Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company News

Firefighter Tim Gilbert received the President's Award for his service. The fire company President Wally Banzhaf presented the award, established in 1988.

Gilbert oversaw the work on the Frank Bradley Memorial and surrounding walkway of bricks commemorating Simsbury firefighters. From the cast bronze helmet on top of the granite sculpture, the bell inside and the memorial walkway, Gilbert spent the year coordinating the creation and installation in front of the new Main station. The memorial is named after Frank Bradley, the first deceased fire company member, dying in the Hartford Circus Fire in 1944, just days after the formation of the fire company.

Each of the six sides of the memorial represents one of the fire stations in town. A bell from the department’s old ladder truck in the sculpture is rung at the annual memorial service.

The Memorial Walkway honors deceased fire company members who achieved honorary life status and those who died while an active fire company member.

The President’s Award is given annually to a firefighter or firefighters for outstanding service. Gilbert joined the fire company in 1980 as a cadet and is a firefighter at the Main station.

In other news, Captain Todd Myers, Bushy Hill station, of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company has been certified as Fire Officer I by the State of Connecticut. The course is designed to strengthen supervisory and leadership skills. To be eligible for the class, Myers had already completed more than 300 hours of training. Myers has been a firefighter since joining as a cadet in 1993.

 The Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company has announced its executive officers for 2011. Jay Dixon, Weatogue station, will serve as president while Kellan Boudreau of the Main station was elected vice president.

Jim Vangunten and Tim Zeilman, both of the West Simsbury station, were elected treasurer and recording secretary, respectively. Kitty Vangunten, corresponding secretary; Steve Behrens, Firetown station, chaplain; and Ken Boudreau, Main station, assistant chaplain, complete the slate of officers.