Hartford County Hoseline

December 2005 Issue

Happy Holidays / Seasons Greetings

As the snowflakes have already begun to fall and the holiday season is almost upon us, the Hartford County Fire Emergency Plan Board of Directors, instuctors and clerks would like to take a moment out of this busy time of the year to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas (Buon Natale, Joyeaux Noel, Wesolych Swiat, Feliz Navidad), and a healthy and joyous Happy New Year.

News From Around Hartford County

Included in this month's Hoseline is the application for the Andrew J Flanagan Memorial Scholarship or you can log onto www.hcfep.org and obtain a printable copy by clicking on Print 2006 Application.

From The Desk of the Secretary: John Coelho

To all County Chiefs, Training Officers and House Captains, if there are any changes or info about your department that needs sharing, please let me know ASAP so that I can include it in the next print of the Hoseline. If there has been a Line of Duty Death a department member has answered his or hers last alarm, or is sick and in the hospital, please forward me their name. It is also important to note, that if there has been a Line of Duty Death or a member has answered their last alarm, that their name be forwarded to me ASAP so that we can make sure that they are not forgotten at the annual Hartford County Memorial Service which is held in October during National Fire Prevention Week. I can be reached by email at johnsechcfep@yahoo.com or fax me at 860 747-2137 or drop a line to PO Box 447, Plainville, CT 06062.

Our website at www.hcfep.org is always adding new information and by browsing around you can find interesting news and tidbits and other sites that might grab your curiosity.

New Chiefs and Officers in the County

Chief William Perkins - UCONN Health Center Fire Department

Santa and Tradition

This is a poem that I found last year on a fire link website and would like once again to share it with you.

It was Christmas Eve and Nothing was going right at the North Pole. Mrs Claus had even burned the cookies. The elves were complaining about not getting padi for the overtime they had earned while making the toys. The reindeer had been drinking all afternoon and were quite drunk. To make matters worse they had taken the sleigh out for a spin earlier in the day and crashed it into a tree. Santa was furious, I can't believe it! I've got to deliver millions of presents all over the world in just a few hours-all my reindeer are drunk, the elves are on strike and I don't have Christmas Tree! I've sent that stupid Little Angel out HOURS ago to find a tree and he isn't even back yet! What am I going to do? Just then the Little Angel opened the front door and stepped in from the snowy night, dragging a Christmas Tree. He says, Yo fat man! Where do you want me to stick the tree this year?
And thus the tradition of angels atop the Christmas Tree came to pass....

Recap of 2005 Happenings!!!!!

Going over all my notes and emails from January 2005 until now, I am amazed at all the events, benefits, parades and Memorial Services that were held this past year in Hartford County. I wish I could recap all events, but that would definitely take pages to do, so I chose just to list a few:

Congratulations are in order to everyone from the Hartford County alone there were six winners who were recipients of the Andy Flanagan Memorial Scholarship.
Hartford County Fire Emergency Plan Annual Dinner Meeting was held on June 22nd at the Farmington Club with a huge turnout of members.
HCFEP 55th Annual Memorial Service that was held on October 2nd and hosted by the Plainville Fire Department, was a huge success because of your support.
The CT State Fallen Firefighters Memorial was held on October 16th at the CT Fire Academy.
How can we forget the HCFEP Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Meeting on November 16th, hosted by the Avon Fire Department Company One. Not to overlook the fact that Harvey and his crew did an outstanding job in preparing all the delicious food that was served. I'm sure that no one went home hungry that night. I know I didn't. Thanks to all.

Events Still Happening in 2005

December 10, 2005	Windsor Fire Department Torchlight Parade
December 11, 2005	Portland Fire Department Torchlight Parade
December 17, 2004	South District-Middletown, Departments from South District, Westfield, Portland, Cromwell and serveral others participate in this event and go to several homes of needy families in each town, starting in South District and ending in Portland.

Planned Meetings

January 18, 2006

Burlington Volunteer Fire Department
719 George Washingon Turnpike
Burlington, CT

Other Events

January 15, 2006

Andrew J. Flanagan Memorial Fund Association Scholarship Fund Deadline.

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