Category Archives: BHC News

Beacon Hose Octoberfest on Oct. 5 to Benefit Valley Flood Relief Fund

Beacon Hose Octoberfest returns this fall, and we’re happy to announce that all of our department’s proceeds from the event will be donated to the WFSB/WPLR Community Rising Flood Relief Fund administered by TEAM, Inc., to benefit Valley residents and businesses affected by the Aug. 18 flash floods.

Join us at Beacon Hose on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. for our annual Octoberfest. Celebrate some of the year’s best weather with a day filled with good food, drinks, Fire Prevention Week activities, and family fun at our firehouse.

We’ll feature a bunch of the best food trucks in the state, and we’ll be announcing those vendors soon!

Besides all that delicious food, here’s what else is on tap:

  • A wide selection of adult beverages
  • Fire Prevention Week activities, including a touch-a-truck
  • Games for adults and children
  • Live music

We’re excited to continue our new fall tradition here at Beacon Hose! Admission is free, and all of our food truck and drink vendors kick back a portion of their sales to benefit the cause.

Continue reading Beacon Hose Octoberfest on Oct. 5 to Benefit Valley Flood Relief Fund

Media Coverage from Beacon Hose’s Flood Rescue at Brookside in Oxford

We want to thank the many media organizations — local, state, national, and even international — that have recognized our incredible and courageous firefighters and EMTs for their actions in Oxford on Sunday. There are too many videos, articles, podcasts, and interviews to mention individually here on social media, so we’ve linked many of them below.

“Firefighters rescued nearly 20 people from flooded restaurant in Oxford” by NBC Connecticut

“Beacon Hose Co. stages dramatic rescue of 19 people and 1 dog” by the Republican-American

“Beacon Falls firefighters saved 19 lives and a dog from restaurant during deadly flooding in Oxford” and “Two women dead after flood waters sweep them away in Oxford” by WFSB

“Firefighters rescued 19 people and dog in Oxford from rising floodwaters at Brookside Inn” by the Connecticut Post

“Beacon Falls firefighters rescue 19 people, dog from rising floodwaters in Oxford” by Yahoo News and WTNH

“Connecticut floods leave 2 dead and over 100 evacuated; state of emergency declared” by ABC News

“Floods from ‘training thunderstorms’ lead to dramatic rescues and 2 deaths in Connecticut” by the Associated Press

“Flash Flooding Strands People in Connecticut” by the New York Times

“Connecticut firefighters rescue 19 people, dog from swiftly rising floodwaters in Oxford” by FOX Weather

“Video From Oxford Flood Shows Heroism Of Valley Emergency Responders” by the Valley Independent Sentinel

WPLR’s Chaz and AJ also interviewed Beacon Hose’s Cal Brennan and Brookside’s Nicole Salva about the incident.

WICC’s Melissa in the Morning show interviewed Beacon Hose’s Jeremy Rodorigo about the incident.

Star 99.9 also interviewed Rodorigo about the incident.

Beacon Hose to Host Sundays-Only EMT Class Starting Sept. 22

Beacon Hose will host a Sundays-only EMT course that will be perfect for those with busy schedules during the week — and enrollment is open now!

The course will run from Sept. 22, 2024 to Feb. 16, 2025. Classes will be held at Beacon Hose’s Station 2 on Railroad Avenue on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The course fee is $975, which includes books (with online access), a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, CPR/AED certification, EVOC certification, and a uniform shirt.

This class is open to any Connecticut resident 16 and older, not just those from Beacon Falls. While membership at Beacon Hose is not required, the course could lead to an opportunity to join our department, too! Becoming an EMT not only gives you lifesaving skills to help others, but it can also lead to rewarding career opportunities. The deadline to register is Sept. 15.

If you’re interested in signing up or learning more about the course, send an email to Connor Banks at cbanks@beaconfallsct.org or click here for the application and we’ll get you started!

Continue reading Beacon Hose to Host Sundays-Only EMT Class Starting Sept. 22

Beacon Hose Rescues 19 People from Brookside Inn Restaurant and Apartment in Oxford

Beacon Hose rescued 19 people and a dog from flood waters at the Brookside Inn Restaurant in Oxford and a nearby residence on Aug. 18.

Beacon Hose ambulances were responding to calls in Seymour and Oxford at about 5 p.m. The crew in BH-8 could not reach a medical call at the Spirits of 67 package store and instead staged near Brookside. While staging, BH-8 reported that the flood water was rising and there were concerns that the restaurant’s structure could be compromised with 18 people inside. Fire crews from Oxford were extraordinarily busy with emergencies throughout town, so Beacon Hose requested permission from Oxford fire officials to stage a rescue operation.

Truck 6 and Rescue 4 responded with Beacon Hose’s special operations trailer. Firefighters Cal Brennan and Christian Hotchkiss first reached the residence as the stick on Truck 6, operated by engineer Paul Brennan, breached the front window of the residence 86 feet away from where the truck was staged. Brennan and Hotchkiss helped evacuate the resident and her dog.

Continue reading Beacon Hose Rescues 19 People from Brookside Inn Restaurant and Apartment in Oxford

Tickets on Sale for Beacon Hose 125th Anniversary Ball

Beacon Hose invites our neighbors from Beacon Falls, our friends from departments throughout the area, and the public to celebrate Beacon Hose’s 125th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the beautiful Waterview in Monroe.

Beacon Hose’s 125th Anniversary Ball will take place from 5-10 p.m. and includes dinner, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a cheese table, dessert, entertainment, a photo booth, a photographer, and more. Dinner choices include filet mignon, glazed salmon, chicken milanese, and a southwestern cauliflower steak.

Tickets are $150 each ($300 per couple) and are on sale now by clicking on this link. An additional service charge is applied to each online order with a credit card. If you would like to purchase tickets with cash or check (without the service charge), please click here to contact us or send an email to webmaster@beaconhose.com.

Continue reading Tickets on Sale for Beacon Hose 125th Anniversary Ball