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.
Willimantic Fire responded to the area of Pleasant and Mountain, for a
reported building fire. First due reported smoke coming from the eves.
Command quickly upgraded it to a 2nd alarm. The building was a 25x200+
former mixed use. With limited 2 1/2 sides to access. The center was
well involved and quickly burned through the roof and extended to the
rest of the building. Do to know conditions the fire was fought in the
defensive mode. One occupant was transported. Crews worked the fire for a
few hrs before being brought under control.
Today we gathered to remember one of the best, Rob Brown. He will be missed by more then you would think. Within the fire service and Eastern Ct. Its still hard to think a man this strong can be taken this quick. Rob has now joined the fire service, in heaven with some of the greats. He will always be remembered.
Robert F. Brown – It is with heartfelt sorrow that Rob's family
announced his passing on January 24, 2026, after a difficult struggle
with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was 69 years old. Rob was born on
September 30, 1956, in Middletown. He was the son of Frederick Palmer
Brown and the late Patricia (Dawson) Brown. Rob grew up in Colchester
and graduated from Norwich Tech. He married his high school sweetheart,
Donna Sanzone on August 30, 1980. The couple made their home in
Colchester where they raised their family and became actively involved
with the community.
He was a lifelong member of the Colchester
Bible Baptist Church and had a personal strong sense of faith and
devotion. Rob was an accomplished carpenter, but his true passion and
successful career was as a fire fighter. Rob began as a volunteer and
quickly earned his rank, becoming the first paid Fire fighter in the
Colchester Fire Department. His accomplishments were widespread over the
years he served. He helped build the Fire house which is currently in
use by the Colchester fire department. He was an instructor for
firefighting 1 & 2 and was a state fire instructor as well. Rob
earned the Life Saving Award during an emergency call while on duty. He
was Fire Fighter of the Year in Colchester on two separate occasions. He
was one of the first to volunteer to go to New York City after 911 to
help with cleaning up, search, and rescue. Most recently, Rob was
actively involved with the Salem Fire Department, serving as a Captain
with the department there. In other areas, Rob was instrumental and one
of the best customers at Salem Valley Farms where he had an ice cream
named after him. Red Rose in Colchester was also a recipient of his
dedication to sweets. Most importantly, Rob was a family man, who
selflessly would stop at nothing to provide, protect, love, and serve
them. A trait which he extended to his entire community with compassion
and generosity.
Rob will be sadly missed but always remembered
with love by all who knew him, especially his beloved wife of 45 years,
Donna; his children, Samantha and her husband, Stephen Elias of
Cranston, RI, Robert F. Brown III and companion, Jamie Sacilowski of
Colchester; siblings, Jon Brown of Colchester, Kevin (Christina) Brown
of Colchester, Karen (Hutch) Hutchins of Salem, Debbi (David) Hockman of
Spring Grove, PA, sister-in-law, Heidi Brown of Enfield; grandchildren,
Carter and Colton Elias, Remi and Cora Brown; numerous extended family
and a host of friends through the Colchester and Salem Fire Departments
and communities. In addition to his mother, he was predeceased by a
brother, Jeff Brown.
Norwich, With E-62 and Ladder 5 was Dispatched to Sunny Side Ave for a reported fire, caller was from the opposite Street and did not know the address. Car-6 arrived to find a dwelling with fire showing and declared a working fire. Mohegan Tribal Fast was added. Crews Arrived an stretched in as the first hydrant was found to be frozen and the 4th due engine laid in from Rt-12. At that time Car -1 told Bat-1 to upgrade the call to a 2nd alarm. E-33, R-5, Tower 25 and Subase as 2nd FAST. The fire was under control in about a hr.
East Great Plain, Fire was dispatched to 476 New London Turnpike for an unknown type fire. Bat-1 added Norwich HQ, First arriving officer reported heavy smoke from the building. A working fire was declared, This added Mohegan Tribal FAST and 2 Engines from Yantic. Crews worked the 1st and 2nd floors as tower 1 opened the roof, after a short time fire vented from the roof, the was knocked down a few minutes later. NFI
I started in the fire service in 1985 with the Yantic Fire Engine Company #1. In 1991 I started a career with the Submarine Base Fire Department. During this time I found an interest photographing fire departments in action. Over this time my photos and videos have been published in the following, The New London Day, Norwich Bulletin, 1st Responder news papers / Fire House magazine, Fire Chief magazine (a cover Shot)/ Video work has been shown on Ch-8, Ch-3, TV show Code-3. I'm a member with Connecticut Fire Photographers. As you will see I have been running this site for several years now. During this time I have up-graded my equipment. I believe it's working out. So at this time I would like to thank all area fire departments in advance for access to your incidents.
If you need to contact me, laddr68@yahoo.com
I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice."
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