One of Local 1426's own has become one of America's Most Wanted. This is not a place where most people would like to end up but in this case it's quite an honor. Lt. Brad Sherman has qualified as one one of 8 national finalists in this year's America's Most Wanted All-Star Contest. The annual contest honors the accomplishments of the nation's First Responders who go above and beyond the call of duty.  Film crew's were on hand at Fairfield Fire Headquarter's last week to interview Brad and see all of Fairfield's Bravest in action. Brad's bio from the contest is contained below.

Brad Sherman Lieutenant Fairfield Fire Department Fairfield, CT In December 2007 Lieutenant Brad Sherman, of the Fairfield Fire Department, celebrated 30 years of public service. As a firefighter Lieutenant Sherman has dedicated his life to three main goals: saving lives, saving property and protecting the environment. The increasing complexity of modern industrialized life and dependency on synthetic materials has stimulated both advances in firefighting technology and a broadening of the firefighter's job description. Over the years Lt. Sherman has become a certified HAZMAT Technician, Confined Space Rescuer, Certified Diver and an Emergency Medical Technician. In April of 2000 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. On September 11, 2001 he put his promotion to use by helping to organize a task force to make the 60-mile trip to the World Trade Center. He continued to make the hour-and-a-half train ride to aid in the rescue, recovery, and cleanup of ground zero. In September of 2005 Lt. Sherman was selected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Much of his hard work and dedication was recognized in 2006, when he received the Life Saving Commendation from the Red Cross for pulling an elderly lady out of a smoke-engulfed building with the aid of a thermal imaging device. Lt. Sherman even had the opportunity to become Principal for a day at the School of the Performing Arts in Brooklyn, New York where he and a few of his fellow firemen discussed fire safety as well as the nature of firefighting.

To cast your vote for Brad log onto the America's Most wanted Site www.AMW.com and go to the All-Star link. You can vote once a day until May 6th 2008.

VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN!!!

The officers and members of the Fairfield Fire Fighters Association would like to salute the following members of our organization for being honored at the 2008 Red Cross Heros Breakfast as the Emergency Services Life Saving Heros.

FF Joe Galla, FF Scott Trembley, FF Brian McHugh, FF Ron Petersen, FF Bob Dominguez, FF Bill Tuttle, FF Ed Riggs, FF Jack Barrett, Lt. Pat Barry, and A/C George Gomola.

Job Well Done.....We Are Proud of You all

Local 1426’s Secretary Bob Smith and Treasurer Phil Higgins recently participated in the International Association of Fire Fighters 27^th annual Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. This annual event brings together Fire Fighters from all over the United States and allows them to bring important health and safety issues that confront Fire Fighters to the floors of the U.S. Capital and the members of Congress. The 2008 Legislative conference was attended by close to 1000 Fire Union leaders.

Speakers at this year’s event were Representative Pete Stark from California, Senator Jim Webb from Virginia, Governor Brian Scweitzer  from Montana, Former Representative Jim Shannon from Massachusetts, MSNBC’s Hardball Anchor Chris Mathews, FEMA Director Dave Paulison, Representative Jim Shimkus from Illinois, Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois, Representative Thad McCotter from Michigan, and Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut.

“We try to attend this conference with some of our members every year.” said Treasurer Phil Higgins “It is important for us to let the Congress know that the decisions they make her in Washington doing their job affect Fire Fighters all over the country and how we and do our jobs.”

After Senator Chris Dodd’s speech to the members of the IAFF both Smith and Higgins made a special presentation to him in front of the Connecticut delegation. A framed letter written by Dodd’s father, Senator Thomas J. Dodd, to Local 1426’s first Secretary Bill Schumann from 1964, pledging his support to Fairfield’s Bravest placed side by side with a letter from the current Local 1426 Principal officers pledging the fire fighters support to Dodd.

“Senator Dodd supports Fire Fighters and our issues. From his first vote in Congress in the early 70’s up to and including today.” Stated Smith “In today’s political arena it has become common for Politicians to want their picture taken with fire fighters to give the impression they support us. We wanted the Senator to know that Local 1426 knows the name Dodd has ALWAYS supported Fire Fighters.”

For Complete coverage of the 2008 Whitehead Legislative Conference log onto www.iaff.org

March 15^th 2008 – A Trefoil Court garage was destroyed by fire here Saturday. Fire fighters arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke and fire showing. The homeowner stated he was working in the garage with a plumber’s torch and caught some material in the garage on fire. He tried to extinguish the fire himself but the thick black smoke hampered his efforts. He attempted to remove the acetylene torch and tank from the garage but was unable to due to the smoke.  He was able to relay this information and the fact that there was live ammunition still in the garage to first arriving units.

Engine Company 2 used a 2-1/2” hose line to initiate an exterior attack on the structure. Shortly after the line was placed into operation a large fiery projectile shot out the side of the garage over the heads of Engine 2. Ammunition could be heard exploding inside the garage as additional crews arrived and went to work.

Fire Fighters quickly brought the fire under control and kept it from spreading to nearby homes. The Fire Marshal is still investigating the cause of the fire but it is believed at this time to be accidental.

Click on the photo gallery for more photos.

**Members - for more photos go to Local 1426 Photos in Member Resources