Hello and welcome to my website. In 1976 I began a long journey to photograph all of the fire apparatus in the state of Connecticut. I had begun by shooting new apparatus deliveries and reporting on major fires in the New Haven area for the Hartford- based Alarm Room News. I became very interested in the stations and apparatus in Connecticut as a result of my reporting as well as genuine intrigue about the locations and history of my state as I traveled around.
Luckily, Connecticut is a relatively small state consisting of 169 cities and towns contained within 8 counties. If I lived in California or Pennsylvania, this objective of photographing all of the apparatus may not have come to fruition. So, slowly, but surely, weather permitting, and with the cooperation of firefighters willing to drive out the rigs for me to photograph them, the dream was realized in 1987. That is when I photographed four rigs of the East Thompson Fire Co. in the northeastern Connecticut town of Thompson. Shortly after that, I produced " Fire Apparatus Photo Album of Connecticut-Volume One" which was published by Visiting Fireman Publications.
But I did not stop there. I continued on simply because new apparatus deliveries and apparatus refurbishments take place, so I kept updating my work and went right on photographing rigs from the stations I had been to.
As a spillover benefit of the thousands of miles traveling from town to town in Connecticut to photograph apparatus is my ever-increasing knowledge of state trivia, historic places, knowledge of the unique types of town governments, and meeting many firefighters, both paid and volunteer, industrial and airport firefighters and vehicle collectors who have antique fire engines in their collections. I am grateful to them all for their assistance.
I always strive to photograph the apparatus in the bright or hazy sunlight. I always position them in a 3/4 view with as good a background as is practical. I also like to use slide film along with black and white to maintain the best views. No, I don't do digital, I consider myself a purist--film only.
For posterity, when I shoot the rig for my collection, I also do something to prove I have been to the location. I will get a close-up of the lettering denoting the city or town the truck serves with my kids standing next to it or use a tripod or one of the kids to photograph me in that position. These pictures I keep in a separate file to show anyone who may be interested.
In 1998, I produced Volume 2. The Visiting Fireman published the book in a small press run. That is why it is a hard volume to find. In early 2006, I wanted to make volume 3, I realized that I had to go my own way and find another publisher to help me with some different ideas that I had. A local printer-publisher in West Haven, GHP Press let me have complete freedom to do the book the way I wanted it. So, I made a self-imposed deadline to have it ready by July 1st. This volume included 360 of my photos filling 96 pages including the front and back inside covers. All 169 cities and towns are represented in this book. in 2011 I decided to tell my story in detail and wrote and published 'THE CONNECTICUT FIRE SERVICE EXPERIENCE' and again in 2017, THE CONNECTICUT FIRE SERVICE EXPERIENCE VOLUME 2-THE TRADITION CONTINUES!! Many firefighters, fire buffs, and apparatus owners have driven hundreds of thousands of fire apparatus out for me to photograph each one!!! I am grateful for their help and have placed their names in a very complete acknowledgments chapter in the book! Thanks to retired Hartford Firefighter Keith Victor for giving me the assignment for fire reporting for his "Alarm Roon News" all those years ago which launched my apparatus photo hobby. Thanks to East Hartford Fire Captain Glen Vincent for his technical knowledge. Glen is the best resource for apparatus and commercial truck information, he is an expert in the art and science of fire apparatus specifications and manufacturers. So, now, my special announcement for 2023 introduces 'THE CONNECTICUT FIRE SERVICE EXPERIENCE VOLUME 3-OUR HERITAGE AND OUR FUTURE!!!!! This is a larger volume with many more photos that continues my story and continues the tradition of my fire apparatus photo hobby!!!
Relive the history of my Connecticut Fire Apparatus Odyssey. I still get around the state and keep up on photographing the new and refurbished rigs in the state (yes, I still use film.). It's harder now with our other interests, kids, a new granddaughter, dogs, and their demands, but I keep on going! (read the books to find out!!!). Check out this webpage and visit my Facebook page. My exclusive distributor for my latest book, 'The Connecticut Fire Service Experience Volume 3' is FSP Books and Videos, www.Fire-Police-EMS.com ... order your copy today!!!! Last, but certainly not least, I am a retired career Fire Lieutenant in the West Shore Fire District in the city of West Haven. I have worked in my department for 29 years. in 2016, I was inducted into the Connecticut State Firefighters Hall of Fame. There is no higher calling in the Connecticut Fire Service and I am continuing my love and dedication to my State and its Fire Service. Just as a side note, my New Orleans Saints won Superbowl 44, Champions at long last!! WHO DAT!!
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