Occum Fire Department

08/27/2026

Between answering calls and serving our community, your Occum Volunteer Fire Department members continue putting in the time to train and sharpen the skills needed when the alarm sounds.

This past Tuesday, our members focused on ground ladder operations, reviewing the different types and functions of ladders, proper carrying and deployment techniques, safe placement, and their use during structure fire operations.

Ground ladders are one of the most fundamental tools on the fireground. Whether they’re being used for rescue, access, ventilation, or providing firefighters with a secondary means of escape, being able to deploy them quickly and correctly matters.

Training like this keeps the basics sharp and gives newer members the opportunity to learn alongside our experienced firefighters.

Our members are volunteers. They have families, careers, and responsibilities outside the firehouse—but they continue showing up, answering calls, and putting in the hours to be ready for the people we serve.

We’re still here. We’re still training. And when you need us, we’ll be there.

08/27/2026

We are excited to have one of own in this course to obtain their Firefighter 1!

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Chief Scott Eggert on earning his Fire Officer III Certification! 🚒🔥

This achievement reflects Chief Eggert’s continued commitment to leadership, professional development, and excellence in the fire service. His dedication strengthens not only the Occum Fire Department, but also our ability to proudly serve the residents of Norwich and work alongside our mutual aid partners throughout the surrounding communities.

We are proud to recognize this outstanding accomplishment and thank Chief Eggert for his continued leadership, commitment, and service.

Congratulations, Chief Eggert — well deserved! 👏🔥

08/07/2026

🚒🔥 CADET SPOTLIGHT — PEYTON IN ACTION! 🔥🚑

The Occum Fire Department is incredibly proud to recognize one of our own, Cadet Peyton Eggert, for the outstanding experience she has had this summer with the Electric Boat Fire Department through Electric Boat’s high school SHIP Internship Program!

Peyton is a student at Windham Technical High School and a proud Cadet with the Occum Fire Department. This summer, she has taken another exciting step in her journey in the fire and emergency medical services by gaining invaluable firsthand experience alongside the firefighters at General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Throughout this opportunity, Peyton has proudly represented Occum Fire, the Occum community, the City of Norwich, and Windham Tech — and we couldn’t be prouder to see one of our cadets putting her training, enthusiasm, and dedication into action.

And she certainly hasn’t been watching from the sidelines! 🚒

Throughout her internship, Peyton has experienced what the day-to-day responsibilities of the fire service truly look like. From equipment inspections and fire safety checks throughout the shipyard to working alongside EB firefighters during an emergency response, she has been given opportunities to learn by doing.

One of those experiences came during a response to an electrical issue on the 9th floor of Building 88. Working alongside Firefighter Thomas Gugliotti, Peyton helped set up and operate a hose line while the department supported the building’s sprinkler system using a fire engine and nearby hydrants.

🚑 But Peyton’s experience goes beyond the fire side of the job.

The time she is spending with the Electric Boat Fire Department is also invaluable to her development as an EMT. Having the opportunity to work alongside experienced fire and EMS professionals allows Peyton to focus on strengthening and perfecting her EMT skills, building confidence, and applying what she has learned in the classroom and during practical training.

All of that experience is helping prepare her for another important milestone — testing to become a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT).

There is no substitute for time spent practicing skills, asking questions, working through scenarios, and learning from experienced providers. Every patient assessment, every skill repetition, and every conversation with a mentor helps build the confidence and competence needed to become a strong EMS provider.

Just as important as these experiences are the firefighters and EMS professionals who take the time to teach.

We would especially like to recognize Michael Campi, who has served as a daily mentor to Peyton throughout her internship. Having someone willing to share their knowledge, answer questions, work through skills, provide guidance, and include a young person in the everyday workings of the fire and EMS service can have an impact that lasts throughout an entire career.

Michael, thank you for investing your time in one of our cadets and helping Peyton grow as both a future firefighter and EMT.

Mentorship remains one of the greatest traditions of our profession. The lessons passed from one generation to the next cannot all be learned from a textbook or classroom. They come from working alongside experienced people who are willing to teach — and from young people who are willing to listen, work hard, and learn.

That is also what our Occum Fire Department Cadet Program is all about: giving young people opportunities to learn, train, develop responsibility and teamwork, and begin understanding what it truly means to serve their community.

Seeing Peyton take what she has learned as an Occum Cadet, continue developing through Windham Tech, and now apply those lessons through her internship at Electric Boat is something our entire department and community can be proud of.

Peyton, all of us at Occum Fire are proud of you! 👏🚒🚑

Keep asking questions. Keep practicing those EMT skills. Keep training. Keep challenging yourself. Most importantly, never lose the enthusiasm and desire to help others that started you on this journey.

We extend our sincere thanks to Michael Campi, Firefighter Thomas Gugliotti, and the entire Electric Boat Fire Department for welcoming Peyton, sharing your knowledge and experience, and investing in the future of the fire and EMS service.

The future of our profession depends on experienced professionals willing to teach and young people willing to learn.

We’re proud to see one of our own cadets doing exactly that.

🔥🚑 Occum Fire Cadet. Windham Tech Student. SHIP Intern. Future EMT. Proudly representing Occum and Norwich. 🚑🔥

Great job, Peyton! Keep working toward that National Registry — and keep making Occum proud!

Intern Spotlight: Peyton in Action! 🚒🔥

We’re thrilled to showcase some exciting moments from this year’s high school SHIP internship program!
Meet Peyton, who spent the summer working hands‑on with the Electric Boat Fire Department. Peyton didn’t just observe—Peyton jumped right into the action, experiencing what a routine day in the fire service looks like. From equipment inspections to fire safety checks throughout the shipyard, Peyton took part in the real work that keeps operations running safely.

One of the highlights captured in these photos is an emergency response to an electrical issue on the 9th floor of Building 88. During situations like this, the fire department helps support the building’s sprinkler system using the fire engine and nearby hydrants. In the images, Peyton—working alongside mentor Firefighter Thomas Gugliotti—can be seen setting up and operating a hose line as part of this critical task.

We love seeing our interns step up, get involved, and experience meaningful moments like these. A huge thank you to Peyton for bringing enthusiasm, dedication, and curiosity to the team this summer. We’re proud of the impact our interns make and grateful for the energy they bring to each department!

07/09/2026

Starting on July 20, NPU will be conducting ‘smoke testing’ to identify potential weaknesses in our wastewater collection system (see diagram below).

This testing will take place over four weeks in the neighborhoods near West Thames Street / Thamesville, Dunham Street, and Elizabeth Street, as well as the area around St. Patrick’s Cathedral including Franklin Street, Boswell Avenue, and Warren Street.

Customers will receive additional information in the mail and at their homes before this work is conducted. We will also provide updates on our schedule and progress through the NPU social media channels.

06/15/2026

The double standard exhibited in recent The Day and Norwich Bulletin stories on tonight's City Council meeting in the quotes from The City of Norwich, CT City Manager Salomone and City Councilor DeLucia -- and previously from Local 892 leadership -- is blatant & appalling. The City Manager and City Council have operated without “Due Process” throughout this entire forced Executive Order.

They had meetings behind closed doors about the volunteers, made decisions without the volunteers' input, closed departments based on lies about performances without due process, and then got mad when we obtained legal counsel.

Moreover, a vote of no confidence in the City Manager, brought forth in this manner, is not a personal attack but rather an open public review of job performance by the taxpayers whom the City Manager ultimately works for, along with the Council.

BOTH factions have forgotten who they ultimately work for, which has led to reckless & emboldened behaviors. The results of their actions are costly (both seen & unseen) and NOT in the best interests of Norwich or its citizens.

Please come out to tonight's City of Norwich City Council meeting at 7 p.m. and make your voice heard!

06/11/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Norwich City Council to Hold Public Discussion and Hold Formal Vote of No Confidence in City Manager Salomone on Monday Night

The City has spent more than $400,000 in taxpayer funds to date staffing Yantic and paying for legal and PR fees, while its actions have fractured the relationship between the City and volunteer firefighters

NORWICH, Conn. (June 11, 2026) – The City of Norwich City Council has on its agenda for Monday night's meeting a resolution that the City Council, at the request of Alderman Peter Nystrom and Alderman William Nash, determine whether it has no confidence in City Manager John Salomone due to his handling of the dispute between the City and the Yantic, Taftville, Laurel Hill, and Occum volunteer fire departments.

The Chiefs of the four volunteer departments had the following to say about the upcoming City Council meeting on Monday, June 15:

"As we near four months since Yantic's unlawful closure and almost a week since Taftville's termination, the volunteer departments urge any and all concerned citizens to attend Monday night’s City Council meeting and make their voices heard.

The conduct of City Manager Salomone and Chief Wilson has been harmful to the City's volunteers and has disregarded the public's will, as they spread disinformation and work to force consolidation of fire services across Norwich.

They continue to misuse the term “Unified Command,” which any fire safety professional knows is already in place in Norwich and our neighboring communities, to push their agenda. What they are actually seeking is “Consolidated Command” to merge the independent volunteer fire departments with the City department and have Chief Wilson reign supreme.

A combination fire department under the command of Chief Wilson, for all purposes, means paid fire and emergency services when and wherever provided, and the corresponding need to pay the costs through new taxation and fees.

Their actions have already cost Norwich taxpayers more than $400,000 in staffing for Yantic, as well as legal and public relations fees. We also recently learned the City just expended funds to re-key the Taftville station to lock out the volunteers after the "eviction" was completed, even though the court order is temporary and scheduled for an evidentiary hearing.

The public needs to continue to recognize that the City’s efforts are thorough and long-term, despite attempts to spin a more positive and collaborative atmosphere for the City's residents.

The City Manager issued a statement to the press days before the Taftville court order stating that the intent was to place three firefighters in the Taftville station to work alongside the volunteers. On June 2, Chief Wilson provided an affidavit to the court that the City of Norwich had terminated Taftville and that they had failed to vacate the facility and return City-owned equipment. Then, Taftville volunteer members were removed by court order and told they cannot regain access without permission.

The City Manager, Chief Wilson, and City Council acted surprised when Taftville left the station and tried to spin it as an unwillingness to collaborate. It is either gross incompetence or deliberate manipulation by the City Manager, Chief Wilson, and City Council.

It is no surprise that Norwich Fire Fighters Local 892 and the UPFFA of CT are supporting the efforts of the City Manager and Chief Wilson, even though they originally did not want Chief Wilson in Norwich, as they stand to gain from taking over the volunteer operations.

As we have stated previously, the Norwich community has spoken loudly on the issue, as it did in 2023. But instead, these Norwich leaders are ignoring them and forcing even more qualified, experienced firefighters out of service at a massive cost to Norwich taxpayers. Additionally, their actions to date have not been honest or transparent.

We ask the question yet again: if the City of Norwich leaders pushing for Consolidated Command are so confident they have the public's best interests in mind, then why not put it to a vote and let the public decide?

Please attend the Monday, June 15 City Council meeting and make your voices heard.”

06/05/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2026

Statement from Taftville, Laurel Hill, Occum, and Yantic Volunteer Fire Department Chiefs on City of Norwich’s Closure of the Taftville Fire Company and New CAD Dispatch System Changes to Eliminate Volunteer Fire Service in the City

Today, the City of Norwich, led by City Manager John Salomone and Fire Chief Samuel Wilson, closed the doors of the Taftville Fire Company after it had served the community for more than 109 years, adding further unnecessary costs to Norwich taxpayers as they work to eliminate volunteers across the City for not agreeing to Consolidated Command.

At around 10 a.m. this morning, Taftville Chief Timothy Jencks was served with a court order by State Marshals to immediately vacate the premises, including all property not owned by the city. The order also said the Taftville Fire Company shall not enter or occupy the premises without written authorization from the City.

Earlier in the morning, before the order was served, City Manager Salomone called Chief Jencks and asked why he was vacating the station, to which Chief Jencks responded that the court had ordered them to vacate. Following another call from City Manager Salomone questioning him, Chief Jencks received a call from Fire Chief Wilson asking the same question: why was Taftville vacating the station?

Meanwhile, shortly after these conversations, the City’s attorney provided the volunteer department’s legal counsel with an agreement to sign—only after being asked about the conversations mentioned above—that would allow them to stay only if they signed. Like Yantic’s closure, the agreement was sent to the volunteers’ legal counsel with less than one hour for Taftville to review it with its members before they would be evicted.

Taftville believes Chief Wilson and the City committed fraud on the court when Chief Wilson swore to his lawful “termination” of Taftville in the City’s injunction filings when no such termination notice was ever given to Taftville prior to service of the City’s lawsuit alleging the same.

Additionally, yesterday, Laurel Hill was not dispatched to a call in their own district, even though it was the closest unit. Around 1:30 p.m., the Norwich Fire Dept was dispatched to 80 Crouch Ave. for a fire alarm. 80 Crouch Ave. is in the Laurel Hill district, and no tones ever went off for Laurel Hill.

When Norwich dispatch was called to inquire why Laurel Hill wasn’t dispatched, Laurel Hill Chief Aaron Westervelt was told that the CAD computer dispatch system had been down for over 30 minutes.

What was unknown at the time was that Chief Wilson had already implemented another CAD system change in secret earlier that day, which now automatically sends the nearest paid unit to a call. He did not tell anyone about it. At 3:07 p.m., after the incident, he sent an email pointing out the change, which had never been discussed with any volunteer department.

Pursuant to yesterday’s latest unilateral “order” from Chief Wilson, only career fire apparatus will receive automatic dispatch instructions, leaving the volunteers out of the loop and ensuring a paid fire response regardless of location or scope of emergency, thereby doing away with the Town Consolidation Districts historically served by the volunteers under the City Charter.

Essentially, what the City is demanding of the volunteers—including as a condition for allowing Taftville to remain operational—is their agreement to the elimination of tax-free volunteer fire service in exchange for automatic paid fire service at all times.

As we have stated previously, the Norwich community has spoken loudly on the issue, but instead, these Norwich leaders are ignoring them and forcing even more qualified, experienced firefighters out of work at a massive cost to Norwich taxpayers. Additionally, their questionable actions to date have been far from honest and transparent.

We ask the question again: if the City of Norwich leaders pushing for Consolidated Command are so confident they have the public's best interests in mind, then why not put it to a vote and let the public decide?