Baldis glad to give back to his hometown Canton Today Staff
SIMSBURY FIRE CHIEF James “Jim” Baldis became a volunteer firefighter in 1975. He has been chief of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company for 15 years. Born in Westport and raised in Simsbury, Baldis has lived in town since 1960. He will turn 62 in late April. Here’s his Q-and-A with Today Publishing: Today Publishing Magazines: Why did you decide to serve as a volunteer firefighter? Jim Baldis: I wanted to give to the town I grew up in and did not want to get involved in politics. A schoolmate in high school was a member and encouraged me to join, which I did right after graduating high school. TPM: What is the most satisfying aspect of your volunteer work? Baldis: Helping others when they are facing a bad life experience. TPM: What’s the most challenging aspect of your work, and how do you meet the challenge? Baldis: Having to respond to incidents and tragedies that involve members of the
community you have known a good part of your life, especially children. To meet that challenge, I remind myself that ... my response can hopefully make things better for those involved and their families. TPM: What is your most memorable fire call? Baldis: There were two — one of my first ones, which was a tobacco barn fire where I was the first to the firehouse and drove the engine to the fire. The fire ... was spectacular and made me feel a bit overwhelmed as to how we would ever get it out. We did lose that barn but saved the others, which are still standing today in the middle of the field on Hoskins Road. The other call was the more recent barn fire where there was a loss of over 20 horses at Folly Farm. I was command at that fire, and while we had an excellent response and quickly suppressed the fire, the loss of life was overwhelming. Even knowing that loss occurred well before we got the call does not make it easier to accept the impact it had on our firefighters, the farm, the farm family and our community.
HONORING FIRST RESPONDERS TPM: Please share an anecdote that gives a snapshot of your firefighting work: Baldis: I guess the traditional “cat in the tree” call, which does exist — yes, we have rescued a cat or two from trees. Not in all cases are we able to help, but we are willing to at least check to see if we can help in some way. We have also rescued baby ducks that had fallen into the storm sewer and were unable to get out to reunite with their mother. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the time we had to rescue pygmy goats that were placed on the Simsbury High School roof as a senior prank. While our service is not always spectacular, I can assure you it is often emotional and we do our best to help. TPM: Of the movies or TV dramas you’ve seen about fire departments, which one comes closest to the real deal? Baldis: The movie Ladder 49 — the firefighting may not be real, but the life of a firefighter, the brotherhood and sisterhood and the fire service family that exists is real.
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