Simsbury Celebrates Parade

Simsbury (CT) VolunteerFire Company’s Engine 1 leads the annual Simsbury Celebrates parade the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2022. The 1935 International/American LaFrance C-Model answered its last alarm in 1975. It was restored by fire company members in 1991 to use in parades and at public events.

State Fire Marshal Announces New Fire Academy Director

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey today announced the selection of Jeffrey P. Winn as director of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, the training division of the state’s Department of Fire Services. Winn began his new role on January 3, 2023.

Winn comes to the MFA following a 34-year career with the Massachusetts National Guar d. His experience includes service as chief of the Guard’s Training Di vision, where he was responsible for the planning, coordination, and design of individual and collective training; commander of the 1st Weapon s of Mass Destruction - Civil Support Team, where he worked closely with civilian authorities responding to chemical, biological, radiol ogical, nuclear, and explosive events; and deputy chief of staff for personnel, where he was responsible for human resources services to some 6,000 soldiers. -Submitted by Jake Wark

Springfield Hometown Heroes Night

The Springfield Thunderbirds hosted a Hometown Heroes Night on January 28, 2023. Local emergency vehicles took the ice in between periods. Departments represented included Suffield VolunteerAmbulance Association, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Chicopee Police Department, Springfield Fire and Emergency Services, AMR American Medical Response, National Ambulance Company, Springfield Police Department, East Longmeadow Police Department, and Ludlow Police Department.