Category Archives: BHC News

Beacon Hose Announces Passing of 48-Year Member Arthur Norton

Beacon Hose is saddened to announce the passing of 48-year member and past officer Arthur Norton, who died Wednesday after a long illness.

Artie joined Beacon Hose in February 1974 and was a fixture here for decades and served in many different roles over that time: firefighter, truck replacement committee member, mechanic, fire police lieutenant, jokester, and friend. He remained dedicated to our department into his later years, when he would often spend his afternoons with his fellow old-timers sharing stories with the younger generation.

Artie was also a great family man, which extended to us at Beacon Hose. His wife, Janet, became one of the first female members of Beacon Hose as a longtime EMT, and his granddaughter, Kirsten, was a social member for years.

Continue reading Beacon Hose Announces Passing of 48-Year Member Arthur Norton

BHC SummerPalooza and Parade Set for June 25; $10,000 Raffle Returns

Update: Thanks for your support!

We’ve enjoyed successful Octoberfest food and beer festivals, but this year, we’re moving it to a summer kickoff with our annual firemen’s parade!

This new Beacon Hose event brings together some of the state’s best food trucks with a selection of domestic and craft alcoholic beverages, family-friendly games and activities, music, and our annual firemen’s parade, which is a 60-year tradition that typically accompanies our carnival (which is October 14-16 this year … more info to come).

There is no admission fee or tickets required for the public. The event opens at 4 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m.

Continue reading BHC SummerPalooza and Parade Set for June 25; $10,000 Raffle Returns

Beacon Hose Reports Record 2021 Call Volume

2021 was the busiest year in the history of Beacon Hose. We responded to 1,099 emergency calls, including 240 fire calls and 859 EMS calls. The volume of EMS calls shattered our previous record (766 in 2020).

Our fire responses included:

🚨 88 calls involving EMS (mostly motor vehicle accidents)
🚨 46 calls for service
🚨 43 false alarms
🚨 30 miscellaneous calls
🚨 18 fires
🚨 15 incidents involving hazardous materials

Thanks to all of our members for their continued dedication to Beacon Falls. Stay safe!

Beacon Hose’s Top 25 Photos of 2021

It’s finally time to put 2021 in the books, and as we do every year, we close out the year with a look back at the photos that defined Beacon Hose over the past year.

We responded to emergencies of all kinds, including major fires and serious car accidents. We enjoyed new training opportunities and celebrated plenty of achievements. We also bid farewell to some of the most impactful members in the history our department.

Take a moment to scroll through the 25 photos that told the story of 2021 at Beacon Hose — captions are with each image. Thank you to all of our members for their continued dedication to the safety and service of this terrific town we call Beacon Falls, and thanks to all of our neighbors and friends who continue to support us in every day.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!

Continue reading Beacon Hose’s Top 25 Photos of 2021

‘One Percent’ — Beacon Hose, Waterbury Hospital Miraculously Save Crash Victim

Jailisa Reyes suffered injuries in a head-on crash Aug. 29 on Route 8 South in Beacon Falls that would have killed almost everybody in her place — but Reyes was that “one percent,” as doctors would tell her, of people who miraculously could survive such an incident.

Reyes is alive today thanks to an incredibly fast and skillful response by Beacon Hose firefighters and EMTs, who extricated and rapidly transported Reyes from her smashed vehicle, and the heroic efforts of the trauma team at Waterbury Hospital, whose lifesaving interventions included 90 minutes of manual cardiac massage to keep her alive.

This first-ever Beacon Hose documentary shares the unbelievable story of how it all happened and the emotions of meeting each other again.

Continue reading ‘One Percent’ — Beacon Hose, Waterbury Hospital Miraculously Save Crash Victim