On the first day of January 2022, the pagers sounded at 7:15pm. The message read: car vs house, no injuries. Location was near the junction of South Brook and Route 6. The fog on this night was as thick as pea soup, but that did not prevent a timely response from the Hampton Fire Company (HFC). Six minutes from the initial call the company chief was on scene. Ten minutes from the initial call, two response vehicles and nine other members were on scene, including two EMTs. Considering the nature of the accident, there was relief as well and a bit of head scratching as to how there managed to be no injuries. Sometimes people are just lucky. By 8:15pm, all vehicles and personnel were back at the station. And thus began the new year for the volunteers of HFC.
The year 2021 saw HFC responding to a total of 174 emergency dispatches. These included 89 medical calls, four structure fires, five fires of other nature, and 19 vehicle accidents. Other dispatches included such things as trees and wires down, basement pumping, response to smoke/CO alarms and mutual aid to other towns, etc.
Due to changing demographics, work situations, and a mobile population, volunteerism is down in Hampton, in Connecticut, and across the country. Nevertheless, HFC has, so far, been able to maintain its all-volunteer status. At this time there are 22 active members on the roles, most of whom work day-jobs out of the area. Member meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm. Training meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7pm. We are always looking for, and welcome, new members. It’s not all about rushing into burning buildings – seldom actually. Interested? Stop by. Many hands make light work. There is a job for you.
Fire House Dog