Press Releases
08/24/2023
DEEP Announces Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew's Return from Montana Deployment
[HARTFORD, CT] – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is thrilled to announce the safe return of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew (CIFC) following their recent deployment to Montana. Having deployed on August 8th, 2023, to the Colt fire a few miles northwest of Seely Lake, the crew of 16 battled fires in near red flag conditions.
The CIFC members who deployed include 12 people from Connecticut, among them three full-time DEEP staff members. The remainder of the crew was composed of volunteers from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. A Connecticut crew member also supervised the administrative and financial responsibilities for the deployment.
Returning Montana CIFC Crew Members:
- Brody Danielson from Coventry, CT
- Tony Flamio from Blandford, MA
- Levi Franson from Lebanon, CT
- Stephen Gromala from Cheshire, CT (DEEP Agency: BCS - District Operations, West)
- Michael Kronick from Stratford, CT (DEEP Agency: BNR - Forestry, Forest Protection)
- Lucio Laduca from Brewster, NY
- Nathan Leclair from Norwich, CT
- Gunnar Norback from Cheshire, CT (DEEP Agency: MMCA - Emergency Response & Spill Prevention, Emergency Response Unit)
- Alan Olenick from Lebanon, CT
- Andrezej Ramotowski from Enfield, CT
- Tristan Renshaw from Tolland, CT
- Chris Renshaw from Tolland, CT
- Brian Rossiter from Groton, MA
- Phillip Russell from West Warwick, RI
- Derek Wnuk from East Berlin, CT
- Robert Yost from Milford, CT
DEEP's Forestry Division, which oversees CIFC, diligently maintains a roster comprising agency staff members and private individuals, many of whom are closely affiliated with local fire departments. These dedicated individuals have undergone rigorous training and successfully completed an annual physical work capacity test and refresher training. CIFC's unwavering commitment to upholding these high standards exemplifies the professionalism and readiness of its team members.
“I’m so thankful for the dedication and sacrifice exemplified by the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew and their willingness to travel far from home to provide invaluable assistance to other states,” DEEP Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble said. “The skills and experience they gain through these trips ensures we have a well-trained and prepared fire crew, ready to respond to fires that may occur here in Connecticut.”
DEEP would like to give a special shout-out to Chris Renshaw, the Crew Boss for this deployment. Chris sacrificed a valuable training opportunity to step in to lead the already-assembled crew when the original crew boss became unavailable. Chris’ dedication and sacrifice exemplify what CIFC members are all about.
In addition to the Montana crew, DEEP also recognizes Farrah Scalora who was deployed to the Ridge Creek fire in Idaho during this time. Farrah, a DEEP Forest Protection Seasonal Resource Assistant, was working on her training task book to become a Compensation/Claims Unit Leader, which is responsible for the overall management and direction of all administrative matters pertaining to compensation-for-injury and claims-related activities associated with an incident. Farrah was busy handling several claims during her deployment, underscoring the fact that firefighting crews are operating under challenging and dangerous conditions on these deployments.
DEEP would also like to recognize Jill Scheibenpflug, another dedicated member of CIFC and a DEEP Staff member, who was also deployed during this time on the Bedrock fire just south of Vida, Oregon. Jill worked as radio operator on her deployment, responsible for receiving and transmitting radio and telephone messages between incident personnel; providing dispatch services at the incident; and documenting pertinent radio/phone traffic for the incident.
Earlier this season, CIFC team members extended their support internationally by assisting Canada in the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia. These deployments underscore CIFC's dedication to offering aid not only to local communities but also to neighboring regions and countries in their wildfire mitigation efforts.
DEEP applauds the unwavering dedication of CIFC's team members and their indispensable role within the framework of the U.S. Forest Service's reciprocal aid program. Their commitment to protecting communities and natural resources from wildfires epitomizes the spirit of collaboration and service that DEEP cherishes.
About Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew (CIFC)
The Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew (CIFC) is a dedicated team of firefighters committed to protecting our communities and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfires. With a strong emphasis on safety, training, and collaboration, CIFC responds to wildfires and other emergencies nationwide, making a difference one blaze at a time. CIFC operates under the coordination of DEEP's Forestry Division and actively participates in the reciprocal aid program operated by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110