Sterling Fire Department

After 11 years of faithful service to the town of Sterling

Chief Bruce Lindberg

Announces His Retirement

1998-2009

Bruce first joined the company in 1962 and served until entering the military in 1967. Returning as a member again in 1976 he has been continually active since, and prior to becoming Chief in 1998 held the positions of 2nd Assistant Chief and 1st Assistant Chief. Training courses attended over the years include Firefighter 1, ICS, hazardous materials operations and LP gas leak and fire control. Bruce became certified as a Medical Response Technician in 1978 and upgraded to Emergency Medical Technician in 1980. On the administrative side of operations he has long served as Secretary of the company and Clerk-Treasurer of the Fire District. Bruce will remain an active member of the fire department.

The officers and firefighters of Sterling Station 67 wish to express their appreciation for Chief Lindberg's honor, dedication and service as Chief of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department.

Sterling man named Firefighter of the Year

In the news: Bruce Henry earned Sterling Station 67 Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year for 2007 & 2008. As a member of the department, Henry in 2007 responded to 128 of the station’s 185 calls, in 2008 he received 170 points the department responded to 182 calls which earned him the honor over the 25 other firefighters who volunteer at the station.

Background: Henry comes from a long line of volunteer firemen. He started his volunteer career many years ago with the Stonington Borough Fire Department Steamers Company. He took 20 years off to raise his children, Bruce III and Dina. In 2002, he and his wife, Pamela, purchased Sterling Park Campground, and a friend convinced him to get back into volunteering. He joined Station 67 in 2006, working his way up from a firefighter to a driver of the department’s trucks. He also is a certified medical response technician and hopes to become an officer at the department some day.

Most memorable call: Henry responded with a fellow firefighter and the Sterling resident state trooper to a call where a 3-week-old baby was unresponsive. They treated the baby and handed it off safely to the ambulance crew when it arrived. Henry said it was a great feeling to use his training and see the baby respond to his treatment.

Quotable: “The reason for being a volunteer fireman varies, from the thrill of it, to a desire to give something back to the community, as a hobby or, as in my case, it is more for self-satisfaction, being able to help someone in need,” Henry said. “You can’t explain the satisfaction or the feeling you get for providing service to that person and the community.”

CHILI FIRE HOUSE COOK-OFF

The Attawaugan Fire Department held is second annual chili cook off on October 25. Sterling Station 67 Captain Craig Bein, Firefighters Bruce Henry and Nicole Rowley were awarded the First place trophy they also received an award for best presentation. They are looking forward to competing again next year.

Fire Department Fund Raiser ( June 2, 2007)

The first annual Sterling Fire Department fund raiser held at Sterling Park Campground was a great success. All enjoyed the smoked beef brisket, baked beans and home made coleslaw. Entertainment was provided by the band Rays Review. Posted below are some photos of the event. The officers and fire fighters would like to thank all who attended and donated their time and money . A special thanks goes out to all who helped make this such a success. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Click on the photos below to enlarge

The Sterling Fire Department has been invited by American LaFrance to display its new Engine 167 at the New England Chiefs show held at the Big E June 22,23 & 24.

Engine 167 is a 2006 American LaFrance. The E-167 has a GMC cab with a custom built bed and is four wheel drive. A 500 gal per minute Hale pump and foam system. The engine holds 270 gallons of water and 30 gallons of foam. The truck is controlled by a state of the art computer system with exterior led lighting, remote winch, generator and a cab operated front turret.

Training

The Sterling Fire Department holds training every Monday night from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The first Monday of the month is Meeting night With drill after. We also participate in two department training with our sister company the Oneco Fire Department one Sunday a month. drill nights can include the following EMS, S.C.B.A. operations, search and rescue, pumping, tower operations, extrication, water/ice rescue, apparatus maintenance, ladders and communications.

THE VOLUNTEER FIREMAN A BREED UNTO THEMSELVES

What is a volunteer fireman? It is a person like you or me that is willing to "volunteer" a portion of their time to their community. The individual may be retired and have extra time; they may have a full-time job and only be able to respond at night or on weekends; or they may be self-employed, like myself, and have some flexibility in the amount of time they can commit and the times in which they can respond to fire calls. The reasons for wanting to be a volunteer fireman varies: from the thrill of it (typically for the younger of age); to a desire to give something back to the community; as a hobby; or as in my case, it is more for self satisfaction. Being able to help someone in need.

What do we as volunteer fire fighters do? As a rural volunteer fireman, we are called into action when the fire alarm sounds over our Pagers, two-way radios or police scanner/ monitors. When a fire is reported, Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications serves as our dispatcher. The first thing we hear is a warbling tone alert over our pager & scanner. Then the dispatcher announces, " Station 67 you have a fire at Route 14 (Sterling RD). " then follows the location of the fire. Here in the country the directions may include local information, like, "Its on the dirt road behind Joe Greens house, to the left of the fork, down behind where the old school bus used to be parked." For those people that have lived here all their life, this is adequate. For a person that has fairly recently moved to the area, getting there can sometimes be a challenge. In my case, As a driver operator I usually sign on and respond to the station. On my way to the station I will have contact with one of the officers, of our fire department who has lived in the area most of their life, and understands my problem of trying to get to the fire. So they gives me detailed instructions on how to get to the fire location. Fortunately, the other firemen in my department know the area and are usually on their way.

Fire calls for our department are normally either medical, grass or forest fires, house fires (or other type of buildings, example: barns), or car fires. Each involves different techniques and equipment to handle. We also respond to calls to assist other fire departments in our area; this is called mutual aid. And being a fireman of any sorts is not without its risks.

I could probably ramble some more, but this covers some of the main points about my being a volunteer fireman hope you enjoyed it and found it interesting and informative.

Become a volunteer today and join our TEAM!
Call 860-564-7435

The Fireman Prayer

When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Enable me to be alert and
Hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
And protect their property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
Please bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife