Bantam Fire Company

08/28/2026

Always a pleasure to train with local departments.

08/18/2026

Last night we conducted a water supply drill where we reviewed rural tactical and tanker operations. We flowed 800 gallons per minute for an hour.

BFC: U32, T33, E34, E35, E36, R38
LFD: E4, L1
ELFD: E24, E25

08/14/2026

A big thank you to the Bantam Fire Company Woman’s Auxiliary for their donation of $2000 to help purchase some equipment to support the Bantam Fire department members of the Region 5 dive team.

The equipment will be added to Bantam Marine 1 which is docked on Bantam lake and be used to assist in helping us pinpoint objects we locate on our sonar.

Dive team members Pete Bergamo and Bob Fischer worked together to purchase the equipment shown.

08/14/2026

Upcoming CME opportunity! Mark your calendars.

08/05/2026

Congratulations to the 2026-2027 Officers who were elected last night!

Chief (Car 1) - Ryan Litwin
Deputy Chief (Car 2) - Sam Wolff
Captain (Car 3) - John Cattey
Lieutenant (Car 4) - Mike Berry
Lieutenant (Car 5) - Joseph Joray
Lieutenant (Car 6) - Charles Baker

President - Dan McPhee
Treasurer - Suzanne Litwin
Secretary - Darren Lounsbury

Trustee - Jason Davenport
Trustee - Ken Matson
Trustee - Edward Brown

08/01/2026

JULY 2026 INCIDENT RESPONSES

FIRE: 34 (164 for 2026)
EMS: 41 (249 for 2026)

TOTAL: 75 (413 for 2026)

07/28/2026

The Bantam Fire Company is staffed 100% with volunteers currently. We are in need of new EMT’s and Firefighters! No experience needed.

When someone calls 911 for a heart attack, stroke, or serious crash, every minute matters.

But across Connecticut, ambulance services are struggling to recruit and retain the volunteers who have long been the backbone of emergency medical response.

By the numbers:

🔹 More than 70% of Connecticut municipalities rely on volunteer or combination EMS services for at least part of their emergency medical coverage. (Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services)

🔹 EMS agencies statewide report increasing vacancies for EMTs and paramedics, forcing many departments to rely on overtime, mutual aid, or paid staffing to maintain coverage. (Connecticut EMS Advisory Board)

🔹 Nationally, the demand for EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 6% through 2033, faster than the average occupation. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

🔹 EMS calls continue to increase as Connecticut’s population ages and demand for emergency medical care grows. (Connecticut OEMS)

⚠️ Risk factors contributing to the shortage:

• Burnout from long shifts and mandatory overtime.

• Lower pay compared with other healthcare professions.

• Difficulty recruiting younger volunteers.

• Rising training and certification requirements.

• An aging EMS workforce nearing retirement.

👀 Why We’re Watching

Most people assume an ambulance will always be available when they dial 911.

But staffing shortages can affect response times, increase costs for municipalities, and place additional pressure on the EMTs and paramedics who remain.

As Connecticut’s demand for emergency medical services continues to rise, communities are facing a difficult question:

Who will answer the next emergency if fewer people are willing or able to do the job?

Question: Should Connecticut invest more in paid EMS staffing, or should communities continue relying on volunteers where possible?


#911

07/14/2026

Members doing some drafting training on Bantam Lake last night.

07/10/2026

07/09/2026

Bantam Engine 36 stood by at Kent Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. this afternoon before being called to the scene for a trail rescue on the Appalachian Trail.

BFC has also had 3 other fire calls and 2 ambulance calls today.