Torrington Fire Department honors firefighters with life‑saving and meritorious awards

Torrington — The Torrington Fire Department onstage recognized firefighters for several life‑saving responses and steady service during a public awards ceremony.

Battalion Chief David Casper recounted three 2020 incidents that prompted life‑saving awards. About the June 29, 2020 structure fire at 88 Burden Street, Casper said crews from Engine 4, Truck 1 and Engine 2 “acted swiftly and decisively,” locating an unresponsive woman on the first floor and a second victim on the second floor. Casper said LifeStar could not fly because of weather and that Torrington personnel accompanied Emergency Medical Services by ground to Waterbury Hospital while continuing life‑saving measures. Life‑saving awards from that incident were presented to Lieutenant Dixon (first name not specified in the transcript) and Lieutenant Menard.

Casper described a Feb. 23, 2020 ice‑rescue at Burpont State Park where four people were in danger — two submerged and two stranded on thin ice. Firefighters donned ice‑rescue suits and used rope systems; two members entered the water and tended to victims for more than 45 minutes until all were brought safely to shore. Casper presented lifesaving awards to firefighters recorded in the transcript as Bridal Ball and David Munson.

A third incident recognized took place April 29, 2020, when Engine 2 arrived at a reported cardiac arrest before Trinity EMS. Casper said firefighters initiated CPR, applied an automated external defibrillator and deployed a Lucas mechanical CPR device; after two shocks and continuous compressions the patient regained a pulse and was stabilized for transport. Casper presented awards to Lieutenant Jeremy Menard, firefighter James Newkirk and firefighter Jordan Terrell.

In addition to the lifesaving citations, the ceremony included a meritorious service award for Lieutenant Edward DeLisle for sustained dedication and for managing the department’s equipment inventories and maintenance, including SCBA, personal protective equipment, ladders and thermal imagers. The presenter praised DeLisle’s long service and technical leadership, noting unit citations and family ties to the department.

The ceremony featured an official oath for newly promoted or pinned firefighters, remarks thanking families, the color guard, bagpiper Ken Storrs and photographer Sanya Zinke, and recognition of city officials including Mayor Alex Spino. A prayer closed the formal program, after which attendees were invited to a post‑ceremony gathering at Vera Roma’s restaurant; the transcript records inconsistent street‑name spellings for the address.

“Through their exceptional bravery, professionalism and teamwork, members of group 2 demonstrated outstanding dedication to the preservation of life and property,” Battalion Chief David Casper said while presenting the awards.

The awards recognize individual actions and the department emphasized that its responses reflect coordinated team efforts. The ceremony did not record any formal votes or policy actions; it focused on recognition of specific responses and ongoing departmental service.