Friday, January 22, 2010 - The City of Stamford is testing for the position of Fire Fighter. All interested applicants may pick up an application package in the lobby of Stamford Government Center (888 Washington Blvd.) or at Central Fire Headquarters (629 Main Street). Application material and information is also  available on the City website at www.cityofstamford.org . The last date for filing applications is Friday, February 19, 2010. The written exam date is scheduled for April 10, 2010.

City of Stamford Fire Fighter Recruitment Page

A downloadable recruitment flyer for this position is available by clicking on the link below:

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - The 2010 Stamford Professional Fire Fighter's Educational Seminar will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 09:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the UCONN Stamford downtown campus.

The event will feature guest speakers: Deputy Chief Anthony Avillo of the North Hudson (NJ) Regional Fire Department and Deputy Chief Frank Montaga of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

Chief Avillo will be presenting: "Safety Always Matters"

Chief Montagna will be presenting: Handing "Routine" Emergencies

The cost is $25 per person. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Stamford Fire Fighters Burn Foundation. We look forward to seeing everyone again for another successful day!

Last year's seminar sold out, please do not wait until the last minute to register. To register online, click HERE.

To download and printable copy of the seminar flyer, click on link below:

Monday, December 7, 2009 - The City of Stamford has taken delivery of a new 2009 Sutphen Tower Ladder for Truck 1. The new truck replaces a 14 year old Sutphen Tower Ladder that had been serving at Truck 2 and Truck 1. Additional pictures to follow.

Thursday, November 26, 2009 - Local 786 has reached an agreement with the City of Stamford to offer IAFF/Nationwide Financial Services to all Local 786 Members and City employees. In addition to the 2 other financial service plans offered by the City, the IAFF/Nationwide FrontLine Plan will be available to all City employees starting January 10, 2010.

Representatives of the IAFF Financial Corporation will be present at the upcoming December meetings of Local 786 and will be able to assist our members looking to transfer funds from their existing 457 plans to the FrontLine plan.

Thursday, November 26, 2009 - Members of IAFF Local 786 came together on Sunday November 1, 2009 at Tiernan's Pub to give Fire Fighter Joe Lombardo a proper send-off. Brother Lombardo is being deployed to Afghanistan with the Connecticut National Guard and will be serving for approximately one year. Good luck Joe and be safe over there!!

Monday, November 9, 2009 - 35 members of the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association came together this past weekend to compete in the "Climb of Your Life" stair climb challenge at the 36 story Trump Parc building in downtown Stamford. This was the first time this event has been held in Stamford and was organized by the American Lung Association. All proceeds from the event go for lung disease research, prevention, and awareness. More than $50,000 was raised by this event alone.

Team Stamford Fire Rescue dominated the events, winning the following divisions:

• Fastest Fire Fighter Team
• Fastest Overall Fire Fighter: Brother Al Hagander with a time of 4 minutes 23 seconds!
• Largest Fire Fighter Team: 35 members
• Largest Fire Fighter Team in the history of the event
• Most combined money raised by a single team: Over $10,000 by Local 786 Members !!!!!!!!!

Special appreciation is extended to Brother Jim Tarzia for his outstanding efforts in promoting and coordination of this event. Brother Tarzia was recognized at the event and had Saturday, November 7, 2009 proclaimed "Jimmy Tarzia Day" by the City of Stamford for all of his hard work. "Good job Jimmy!"

Congratulations to all of this year's participants. We look forward to the upcoming climb in Boston (February 2010) and sponsoring this event in Stamford again next year.

Thursday, October 22, 2009 - On Thursday, October 22, 2009, Stamford Fire and Rescue Captain Matthew Palmer was honored as Stamford's Fire Fighter of the Year for 2009. Palmer was recognized at the annual "Salute to Connecticut's Bravest" dinner hosted by the Connecticut Exchange Club. The event was held at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington (CT) and recognizes Fire Fighters from across the State.

Captain Palmer was nominated for his off-duty efforts in reviving a man found unconscious on a sidewalk while he was on his way home from work. The man was in cardiac arrest and Captain Palmer immediately began CPR until the members of the Hamden Fire Department arrived on scene.

Thanks to the efforts of Captain Palmer, an off-duty LPN, and the members of the Hamden Fire Department, the man was discharged from the hospital less than two weeks later and has fully recovered.

In an interesting twist of fate, the man turned out to be the Brother-in-Law of Captain Palmer's next door neighbor.

Friday, October 2, 2009 - LODD - Fire Fighter Patrick Joyce - Yonkers FD Local 628

The Yonkers Fire Department and Yonkers Local 628 regret to announce the passing of Fire Fighter Patrick Joyce. Brother Joyce was killed today while operating at a residential structure fire in Yonkers.

Brother Joyce was a 16 year veteran of the YFD and leaves behind a wife and 2 young children.

Service arrangements are as follows:

Wake:

Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the McGrath Funeral Home, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville, NY

Monday, October 5, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the McGrath Funeral Home

Funeral:

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 9:45 AM at St. Margaret's Church (Riverdale Ave. & 260 St.), Bronx, NY. Burial will follow in Hawthorne, NY

The Officers and Members of Local 786 extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Brother Joyce and the members of the Local 628.

LOGIN FOR BUS DETAILS !

Wednesday, September 30 2009 - Local 786 Members Attend Annual IAFF Memorial Service in Colorado Springs

Brother Pat Tripodi and Brother Billy Wieck represented Stamford Professional Fire Fighters at the IAFF's Annual Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

This service is held every year to honor the IAFF members killed in the line of duty.

Thanks to Pat and Billy for representing Local 786 this year.

Thursday, July 16, 2009 - Local 786 Running Team Takes First Place In Fairfield

The SFRD running team took 1st place on Sunday in the Fairfield 5k. In the POLICE & FIRE Division, Brother Hagander finished 1st even though he had a separated shoulder and brother Cunningham finished 2nd overall. Brother Tarzia extends his appreciation and gratitude to all of those who participated in this race.

The following members participated: Brothers Hagander, Cunningham, Doherty, Avalos, Hout, H Brown, Lockwood, Brian Teitelbaum and M Brown.

The Stratford MADD Dash 5k is coming up on August 22, 2009. If anyone is interested in running in this race, please contact Brother Tarzia no later than August 19th.

Friday, June 5, 2009 - Remembering Stamford Public Safety Dispatcher Randy Samaha

Veteran Stamford Fire/EMS/Police Dispatcher Randy Samaha passed away late this afternoon as a result of injuries sustained at a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Stratford. Randy was a long-time employee of the City of Stamford Emergency Communications Center, serving as a Public Safety Dispatcher. Randy leaves behind a wife and young family.

The Officers and Members of IAFF Local 786 extend our heartfelt sympathies to Randy's family and the entire Stamford 911 staff.

Additional details will be posted and e-mailed to all members as they are made available available.

We will miss you Randy!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 3 members of the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association appeared on the Rachel Ray Show today to demonstrate physical fitness products. Local 786 members John Lockwood, Alan Hagander, and Rocco Terenzio field-tested various sweat-reducing products during the course of their workouts and fire duties. The 3 Fire Fighters are all heavily involved in physical fitness and provided a first-hand account of the product's performance. This was a great job and appearance by our Brothers. Good work!

To watch the video of their appearance on the Rachel Ray Show, click onto link below:

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - Connecticut Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums St. Patrick's Day Benefit for Aidan Sullivan: Connecticut Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums will be hosting their 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser on Sunday, March 29, 2009 from 1 PM to 10 PM. The event will be held at the Black Bear Saloon in South Norwalk (CT). All proceeds from this year's benefit will go to assist 7 year old Aidan Sullivan. Aidan was born with Hemi-facial Micro Somia and has had numerous surgeries to correct his condition. He will need many more surgeries as he grows older. Aidan's father is a former Stamford Fire Fighter and member of Local 786. He is presently a Fire Fighter with Rescue Co. 1 with the Fire Department of New York City.

For additional information, please click onto attached flyer below:

Sunday, February 1, 2009 - Professional fire protection for all of Stamford. The following letter appeared in the 02/01/2009 edition of the Stamford Advocate:

Letters from readers

City Should Create A Professional Fire Department

To the editor:

The second house in North Stamford has burned down within a short period of time (news story, Jan. 28). When are we North Stamford residents going to get the fire protection that is necessary for us?

I am disgusted by the egos, politics, historical background and whatever else is keeping the city of Stamford's fire department from covering the whole city.

It has the manpower, the equipment and all that is necessary for the job. The days of volunteer fire departments are over. There are not enough volunteers available in this day and age. There is not enough money to ensure proper equipment and training for several small volunteer units.

It makes much more financial sense, and ensures effective fire protection, for one fully staffed and prepared, taxpayer-funded fire department to be responsible for us all.

Trish Dayan

Stamford