Berlin Volunteer Fire Department

08/26/2026

Engine 10 and Truck 9 out with a grill fire earlier today.

Firefighters arrived to find a gas fed grill on fire in close proximity to the home, the fire was being fed by propane from a newly installed 20 pound tank.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and checked the home for extension. Damage to the house was minor and did not extend past the vinyl siding.

08/25/2026

It's not common to flow 1000+ gallons a minute at a fire. The majority of fires we attend require just a few small hoselines and less than 500 gallons a minute to put under control.

Monday evening members reviewed monitors and large diameter attack lines. These devices can individually accommodate 250-500 gallons a minute and are used in instances of heavy fire loads such as warehouses, large commercial or industrial facilities, or where the incident requires a prolonged deluge of water.

Although it is rare for us to see fires requiring these higher flow rates, training on these devices regularly ensures readiness for both our firefighters and pump operators.

08/18/2026

At 11:24 am Berlin’s 4 fire companies were dispatched to 304 Christian Lane, Precision Punch and Tooling, for a reported explosion resulting in a fire.

The first arriving resources found a moderate to heavy smoke condition inside the manufacturing area of the facility and employees in the process of evacuating the building. Several employees initially fought the fire with portable extinguishers which helped keep the fire in check. Firefighters deployed a hose line to the interior and were able to quickly extinguish the remaing fire. Operations also involved an extensive amount of ventilation to clear the smoke from the facility.

One employee was evaluated on scene for a minor laceration, and several other employees were evaluated for smoke inhalation. None of the injuries required hospitalization and there were no injuries reported by fire personnel.

The incident occurred during a grinding process where a stray spark ignited cooling oil which entered a portion of the ventilation system. Connecticut DEEP responded to assist with chemical identification and hazard mitigation. Mutual aid was provided by our Task Force 51 partners who assited with additional personnel on scene and coverage for the town while our crews operated.

Roads in the area were briefly closed during the incident and have since reopened.

08/13/2026

08/13/2026
Structure Fire
109 Worthington Point Road

At 01:21 this morning Berlin’s 4 fire companies were dispatched to 109 Worthington Point Road for a fire reported on the back deck of a residential building, the fire was reported by a neighbor with further reports called in indicating significant fire growth in a short period of time.

Fire resources arriving found a 1 story structure fully involved. There was significant exposure concerns with occupied homes in close proximity to the fire building. Fire personnel placed three lines in operation and were able to successfully protect those exposures while working to extinguish the fire.

The fire building was unoccupied at the time and is primarily used as an office. There were no injuries reported by civilians or first responders and no residents were displaced. The building is a total loss and is scheduled to be demolished.

Berlin’s Fire Marshals Office responded and is handling the investigation, which is ongoing. A lightning strike during the overnight storms is being considered as a possible cause.

In total 22 firefighters from Berlin worked for 2.5 hours to extinguish and overhaul the fire.

Chief Jonn Massirio

Berlin | 13 August | Working fire

08/12/2026

08/09/2026

Another tough day out west.😞

A contractor, Jason Ensign, working the Wrights Spring Fire in Oregon was overtaken when his escape route was cut off, he was found in the cab of his D6 dozer.

In Utah, a S64 Skycrane crashed shortly after takeoff while working the Widemouth 2 fire killing the 2 crew members on board. Names of the crew have yet to be released, the helicopter was contracted by the US Forest Service.

Please keep those lost today in your thoughts along with all the men and women currently out there currently fighting these massive wildfires.

07/26/2026

Cadet Firefighter Training:
Cadet firefighters from Town of Berlin Fire Departments Company #1 East Berlin and Company #3 Berlin participated in training at Company #2 Kensington Fire Station on July 19, 2026.
Training Focus:
The training was designed to build cadets’ confidence in operating in reduced space and entanglement situations that may occur during firefighter duties. Cadets learned how to move through a training prop used annually by Town of Berlin firefighters. They began slowly, with the level of difficulty increasing during each evolution.
We are proud to say the cadets performed exceptionally well.

About the Cadet Program:
The Town of Berlin Fire Departments’ Cadet Program gives local youth ages 16 to 18 the opportunity to gain firsthand experience and practical knowledge of firefighting.
Get Involved
Through the Cadet Program, participants can explore firefighting as both a volunteer opportunity and a potential career path.
For more information about the Cadet Program or how to become involved with the Town of Berlin Fire Departments, please visit the department website at www.BerlinFD.com

07/20/2026

Give the gift of life.
Donald J. Pavasaris (DJ) is a member of Kensington Fire-Rescue and has served the citizens of Berlin for the past 13 years. He currently holds the position of Captain. DJ is a devoted family man and a great friend to us all. DJ is personally battling kidney disease and is in need of a kidney transplant. Many who need a kidney transplant can spend an average of 5-7 years waiting for an organ on the National Organ Transplant Registry, but if there is a living donor, the wait time can be just a few months. ANYONE can be a living donor, it doesn’t need to be a relation. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in being a donor please call 860-696-2021 or go to hartfordhospital.org/livingkidneydonation.
Thank you for considering giving the gift of life. Please feel free to share this post.

07/15/2026

This evening the town's 4 fire companies were dispatched to Middletown Road for a reported structure fire/wires arcing on the roof of the home.
Arriving resources found a downed power line and after investigation it was determined there was no extension into the home. The road was closed for a short period until the hazard could be cleared by Eversource.

07/04/2026

Please be safe out there especially handling fireworks. Enjoy your day and family.