Meet the authors of history of local firefighters at UConn Co-op this week

A photo about firefighting in Willimantic – Chief Cormier and John Griffin with young visitors. Courtesy photo.

You are invited to meet the authors of “Firefighting in Willimantic,” at 4 p.m. at the UConn Co-op this Tuesday (Oct. 23).

The Co-op is located at 2075 Hillside Road in the Storrs UConn Campus.

As Willimantic moved from a sleepy borough to a hub of busy mills, fire protection became a crucial concern. Beginning with volunteers in 1830, the city turned to professionals in 1917.

Concerned as much with fire safety and prevention as with putting out fires, the firefighters of Willimantic and their families also socialized and participated in community service activities together.

In “Firefighting in Willimantic,” Michael Tirone and Pete Zizka give us a richly illustrated history of these brave men and women.

Tirone, a firefighter from 1974 – 2010, served with the Electric Boat Fire Department, the US Naval Submarine Fire Department in Groton and the Norwich Fire Department.

Zizka is a past volunteer firefighter and avid researcher. Both men are natives of Willimantic.

The foreward was written by current Willimantic Fire Chief Marc A. Scrivener.

Questions? Call the UConn Co-op at 860-486-5027.

Related link: Willimantic Firefighting on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willimantic-Firefighting/176042315820754

Posted October 21, 2012

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