Haddam Volunteer Fire Company

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Haddam Volunteer Fire Company

Volunteer Fire Company serving Haddam, Connecticut. Our response area is about 46 square miles populated by about 7,300 people.

The Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responds to all areas in the Town of Haddam west of the Connecticut River, including the Villages of Higganum and Tylerville. We work out of three stations and are an entirely volunteer organization established back in 1930.

06/17/2026

🔥🔥🔥During Haddam Volunteer Fire Company's weekly drill night on June 15, members reviewed the stages, behavior, and interior dynamics of a structure fire by observing fire spreading inside a training aid resembling a house.

Pioneered by Connecticut Fire Academy Director of Training P.J. Norwood, and constructed with strand board by HVFC Captain Josh Meyer, the fabricated, two-story “house” contained five separated compartments—two on the “ground floor,” two on a “second story,” and an attic. The compartments had removable barriers used to control the ventilation and exhaust of the fire. This allowed firefighters to practice “reading smoke” and identifying the flow path.

The top, left room—labeled number 4—was a completely isolated room and represented a bedroom with a closed door. The room—which instructors checked frequently throughout the demonstration—remained below 180°F whereas other rooms had temperatures exceeding 1100°F. 🔥🔥🔥🚑 🚒

Members watched for about 30 minutes as the fire eventually engulfed the entire structure and collapsed.

“While this demonstration shows firefighters that viable spaces may continue to exist in well involved structures, it also serves as a lesson to the community, that sleeping with a closed door is sleeping safe,” Captain Meyer said.

Learn more about the importance of closing doors before you doze at https://closeyourdoor.org/.

(Photos by Olivia Drake, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company, Connecticut Fire Photographers Association)

06/13/2026

🔥This month, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company welcomed Junior Division member Andrew Ferguson to the regular membership as a Probationary member. He was sworn in on June 1 as an EMT-track member with a six-month probationary period.

🔥Once a Junior Division member turns 18, he or she can join the regular membership.

🔥 Andrew, who will graduate from Haddam-Killingworth High School on June 18, already completed Introduction to the Fire Service at the Connecticut Fire Academy and is CPR certified. He’s working to become an EMT and plans on taking FFI and FFII, and aspires to become a career firefighter.

Andrew is the son of Will Ferguson of Middletown and Angela Ferguson of Higganum and is the stepson of HVFC Firefighter Jed Morrissey of Higganum.

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Andrew! ⭐👏🔥

Do you have what it takes? We’re seeking dedicated volunteers from the Haddam community to fill the ranks of firefighter, EMT, and Fire Police. Training and gear are provided. All we ask for is your time. Learn more at haddamfire.com.

06/10/2026

On June 8, members of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company participated in a rope rescue training exercise on Dublin Hill, across from the Higganum Cove Preserve.

The scenario involved rescuing a person who had fallen down a steep embankment. Members practiced safely reaching the patient, providing medical care, and securing the patient into a rescue litter for removal. 👩‍🚒👨‍🚒🔥

Using rope rescue equipment, crews worked together to safely bring both the patient and rescuers back up the hill.

Training exercises like this help prepare our firefighters for emergencies in difficult-to-reach locations and ensure they can respond safely and effectively when called upon.

(Photos by Olivia Drake, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company, Connecticut Fire Photographers Association)

06/01/2026

Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to a motor vehicle accident at 3:20 p.m. today, June 1. Three vehicles collided around Dollar General on Killingworth Road in Higganum. Four patients were transported via ambulance to Middlesex Hospital, Hartford Hospital, and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC), and one patient was transported via LIFE STAR to CCMC with injuries. One more person was evaluated on scene but refused additional medical treatment.

The landing zone for LIFE STAR (pictured) was set up at Burr Elementary School in Higganum.

Both lanes of Killingworth Road were closed during the incident and traffic was rerouted.

The incident is under investigation with Connecticut State Police.

HVFC also responded to a motor vehicle accident at 6:50 a.m. this morning on Route 9 South in the median; 6:40 p.m. May 31 on Little City Road; and 9:30 p.m. May 26 on Saybrook Road.

05/25/2026

Members of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc., and the HVFC Auxiliary marched in the annual Memorial Day parade today.

Several of our members are military veterans or active servicemen.

During the service, firefighters and EMS personnel responded to a medical call. Following the event, Auxiliary members sold homemade clam chowder (prepared by Haddam firefighters early this morning) to parade-goers to benefit the Haddam Veterans Museum.

(Photos by Olivia Drake/Connecticut Fire Photographers Association, HVFC)

05/19/2026

HVFC AUXILIARY CHOWDER SALE IS MAY 25!

The Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary will be selling homemade clam chowder on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, immediately following the parade. HVFC members begin cooking the chowder at 4 a.m.

This sale is held across from the town green.

A cup of chowder is $6; a quart is $12. Quarts should be ordered in advance by calling 860-301-3620 and they must be picked up in the kitchen by 11 a.m.

05/18/2026

On May 16, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company welcomed back retired Life Members to the 49th annual Old Timers’ Night. These members served at least 15 years with the company.

The “Old Timers” were treated to a social hour, surf-and-turf dinner, a prize raffle, and conversation with fellow and current members.

05/08/2026

When Scott and Donna Brinckerhoff realized their “Velcro dog,” Panko, was missing May 4 from their Plains Road property in Haddam, they immediately knew something was wrong.

The 2-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle mix (Bernedoodle) always stayed close by and never wandered beyond the boundaries of the couple’s four-acre property.

“It was highly unusual for Panko not to be around us,” Scott says. “We began looking for him everywhere, inside and out, and calling his name. We even drove down Plains Road on the off chance he had chased some woodland critter and gotten lost. No luck.”

Donna then enlisted the help of the couple’s 8-year-old German Shepherd, Remy, whom she describes as Panko’s “best pal.”

“Remy knows the ‘find’ command very well, although it’s usually used for hidden treats,” she says.

Remy seemed to understand the assignment. Immediately, he put his nose to the ground and began searching.

Before long, he stopped beside a decades-old pile of construction debris and large rocks.

“And sure enough, there was Panko, trapped between a rock and a hard place, with only his nose protruding,” Scott recalls. “He was clearly in bad shape — exhausted and likely in shock. He was whimpering but didn’t seem to have any bark left in him.”

At 3:55 p.m., Scott called 911, and a dispatcher at Valley Shore Emergency Communications sent Haddam Volunteer Fire Company to help extricate a “K9 stuck in a rock wall behind house.”

“We got Panko some much-appreciated water and assured him help was on the way,” Scott says. “Four vehicles and six firefighters, including the chief, arrived and began assessing the situation. They were especially concerned that moving any rocks could put Panko in danger.”

After winning Panko’s trust with a few chunks of baked ham, firefighters used pry bars and plenty of muscle to dislodge the large rock. The extrication took about 15 minutes.

Panko “shot out like a Jack-in-the-Box,” Scott recalls, “and immediately introduced himself to his rescuers.”

Even the Brinckerhoffs’ orange cat, Mickey Finn, stopped by to observe the action.

Although Panko was trapped for possibly four hours, he made a full recovery.

“Donna and I will forever be grateful to our neighbor firefighters, who saved the day for us and our little buddy.”

For the firefighters who answered the call, the rescue was simply part of serving the community — although one with an especially rewarding outcome.

“Haddam Volunteer Fire Company members respond to all kinds of emergencies, but this one definitely had a happy ending,” Fire Chief Sam Baber said. “Our crews took great care to make sure Panko could be freed safely without causing further injury, and we’re grateful everything worked out so well. Credit also goes to Remy for leading the family right to him. It was truly a team effort, and we’re happy we could help reunite Panko with his family.”

05/05/2026

During Haddam Volunteer Fire Company's monthly meeting on May 4, Jack Jarboe was sworn into the Junior Division. Jack’s a Haddam resident and Vinal Tech student.

The HVFC Junior Division is comprised of 14- to 17-year-old cadets who learn alongside firefighters and perform support functions at calls. Once a Junior turns 18, he or she can join the regular membership.

Also, Probationary Members Michael DiGiacomo and Bill Meyer completed their company requirements and are now full members.

Join us in congratulating Jack, Michael, and Bill!

05/03/2026

Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to more than 40 calls for emergency services in April including three brush fires, three motor vehicle accidents, two wires burning, and one structure fire.

At 10:25 p.m. on April 30, crews responded to Candlewood Hill Road for a motor vehicle accident. The operator was evaluated on scene and refused additional medical treatment.

At 3:25 p.m. on April 25, Haddam Volunteer Fire Company and Durham Fire responded to a two-acre brush fire in the state forest off Blue Hills Road. Crews accessed the fire using brush trucks and UTVs. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire.

At 4:20 p.m. on April 23, Haddam’s Tanker 2-13 was requested as mutual aid to East Haddam for a structure fire in a detached garage on William F. Palmer Road. A fill site was established on North Moodus Road. Many towns worked to extinguish the fire. The East Haddam Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

At 3:15 p.m. on April 21, Haddam Fire responded to Route 9 North for a reported fuel spill. A truck driver ran over a bumper in the road that damaged the fuel tank. Crews estimated 90 gallons of fuel spilled. Firefighters used multiple absorbent booms to prevent the spread of liquid contaminants. Crews later turned the scene over to DEEP and Connecticut State Police.

At 2:50 p.m. on April 12, crews responded to Walkley Hill Road for a small brush fire that resulted from a resident’s campfire. Crews quickly worked to extinguish the fire, which had spread to a neighboring fence.

At 10: 50 p.m. on April 3, HVFC, with mutual aid from Chester Hose Company, responded to a motor vehicle accident on Cedar Lake Road. The driver self-extricated, was evaluated on scene by EMS personnel, and refused additional medical treatment.

This month we also welcomed our newest probationary members—Will Stolen, Michael Souza, and Tyler Logan—who were sworn in during the company’s monthly meeting on April 6. Will, who joined as a Junior Division member, is returning to the company after a short recess.

Volunteer firefighters are needed! Prior experience in the fire service is not required. Our members are men and women, students, landscapers, contractors, engineers, mechanics, business owners, and retirees—some in their late teens, others with 40+ years of service under their belts. We provide the training and gear; you provide your time.

Want to join our ranks? Visit haddamfire.com for more information or to request a membership application.

Address

439 Saybrook Road
Higganum, CT
06441

Website

http://www.haddamfire.com/

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