First In






I welcome you to my blog site; I hope to show you the fire service in NLC in some interesting events. During the next few years, I will improve on the content and photos to keep you coming back for more. I take pride in my photography and try my best to be first in when possible. The majority of the photos will be from the Norwich companies & surrounding area departments, but sometimes I Buff out of state cities for a change of pace.



As of late I have missed or worked a lot of the incidents. I have a great support group of Photographers to help the site keep up with all the incidents. There are too many to list, So thanks for your support. Thanks for visiting and enjoy .RD Ladd



As of July 2017, my site has had 319000 hits thanks for viewing. If you keep coming I will keep posting. First time visitors for older post click on the month links right side.



Remember: I'm not able to make every major event, so if you get some photos or video and would like to share them, please contact me @ laddr68@yahoo.com



If your interested in viewing all of the incident photos or purchasing a photo That I have taken click here.



This site will work with mobile devices.






Sunday, December 31, 2006

Bozrah responded for a tanker rollover. 12-30-06

04:15 am Bozrah Fire department was dispatched for a tractor trailer rollover Rt-2 Westbound @ the Exit 23 off ramp. Upon arrival of first incoming units gave the corrected address as Haughton Rd across from Mains country store. When units arrived they found A tanker with Appx. 6,000 Gallon milk on Its side about 5 ft' for a occupied house, leaking heavily, milk was flowing into the basement of the house and heading down the road to Fitchville Pond. Fire department and town crews set up sand dikes to prevent the milk from entering the pond and the basement. The occupants self extricated. E.M.S treated the driver. Several state agencies responded for Haz-mat clean up. This is the 2nd time this year that BFD has responded for a tanker truck of milk rolled over.

Photo's & info provided by Bill W BFD

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Funeral for Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf II. 12 27 06

December 27, 2006 - a Mass of Christian Burial for Connecticut National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf II was today at the St Patricks Cathedral in Norwich. Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf was killed Dec. 15 when his armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Military, police and fire personnal from Eastern Connecticut were in attendance to pay tribute to a fallen solider. Also in attendance were the Rhode Island chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders. a group of riders whose mission is to "shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protester, or group of protesters." After the mass of christian burial Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Phaneuf will be buried at Arlington National Cemertary in Virginia. Staff Sgt Joseph E Phanuef was also a member of the Eastford Independent Fire Company No. 1. A full firefighters funeral was given.
(Report taken from ECTFP, Dupuis)

Taftville & Norwch's towers fly the flag high
Connecticut State Wide Firefighters Honor Guard

Invited guest, members of various patriotic motorcycle groups
gathered outside the church to show support.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

2006 A Year in review, Video

A joint effort from Q's, Eastern CT & NLCFire made this video, It covers a vast majority of the incidents from Eastern CT. You can view it on all three Blog's. We hope you enjoy it.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Warren, RI. Two car MVA Fatal

Sunday Dec 10th, around 1:pm. The warren Fire Department responded to a two car head-on at Market & Old Market St. Crews found two cars with heavy damage with a total of three pt's trapped. Warrens Special Hazards(Heavy Rescue) started the extrication, Due to the damage and amount of victim's, a request for Swansea FD to aid the operation. All Pt's were removed in about one half hour. At the hospital two elderly women were pronounced deceased. One female is in critical condition.



Provided by Pat O'Brien

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Norwich, Chestnut St. Vacant building fire. 12-10-06

Around 2:30 AM, Norwich Fire Department responded to a building undergoing renovation on Chestnut St. for a building on fire. Car -1 requested Ladder -55 as the extra truck. The fire appeared to be running the walls from the basement to the 3rd floor. The fire was placed under control in about 1 hour.
It has been reported that the cause of the fire was a leak in a propane supply line.
(The photos were taken about 20min's into the fire).

Yantic MVA, 12-09-06. Pin Job

At 20:47 hrs Yantic Fire Department responded to a reported two car MVA at Westtown St. & Exit 82 off 395. On arrival Car -3 reported a two car with three injuries, one serious. One car had full air bag deployment with a person requiring extrication in side. Crews removed the passengers side doors and roof of a LEXUS lx470. As ems personnel worked the patients in both the LEXUS and a Hummer. All patients were transported by American to backus. Lt. O'Connell works with the combi tool to open the passengers door. FF Manfredi cuts windshield for roof removal

FFs start to work on rear door. Pt. Cover with blanket as EMS personnel attend to the injuries.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Yantic/Occum Car fire, 12-03-06

Around 7pm Sunday, Yantic and Occum fire departments were dispatched to 348 Scotland Rd. For a reported car fire within a detached garage, with exposures . On arrival of Car 3, he reported that a heavily involved car was inside a tent style storage unit about 10' from the building. On arrival of E-32 two 1.75 lines were streached, one for attack the second for the exposure. E-41 was used for water supply due it being a non-hydranted area. The Yantic and Occum had the fire under control in about 5 minutes. No damage to the exposure.


Firefighters Bennett & Welch advancing the line as Lt. P O'Connell directs them.


The owner watches as, Yantic and Occum overhaul the area and set-up lighting.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Yantic, Building fire, 11-24-06

Friday Nov 24, around 13:50. LT Paul O'Connell passed by a small building on Yantic Rd. He noticed light brown smoke coming from the roofline. At that time he notified Norwich fire of the possible building fire. Yantic responded and forced entry to find smoke banked down to about 4ft off the floor. Crews located the fire in the ceilings area, as other members laddered the roof and ventilated the area above the fire. The fire was confined to a small area. Norwich FMO is investigating the cause.
The building is under renovation to become a bakery.

Photo by: Pat Coleman

Monday, November 20, 2006

City of Groton, Latham St. House fire. 11-20-06

November 20, 2006 - Just after noon the City of Groton Fire Department with mutual aid from Electric Boat, Poquonock Bridge, Submarine Base, Center Groton, and Mystic Fire departments responded to the corner of Latham St and Thames St for a fire on the #2 floor. First arriving Co. found heavy smoke conditions within the building.Multiple handlines were stretched. I believe a 2nd alarm was transmitted, But not sure? Chiefs and officers discuss mop up operations. G-15 overhead.

A shot inside the front door

A firefighter prepares to take up

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Fire from the Past

Well thing have start to pick up in the area, But I have missed most of them, so here are some older shots ( I have raided some of my photo books). So enjoy. For some newer shots check out the blog links for some new action.
At least something stops at a stop sign..... Live burn, Wawecus St. Yantic (two above)
Norwich, Prospect St. Apartment house fire w/rescue of a male occupant.
(on porch) New London 2nd Alarm, Old rail road round house.
Norwich, Prospect St. Several buildings on fire.Josetown PA. House fire
East Great Plain
(Former Chief Drozynski)
Norwich SQ-A & Tower 1 (aka Truck 1) Chestnut St. Warehouse fire.
Bozrah Fire, A vacant office building

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Lawnmower Fire

Late October Yantic Fire Engine Company responded to Case St. for a lawnmower fire, on arrival found the engine comartment and front tires burning. E-32 crew exstingushed the fire, with minor damage to the lawn....

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Subase Haz-Mat, Oct. 2006

Last week Submarine Base Fire Department responded to the Nautilus Museum for a reported Freon Leak. After investigation found that worker on the roof cut a pipe and a small leak accrued. Fire department used C-15 to access the rooftop due to the leak in the area of the roof hatch. The leak was controlled bye shutting off the storage tank.Asst. Chief Steel and Captian O'Brien (Acting asst. Chief in training)

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Fire on the High Sea's. Sept 06

Long Island Sound off of Fishers Island, NY. Several CT fire departments boats were requested by the Coast Guard for a 30+ft boat on fire. Mystic fire department were the first to arrive and found a well involved boat.
The boat was an total loss.
Photo's taken by boater in the area.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Submarine Base Fire Department, Old timer’s day

For the 2nd year SBFD held a reunion with retired and former firefighter & officers, About 160 past and present employs and family members visited FDHQ some for the first time in 20 years. One member traveled from Oregon. Lots of stories of fires and pranks were shared. A good time was had by all and we hope to see more past members next time.

Above are some of the retired and former members along with some close friends of the Submarine Base Fire Department. If you are a former member and would like more info contact us at SBFD HQ or send me a e-mail, We are still looking for some past members.