leading to downtown. This years events were organized by Kiwanian Chris Holden and Kiwanian & Fire Chief Robert Kronenberger. South, Westfield, and Middletown fire supplied vehicles for showing. Middletown's Tower 1 Ladder Truck displayed its long reach ladder fully extended.Police, Fire, EMT, and other public safety personal gave vehicle tours and were on hand doing demonstrations. Middletown's canine officer Hunter made a special appearance. Across town, Cattales held its annual Walk for Sanctuary at Middlesex Community College.

Current BOE Member & Candidate for State Rep the 33rd Linda Szynkowiz along side Middletown resident & church member Keisha Johnson enjoy the festivities.

Children were fitted with free bike helmets courtesy of Kiwanis of Middletown

Bounce houses and sand art stations lined AME Zion Church's lawn.

Councilmembers Carl Chisem & Robert Santangelo
check out the day's activities.

In the background, a trailer used to simulate a smoke filled room. Middletown police Capt. Sean Moriaty greets people with a remote controlled miniature car (see below photo) while
also providing the voice for the mini cruiser, CouncilwomanDeborah Kleckowski, who sits on the Public Safety Commission looks on.

Mini cruiser.

A variety of police, fire, & rescue vehicles were available for a closer look by citizens in attendance. 

In Memory of Local Firefighter Michael Osiecki

Michael C. "Mike" Osiecki (1959 - 2013)

On behalf of all the volunteer bloggers at the Middletown Insider, we wish to offer our sincerest condolences to the Osiecki family and the firefighter community of Middletown.

After a wonderful day with family and friends, Mike Osiecki passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 13, 2013.

Born to Thaddeus and Vincentina Osiecki, Mike was raised in Middletown, CT, and attended Woodrow Wilson High School. After his graduation in 1978, Mike entered the Marine Corps and proudly served our nation for more than 10 years. For the past 25 years, Mike served the citizens of Middletown with the South Fire District and was actively involved in his community. He supported many local charities and was always available to lend a helping hand to friends and family.

Mike was pre-deceased by his parents and his aunt, Ann C. Fraulino. He is survived by his beloved Brenda Gaski, whom he called his "hun"; his brother and sister-in-law, Theodore and Terri Osiecki; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Catherine Osiecki; and his sister and brother-in-law, Janet and John Milardo. Mike will be missed every day by his nieces: Kristin, Alyssa, Jennifer and Melissa. Mourning this loss will also be his grand-nieces and nephews: Ella, Maddie, Jack and Cristiano. Mike's extended family includes Mama Gaski; Lynn Gaski and her children, Chadd and Sarah; Scott Gaski and his girlfriend, Lucy, and Scott's children, Christa, Savanna, and Coral. Mike is also survived by his "best buddy"-Jack, his faithful Weimeraner.

Mike also leaves behind his fellow firefighters at South Fire District, who have lost a brother.
Mike began his firefighting service as a volunteer in 1977. On July 4, 1988, he became a career firefighter at Middletown's South Fire District, a job he loved until his death. His commitment to the unions that built and serve our country was fierce and lifelong. As a member of Middletown Local 1073 International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), he volunteered to be union steward for South Fire and took numerous classes on labor, health and safety issues. He served Local 1073 as Vice President and, when South Fire applied to form its own local chapter in 1998, Mike served as Local 3918 IAFF's first president. In addition, Mike was a prominent member of Mickey Millane's Fighting Third District of the IAFF; a member of the Executive Board of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut (UPFFA); and Sergeant-at-Arms at numerous IAFF conventions.

Mike's focus was the health and safety of all firefighters nationwide; he served as Chairman of the UPFFA Health & Safety Committee and as a member of the AFL-CIO Health & Safety Committee. He received a Political Activist Award in 2004 from the AFL-CIO for his outstanding work on behalf of union members. As a member of the Executive Board of IAFF 3918, Mike helped negotiate six contracts for the firefighters of South District. His other passion was Workers Memorial Day, and every year, he would attend events that supported the families of workers who lost their lives while doing their job.

Mike was an avid biker and tremendously enjoyed his second family at Yankee Harley-Davidson. He proudly served the Connecticut Patriot Guard and West Conn Hog (Harley Owners Group).
Mike was a wonderful cook, famous especially for his legendary ribs. He had a way with animals and kids, and all the children of his fellow firefighters and friends have special memories of being teased by Mike. He loved nothing more than spending time on Cape Cod with Brenda and Jack.

Anyone who knew Mike knew that his passion for life was contagious, and his personality was as big as the joy he brought into any room. In the words of one friend, "The only thing bigger than his mouth was his heart." He left us much too soon, and he will be sorely missed.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 17, from 2-8 p.m. at D'Angelo Funeral Home, 22 South Main Street, Middletown. The funeral will be held Friday, October 18, at 11 a.m., St. Sebastian's Church, 155 Washington Street, Middletown. Immediately following the mass, Mike will be laid to rest at St. Sebastian's Cemetery in Middletown. A reception will follow at the Middletown Elks Club, 44 Maynard Street, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital, http://foundation.bridgeporthospital.org, 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, CT 06610; Patriot Guard Riders of Connecticut, c/o Marcia Young, Treasurer, 8 Brenda Lane, Old Saybrook, CT 06475; or Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Published in The Middletown Press on Oct. 16, 2013

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/middletownpress/obituary.aspx?n=michael-c-osiecki-mike&pid=167555123&fhid=20372#sthash.kbYMr0mZ.dpuf

South Fire District Open House October 5, 2013 11am – 3pm

South Fire District annual Open House/Fire Safety Festival Saturday 

October 5, 2013  

 11am – 3pm

South Fire Participates in Operation Save A Life

South Fire News Release:

News 8 is proud to partner once again in 2013 with Kidde The Home Depot and The Burn Center and the Trauma Center at Bridgeport Hospital to present Operation Save A Life ; a life-saving program designed to increase public awareness of fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) dangers.

One of the cornerstones of Operation Save A Life is the distribution of smoke alarms to Connecticut families in need; particularly low income, elderly, and other residents at risk in their respective communities. Kidde will again donate smoke alarms and CO alarms that will be distributed by Fire Departments throughout Connecticut.

Today’s donation of smoke and CO alarms with 10 year batteries is huge in terms of peace of mind for those fire departments installing them for the public. “I have been involved in smoke alarm programs since the early 1990’s. Never  has the fire

services  been able to walk away as confident as we can today with the 10 year alarms knowing that the batteries cannot be removed and those who receive the alarms will be protected for many years to come”. Chief Rob Ross, South Fire District, Middletown. South Fire District received 60 CO and 90 smoke alarms for their alarm installation program. Seniors or those who are physically or finically challenged should contact the station to receive the alarms at 860-347-6661

In addition to the distribution of smoke alarms, News 8 has committed to fire safety education and CO awareness by airing Operation Save A Life educational vignettes. The vignettes were produced with help from the New Haven Fire Department and begin airing on September 17^th.

The Home Depot will also be sharing valuable safety tips at their Save a Life Saturday Event on October 5th from 9-3pm at the following  participating stores:

Norwalk, 600 Connecticut Ave
Fairfield, 541 Kings Hwy Cut-Off
Manchester, 80 Buckland Hills Dr.
West Hartford, 503 New Park Ave.
Waterbury, Bank St.
Danbury, 114 Federal Road
Enfield, 136 Elm St.
Glastonbury, 115 Putnam Blvd

Alarm photo 1: Home Depot employees from across CT gather to load up fire department vehicles with smoke and CO alarms.

Alarm Photo 2: hundrens of smoke and CO alrams are piled high ready to be loaded into awaitinf FD vehciles.

Alarm Photo 3: Firefighters Carl Lurtecki, Cliff Seifert and Tim Heiden unload and inventor the 60 CO and 90 smoke alarms received by the South Fire District as part of Operation Save A Life.

South Fire District September 11th Memorial Dedication

Click to Enlarge

News from South Fire : Memorial Update and 12th Anniversary of 9/11

SOUTH FIRE DISTRICT

445 Randolph Road

Middletown, CT 06457

860-347-6661

For Immediate Release:

For Information Contact:   Chief Robert Ross or Captain Michael Howley

860-347-6661

In two weeks, Middletown and the nation will pause to mark the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA.   This year, Middletown’s remembrance ceremony will be held at the South District Fire Headquarters on Randolph Rd. and will coincide with dedication of the City’s permanent 9/11 Memorial and Memorial Garden.  The memorial, a joint project of the South Fire District and the firefighters union, has been constructed on the grassy area at the front of the firehouse on the corner of Randolph Rd and Lee St.  

Captain Michael Howley who heads up the Memorial Committee says the ceremony, which is open to the public, will begin at 8:30 am, with Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, Mayor Daniel Drew, other city officials, Middletown Police Officers and Middletown Firefighters scheduled to be in attendance.  Howley said, “the ceremony will be interrupted for moments of silence at 8:46 am and 9:02 am, the exact times when the two planes flew into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center”.    As is the tradition for 9/11 ceremonies conducted by fire departments, the event will conclude with a special tribute to the 343 New York City firefighters who died that day.  A bell will toll a signal 5-5-5-5, which in the protocol of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) precedes reading of the names of those firefighter who have answered their “Last Alarm”.

Among the speakers for the remembrance ceremony will be Mary Canty of Middlefield whose brother was among the civilians who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center.  The Wadsworth Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be on hand to present the South District Fire Department with a “We Remember 9/11” Flag.  The fire department plans to display the flag throughout the year inside the fire station and to fly it from the flag pole adjacent to the Memorial Garden, each September 11th.

The Memorial Garden has as its focal point a section of a steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center.  The beam stands vertically atop a concrete pedestal at the center of the garden.  South Fire District has been designated as a curator for the 9/11 artifact which remains the property of the Port Authority of New York, the agency that owned the World Trade Center.

The final elements of the Memorial Garden, the engraved brick pavers that make up the walkway to the Memorial and the plaza surrounding it were set in place this week, according to Captain Howley.   

In recent days four Memorial Benches were installed and landscaping of the Memorial Garden has been completed.  Also installed in recent days was the lighting that now illuminates the Memorial and the Garden at night.

Public parking for the September 11th ceremony will be in the same field used for parking during the annual Open House in October.  The field is located directly across Lee Street from the firehouse.   Handicapped parking will be in a designated area on the west side of the South District Headquarters.

South District Firefighters, members of IAFF Local 3918 will continue to sell Memorial Brick Pavers for the Garden well into the future.  Captain Howley stated, “the paved area has been designed with many blank pavers that can be removed and replaced with engraved bricks as additional residents and businesses desire to add their names to the memorial”.  Information about purchasing Memorial pavers is available at the Randolph Rd firehouse and on line at the fire district website, www.southfiredistrict.com.

Update from South Fire on 9/11 Project

 We asked Capt. Mike Howley how the 9/11 Memorial under construction at South Fire was going, here is what he had to say:

South Fire District & Local 3918 IAFF update on 9/11 Memorial Project. Many things will be going on with the Memorial Garden Project this month in anticipation of the dedication ceremony on 9/11 at 8:30am. The footings for the benches are in, the benches will be mounted over the next week by Steve Crouch and engraved. Plantings are continuing to go on around the project. Masonry work will start this week with the inner circle around the Beam being done. The bricks should start to go in around the 26^th of the month. People are welcome to stop by and see the progress of the project and even lift a shovel to assist if they want to!!.

         Michael J.Howley

Capt. Michael J. Howley

South Fire District Middletown

445 Randolph Road

Middletown CT.  06457

9/11 Memorial Update from South Fire District

“Pride of the South Side”

SOUTH FIRE DISTRICT

445 Randolph Road

Middletown, CT 06457

860-347-6661

www.southfiredistrict.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE

After many months of planning and lining up donors and volunteers, a permanent memorial to those who perished or otherwise affected by the events of September 11, 2001 is finally becoming a reality outside the South District Fire Department on Randolph Rd in Middletown.    In recent days the flag pole in front of the fire station was moved with the help of a crane donated by Mylchreest Construction Services, to make way for a landscaped plaza surrounding an artifact from the collapse of New York City’s Twin Towers.  Captain Michael Howley, spokesperson for the committee planning the memorial says “this memorial will honor the fallen heroes of 9/11 and will help insure that the residents of Middletown ‘Never Forget’ the events of The artifact that is the centerpiece of the memorial, a large piece of a steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center, was set in place on a concrete pedestal last year with the help of O & G Industries. The steel beam remains the property of the Port Authority of New York.  The South Fire District is one of 2,000 entities that have been designated as Curators of artifacts from the Twin Towers collapse.  Because 343 members of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) died on 9/11, the memorial takes on special meaning to all members of the firefighting brotherhood, including those at South Fire District.

 Since the steel beam arrived in Middletown last year, South District firefighters, members of Local 3918 of the International Association of Fire Fighters have been soliciting donations for memorial brick pavers, plantings and four granite benches that will make up the memorial plaza.  Captain Howley says the first order for Memorial Bricks has been placed and they should arrive at the South District fire house by the end of the month.  By the time the bricks arrive, firefighters working on their own time and other volunteers are 

expected to have completed site preparation work which includes excavation of the area with the help of Mylchreest Construction that will become the paved plaza and laying in place the processed stone material donated by Tilcon will serve as the base for the brick pavers.  Howley says he expect installation of the brick pavers to begin in the first weeks of August.   Current plans call for the site to be completed in time for a substantial formal dedication on September 11th, the 12 anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers.While many memorial bricks have already been purchased by local residents, Captain Howley 

says more are still available for sale.  4”x 8” brick pavers with 3 lines of information are $75.00, 8’x 8” pavers with 6 lines are $150.00 and 8” x 8” Corporate pavers are $300.   Brick purchase forms for the “Let Us Never Forget 9/11” Memorial are available at the South District Fire House at 445 Randolph Rd and on the District website at www.southfiredistrict.com.  

Payments to the “Local 3918 Memorial Fund” are tax deductible.  Further information can be obtained by contacting Captain Howley at 860-347-6661.  All monies left over after the memorial is completed will be donated to a fund for the families of the 343 members of FDNY who died on 9/11 and the others who have perished since then as a result of injury or illness caused by the Twin Towers collapse.

Captain Howley reports that the granite benches that will serve as a place for local residents to sit while they reflect on the horrific events of 9/11 have already arrived at the fire house, having been donated by Frank Galluzzo a local businessman and his family.   They will be installed in August along with the brick pavers.  A landscaping plan for the site has been donated by Amy Sampson of AES Landscape & Designs and Captain Howley reports the plantings needed to make the plan a reality have been donated by local nurseries.Although not in the original plan, the memorial will be lighted at night thanks to a lighting plan donated by Robert Isleib Lighting Design and a donation of the lights need to illuminate the steel beam, the flag pole, and the plaza.  The memorial plaza at South District Fire House is a project that has been 5 years in the making.   According to Captain Howley, just the application process to the Port Authority of New York to get the piece of steel from the Twin Towers, took two years.

Please click the link HERE for Paver Order Form pdf download.

South Fire Gets New Chief: Robert Ross

South Fire announced today former fire chief Robert Ross will become the new fire chief starting June 24th. Since November 2011, Ross has held the title of state fire marshal. He had previous been a chief with in the City of Middletown and retired from that position. Ross replaces the position vacated by Edward Badamo, when the Fire Commission denied his contract renewal.  Ross had left the position of South Fire Chief to work for the state in November of 2007.

Congratulations to Chief Ross!

South Fire District Easter Flower Sale

Press Release: South Fire District Local 3918 is holding their annual

 Easter Flower Sale this weekend

All proceeds go to Middletown based charities: Amazing Grace Food Pantry, 

Middlesex Cancer Center, 

Middletown Little League, 

Adopt-a-Family Program & MDA.

Event Location:

South District Firehouse, 445 Randolph Rd

Date & Time

March 28 - 30, 2013, 8 AM  to  7 PM

 

 

Letter to the Editor: Greatsinger will make Conservative decisions as South Fire Commissioner

Letters to the Editor are published as a courtesy, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Middletown Insider staff.

 

To the editor: February 1, 2013

The South Fire District Board Of Fire Commissioners has scheduled the Annual Meeting  for Monday,February 4, 2013,at 8:00 p.m. at the Firehouse. This meeting will elect one Commissioner. Public voting for this election will take place between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Monday ,February 4, 2013 via voting machine at the Firehouse. 

As per a recent classified section legal notice,candidates are David P. Gallitto and Todd Greatsinger. The South Fire District budget for the current fiscal year 2012 - 2013 is $4,606,932 with a mill rate of 3.648,an all time high. Included is increased spending of some 16% or $600,000 greater as compared to the previous fiscal year. 

This letter is to endorse the candidacy of Todd Greatsinger a concerned taxpayer as well as a proven accomplished professional business leader, who will certainly demonstrate conservative control and balance is addressing such critical issues as the upcoming budget,questionable CVH support and ongoing collective bargaining negotiations at South Fire District. Todd will always offer a balance relative to the best interest of taxpayers as well as the excellent services being provided by our Firefighters . 

Most importantly, it is critical that the public make every effort to get out and vote on Monday. Your vote is needed and can effect positive change,such as improved services at less cost.

Dan Penney

Chamberlain Hill Road

Middletown,CT 06457

Letter to the Editor: Kleckowski will Advocate for All

Deborah Kleckowski, Councilwoman & candidate for  100th photo credit : middletowneye 9/9/2010

To the Editor:

I urge all voters in the 100th District to elect Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski (R) as your next State Representative in the 100th District.
     Ms. Kleckowski is a mother of young children and a long-time Middletown resident. She attended school here in Middletown and  has been a tireless and committed advocate for all of its citizens on the Middletown Common Council.
      There is no doubt in my mind that once elected, Ms. Kleckowski will work just as hard for all of us in Hartford on the state level. She is a proponent of suspending the Prisoner Early Release Program, has made public safety a cornerstone of her campaign and will work to decrease our state gas tax.
      Her opponent, Matt Lesser, has an abysmal voting record. He always votes the party line, no matter how bad that is for our state. We need change. Vote for Deborah Kleckowski.

Sincerely,

Colin Smith, Middletown

Guest Blog: South Fire's Endorsement of Lesser 'Shameful'

Deborah Kleckowski, 2010, Moose Riders, photo South Fire District website

Dear Citizens,

  The South Fire District Firefighters' Union has announced its endorsement of incumbent representative Matt Lesser (D) for the 100th district. No surprise, unions typically always endorse Democrats no matter what the facts really are.  The Middletown Patch quoted Local 3918 Union President James Mastroianni as follows:  “Matt Lesser has been a friend of South Fire District’s  Professional Fire Fighters for many years and we fully support this  endorsement.”

      I would like to know what exactly has Matt Lesser done to deserve this endorsement? Where are the actual facts?

      Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski, Lessor's Republican challenger, was not even given a fair shot for this endorsement as she was never given an opportunity by union members to discuss any South Fire issues or  interviewed by them before the endorsement was summarily announced.  Furthermore, no vote was taken by the local union members nor were they otherwise polled to determine who they wished to endorse.
      Deborah Kleckowski has always been a proponent of public safety. She  sits on the Public Safety Committee of the Common Council. In 2011, she and  former Republican Mayor Sebastian Giuliano aided in the support of the Middletown Moose Riders'  program to distribute stuffed animals to children during emergency calls. Kleckowski ardently supported the South Fire budget every year, attended the Fire Ops 101 Training program for public officials and completed the entire exercise.
     In 2010, Matt Lesser showed up for this training briefly to show off his Dan Malloy campaign shirt and take a photo before leaving. Kleckowski spearheaded the effort to purchase  and install specialized communication equipment inside the helmets of all city firefighters so that they may more effectively communicate in a fire, not only helping to save  more lives, but to ensure their own safety on the job as well.

      When no emergency access road was designed into the original plans for the new Middletown High School, Deborah Kleckowski advocated and made sure a road was installed at the site.

      Kleckowski worked tirelessly at the emergency shelter set up at the High  School after the power outages last summer and fall. She worked  to make sure emergency personnel had access to the facility when the last  Board of Education Administration fought to block the shelter from even being set up. She also made sure all the union workers- everyone- was paid when the Board of Education, under the direction of then Superintendent Michael Frechette, withheld their pay for over a month. During all this, Lesser was nowhere to be found.
      It would be most enlightening and helpful to be able to compare Lesser's status as a "friend of South Fire District's Professional Fire Fighters" with Kleckowski's actual involvements and accomplishments.

     The failure of the employees of South Fire not to stand up for a person like Kleckowski, and to permit their parent union to endorse Matt Lesser is shameful.

       Kleckowski has proven herself as a true public servant time and time again. Not endorsing her is demeaning, not only to the rank and file firefighters, but to all of the residents and taxpayers of the South Fire District. 

     What is more, it perpetuates a stereotype in Middletown that party affiliation and cronyism outweigh proven hard work  and dedication to the greater good. The firefighters' union owes taxpayer’s more of an explanation than Lesser is a “friend.”

William Wilson,

Vice-Chair Middletown Republican Town Committee

Chief Leaves South Fire District

Chief Edward Badamo , photo from South Fire website.

South Fire Chief Edward Badamo joined the department in 2005.During his tenure he obtained a grant to replace much of the department's Hurst equipment, provided leadership during the Kleen Energy explosion in 2010, and the obtaining of the a beam from the World Trade Center that fell during the 9/11 Terrorist attacks. The beam the been incorporated into a memorial at the station.
The Fire Commission voted 3-2, without giving details at this time, not to renew Badamo's contract.
The Insider would like to thank Chief Badamo for his years of service to our City and wish him well in future endeavors.

South Fire District Firefighters Annual Charitable Easter Flower Sale

The South Fire District Firefighters Local #3918 will be holding their annual Easter Flower sale this week, April 5-7 at the firehouse from 8am -7pm. 

Local charities such as the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, Middlesex Cancer Center, Middletown Little League, Adopt-a-Family and the Muscular Dystrophy Association will be some of the beneficiaries from the profits of the sale. 

A wide range of beautiful potted plants will be sold, including tulips, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths and geraniums, and all profits will go to local charities.

Please come out in support of the cause.
www.southfire.com