Press Releases
08/14/2020
Media Availability: 10-person Group of Firefighters Returns Home Today from Fighting California Wildfire
A 10-person group of trained wildland firefighters will return to Connecticut today after spending the last few weeks in the Modoc National Forest area in northeastern California.
The group is expected to return to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Eastern District Headquarters, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough between 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m.
The group, which left Connecticut on July 24th, includes two DEEP staff members: Western Connecticut Fire Control Officer Amy Burgess, and Justin Wiggins, an Environmental Analyst with DEEP’s Fisheries Division. Other crew members include one State of Rhode Island forestry employee. The rest are private sector fire fighters.
The crew members are:
|
Last name |
First name |
City |
State |
|
Arnold |
Ben |
Pomfret Center |
CT |
|
Burgess |
Amy |
South Meriden |
CT |
|
Flamio |
Anthony |
Farmington |
CT |
|
Hussey |
Farrah |
Mansfield |
CT |
|
Kronick |
Michael |
Stratford |
CT |
|
Moffat |
John |
Guilford |
CT |
|
Morrisey |
Jed |
Higganum |
CT |
|
Rossiter |
Brian |
Groton |
MA |
|
Shafer |
Emily |
Madison |
CT |
|
Wiggins |
Justin |
Newington |
CT |
DEEP maintains a roster of agency staff members and personnel who have been certified to fight forest or wildfires. Crew members must complete a rigorous training program and participate in an annual physical work capacity test and refresher training.
Connecticut maintains this firefighting capability to participate in a reciprocal aid program operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Under this program, trained personnel from other parts of the nation are available to assist Connecticut in the event of a fire emergency or other natural disaster in return for the support of Connecticut personnel when needed. All state agency expenses directly associated with these deployments are 100% reimbursed to the State by the U.S. Forest Service.
The group assembled at DEEP’s Eastern District Headquarters July 24. It followed USDA Forest Service COVID-19 protocols, including pre-screening for COVID-19, and daily COVID-19 screening upon arrival and throughout the assignment. The crew will follow post-deployment demobilization procedures and safety protocols upon return.
What: Wildfire group returns home
When: Friday, August 14, between 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m.
Where: DEEP Eastern District Headquarters, 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
Other information:
The designated parking area for Media will be in front of the gate, parking by the brown house. DO NOT go through the gate.
More at: www.ct.gov/DEEP | Follow on Facebook at CTDEEP| Follow on Twitter @CTDEEPNews, @CTStateParks
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110