What? Our annual Toy Drive and Popcorn Ball Toss is set to be hosted Saturday, December 13th from 10AM to Noon. Our volunteers will be driving on pre determined routes throughout our district to collect new, unopened toys and toss out popcorn balls to anyone standing out on their driveways, lawns, closest intersections and parking lots. Don't leave after you see the first truck or drop off a toy though. Each route has a chance to see Santa Claus riding by on a fire truck too! Don't hesitate to ask Santa for a photo, our crews would love to stop for any and all photo opportunities. Where? Attached below are our 3 routes that we will be driving on this year. Each map can be read by starting at the green dot, and following the arrows along the colored route assigned to your neighborhood. Each route has been designed to take about 2 hours for our crews to complete. That being said, if you live near #1 on our chart, we will be there close to 10:00, and the #9 (or #11 for route 1) will be closer to 12:00. But if you're worried about missing us, just listen for the sirens! All crews will be using our lights, sirens and horns to announce our arrival to each street and neighborhood. Do you live out of district or not near one of our routes? Stop by one of the 3 "photo op" locations, marked on the maps, to donate toys and take photos with Santa and crew. Donation Information Last year we were able to fill up 2 full truck beds of toys to bring to Trumbull Social Services. This year, lets try to get even more! Each route will have multiple designated vehicles to collect unopened toys and if you are able, we kindly ask you make a donation. However, please do not feel that you need to make a donation. If you are not able, you are still more than welcome to come out, catch a popcorn ball, see Santa and spread the holiday cheer! Don't have time to catch us while we are out on the road? Stop by Nichols Station 1 at 100 Shelton Rd any time on Saturday the 13th to drop off any donations. Happy Holidays We cannot wait to see everyone on Saturday morning to help spread holiday cheer and collect toys for those families that may not be as fortunate this year. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us on our "Contact Us" page or on our social medias. Our media team typically responds within 24 hours. Happy Holidays, from the Nichols Fire Department!

While January is a slower month for the Nichols Fire Department in terms of events and community outreach, we stayed busy with winter weather, emergency calls, and starting the year off right within the Department. Emergency Responses In total, we had 46 calls. The most frequent was fire alarms with 21 calls, and the second most frequent was motor vehicle accidents at 8. Some notable calls included a 16'x8' framed canopy stuck on power lines on January 3 and a commercial appliance fire on January 31. On the morning of January 3, the Nichols Fire Department was dispatched to a commercial property to investigate a possible hazardous condition involving power lines. When Nichols Car 1, Chief Mumbach, arrived on scene, he found a 16'x8' metal-framed canopy on the power lines. Engine 301 and Squad 309 responded as well and determined that the chain link fence was also energized due to being in contact with the canopy on the wires. The Nichols Fire Department secured the area and waited for United Illuminating to resolve the issue. There were no immediate risks found to any people or surrounding properties. At the end of the month, the Nichols Fire Department, along with assistance from Trumbull Center and Long Hill Fire Departments, was dispatched for a report of a fire in a commercial laundry machine. Once on scene, the Nichols Fire Department found a large commercial linen dryer with moderate smoke coming from the center. It was determined that dryer lint that was under the dryer had somehow caught fire. Employees of the facility had used extinguishers to keep the fire in check until we arrived. The incident was investigated by the Trumbull Fire Marshals Office with management of the building regarding this incident. Winter Weather In preparation for the snow that occurred on January 19 into January 20, members of the Nichols Fire Department arranged to stay overnight at Station 1 to be prepared for any calls that came in. Thankfully, only one call came in for the Nichols district, but there were several emergency calls throughout the town of Trumbull. However, the members of the Nichols Fire Department were able to spend the time training on responding while dealing with inclement weather, including driving apparatus in snowy conditions. Behind the Scenes In addition to responding to emergency calls and winter weather, the members of the Nichols Fire Department were hard at work behind the scenes to set up for a great year. During the January monthly meeting, the members got their committee assignments to begin planning the various events and community outreach that will happen during the year. Make sure to keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for more information about all the events. There was also a blog post written by Chief Jason Mumbach, a letter to Nichols about his thoughts on community and service. You can read it here . In addition to Chief Mumbach's post, Past Captain Billy O'Keefe III wrote a fantastic overview of what training goes in to being a volunteer firefighter. Stay tuned for more posts from him about the training program. If you want to be involved with the Nichols Fire Department, learn more about volunteering and the application process here.

When most people see firefighters, it’s when we’re on a call for service. You see us geared up, grabbing tools, and diving head-first into the task at hand—whether it’s battling a fire, conducting a rescue, or mitigating a hazardous situation. To the public, it may seem like just another day in the life of a firefighter, but what you don’t see is the countless hours of training that go into making those responses seamless and effective. At the Nichols Fire Department, we dedicate significant time to honing our skills and preparing for the unexpected. Just like athletes or debate teams who rely on practice to perform their best, we also spend hours each week training to ensure we’re always ready. Every Thursday night, we dedicate around two hours to training on a specific topic. As the colder months set in, we shift part of our focus indoors to classroom-based sessions. For example, we might review hazardous materials scenarios, like a spill at a gas station or an unknown chemical leak at a grocery store. In these sessions, we familiarize ourselves with potential hazards, study the tools and resources available, and develop plans of action to address these incidents effectively. These sessions are crucial to give us the knowledge needed to back up our practical skills.  But our training isn’t just confined to the classroom. We’re extremely blessed with a state-of-the-art training facility right here in Nichols. Here, you will find us practicing essential skills: gearing up, donning (putting on) air packs, pulling hose lines off the truck, advancing those lines to a simulated fire scene, and refining our approach to fire suppression. On another night, you could catch us setting up our ladder truck, practicing roof ventilation techniques, or even simulating rescues. You might even see us cutting up some scrap cars in the back parking lot, enhancing our skills and techniques for vehicle extrication.  We’re very thankful that we are able to have the resources to bring in outside instructors who teach us new skills and techniques. These experts provide valuable insights that enhance our training and keep us up to date with the latest developments in the fire service. With this we can access specialized equipment, such as a fire simulation trailer , which mimics real fire conditions in a controlled environment. This hands-on experience allows our team to practice navigating extreme heat, smoke, and fire behaviors in a safe setting, preparing us for real-life scenarios. Sometimes, members of the community donate soon to be demolished buildings that allow us to practice our skills in actual structures. These opportunities don't come often, but we always take full advantage of practice our skills to our full ability. For our newer members, training begins with an even deeper dive. They enroll in a 240-hour Firefighter 1 course, which combines classroom instruction and hands-on training. This foundational program provides them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve in the fire service, ensuring that every member of our team is prepared for the challenges ahead. So, when you see us on a call, know that what you’re witnessing is just the tip of the iceberg. The time we invest in training allows us to respond confidently and keep our community safe. If you’re curious about what goes on behind the scenes, we’d love to show you. Join us for a drill on any Thursday night at 7:00 PM at Station 1. It’s a great way to see firsthand the dedication, teamwork, and preparation that go into every call we answer. If you’re interested in volunteering to learn the skills that go into serving the community, please apply here  or contact us  to learn more.

Earlier this week, I attended the wake of Joseph Tomas, father of our Deputy Chief Rob Tomas. As I watched those coming to pay their respects to the family of this Navy Veteran and listened to the readings, I was left with one thought. Service.   The word “service,”  according to Merriam Webster , goes back to the 1500s—“Middle English service, servise  ‘state of serving or being at someone's command, position in a household, duty which a tenant is owed to a lord, assistance, form followed in Christian worship, provision of food at a table…’" You will often hear us use the term “fire service” to refer to firefighting. Post 9/11,  it became common for the general public to use the phrase “Thank you for your service” when they encountered members of the military as well as firefighters, law enforcement and EMS.     Personally, I am in awe of our veterans and active duty military personnel. I am thankful to live in a free country and know that some gave all and never came home protecting those freedoms. To Mr. Tomas, I say thank you. To our Dan Brennan who this month completed basic training at Paris Island, I say “Semper Fi” and wish him well as he continues on to basic riflemen then to Aircraft Fire Rescue Training. To the nurses that cared for Mr. Tomas, I was truly impressed by you coming to his wake and giving comfort to his family. What a gift to humanity to have caring individuals like nurses to comfort us during our recovery and then during our transition from this earthly existence.    I have lived in Nichols for 22 years and am happy that my wife and I raised our two children here—both were very active in youth sports. To those of you that took time to serve as a coach, team mom, parent volunteer, etc…Thank you. That time was well spent and helped shape my children and countless others. To those that volunteer at your church as  greeter or Sunday school teacher, thank you. That is a service to our community. To our local elected officials that volunteer their time on committees and commissions, I thank you as well. While I may not always agree with all of your decisions and would always like lower taxes, I do recognize the hours away from home for meetings and events, and think you do have our best interest at heart. We have several members of the fire department that work for Trumbull DOT, State DOT as well as other town DOTs. As we enter winter, I am thankful for the service you provide clearing the streets and salting them—especially since I have two teen drivers now.  I am most appreciative of the leaf pick up each year, however, I don’t like the years my quadrant of town is first. Let's start in the north part of town and save Nichols to the end.    I often hear people lament the state of the world and wondering what they can do to change things. Simple: serve and be of service.  Not everyone is called to serve in the military or go into burning buildings. It takes a special person to want to get into law enforcement or become a nurse. Think local. There are plenty of ways to be of service to your neighbors in Nichols. Find something of interest and share your time. You will get far more out of what you put into it.  I have been in the fire service for 35 years now. I am honored to be the Chief of the Nichols Fire Department as of this past November. I had no idea when I was 18 and first joined the Wilton Fire Department that it would end up pointing me to the insurance industry where I have worked for 28 years. I have had the great fortune of training and interacting with dozens of Trumbull’s finest young men and women who have gone on to careers in the fire service, police, EMS, military, nursing, college and the trades. The fire house is a great apprenticeship to adulthood. At its heart, we teach them how to help serve their fellow man. We are at our best when we are of service to each other. As Alexa pointed out in her blog post earlier this month on New Year’s Resolutions,  giving back to the community is a common resolution people have. While I’d love for everyone to come join the Nichols Fire Department, I know it's not for everyone. But as I pointed out there are so many ways for you to impact your fellow residents here in Nichols. Do your part and find some way to make Nichols stay special. If the fire service is calling you or if you have a young person you want to send our way, go to https://www.nicholsfire.com/volunteer  to learn more or simply stop by the back of Station 1 on a Saturday morning  for a cup of coffee.

Are you already struggling with your New Years’ Resolution? Are you already losing the motivation that you had a week ago? Don’t worry, the Nichols Fire Department has a solution. Become a volunteer firefighter.  According to an article from Ohio State University , only 9% of people who make resolutions actually stick with them for the entire year. In addition, 23% of people quit them by the end of the first week and 43% quit by the end of the month. Don’t be like them.  In all seriousness, becoming a volunteer firefighter is a great way to make sure you stick with your resolutions for at least the year, and probably longer. Whether it’s getting in shape, giving back to the community, learning a new skill, or finding a new community, the Nichols Fire Department has ways to encourage commitment to all of them. The most obvious way is just by having a group of people to stay accountable to.  The Nichols Fire Department welcomes everyone from any background to join the department. There are a million reasons to join, but right now you’re probably struggling with sticking to your resolution, so here’s how joining our department will encourage you to stick with your resolutions.  New Year's Resolution: Get in Shape If your New Year’s Resolution was to get in shape or to exercise more, then joining the Nichols Fire Department can help you stick to that goal. Once a week, the members of the department get together to train on different skills. By having a group of people who are there to keep you on track and supported, you are more likely to stick with your resolutions and to accomplish your goals of staying in shape.  One of the biggest obstacles that people face when having the goal of getting in shape is that they don’t set realistic goals. By joining the fire department, you can let go of unrealistic goals and start with smaller, more manageable goals, like joining us once a week at our weekly drills. The department also pays for a gym membership for all active members who are in good standing with the department.   New Year's Resolution: Give Back to the Community Another common resolution is that people want to volunteer more to give back to their community. Obviously, joining a volunteer fire department will help you give back to your community. Whether it’s through community events such as Neighbors’ Night or our Popcorn Ball Toss or by responding to emergency calls, the Nichols Fire Department was created to protect and give back to the community that supports it.  There are so many ways to give back to your community, but most people don’t think about joining the fire department. The Nichols Fire Department is 100% volunteer which is why it is so important for people who have an interest to take the jump and apply. We don’t just give back to the broader community either. When something happens to one of our members, we will be the first ones to offer a hand of support, no matter what is needed.  New Year's Resolution: Learn New Skills Becoming a firefighter also comes with learning so many new skills. By joining the Nichols Fire Department, you will be able to take a variety of classes and certifications that will help you achieve this resolution. After your initial probationary class, the department will send you through a Fire I class. After this, you will be able to look at other classes that interest you. In addition to formal classes, the department has weekly drill nights that allow you to learn and practice other skills and to work with a variety of equipment.  Another benefit to being a part of a volunteer department is that all other members come from different careers and backgrounds, you’re able to learn so much just from forming relationships with the others. Sitting down and having one conversation with another member will probably teach you something you’ve never even thought about.  New Year's Resolution: Join a New Community If your New Year’s Resolution was to find a new community or to make new friends, the perfect way to do that is to join the fire service. Joining the Nichols Fire Department comes with an instant community of people who look out for each other and want the best for all members. Our members come from a variety of backgrounds which means that no matter what your other goals are, someone within the department will probably know something that will help you.  Joining this community will allow you to meet so many people in other similar communities. Through our mutual aid with other departments in Trumbull and in other places in Connecticut, the opportunities to meet people are endless.  Key Takeaway: Join the Nichols Fire Department Overall, joining the fire department is something that can be beneficial for your mind, body, and soul. The set schedule of weekly training will get you into a routine that will make it easier to stick with your ambition of getting in shape. If you want to learn more than the fire department is one of the most encouraging places for people who show interest and want to learn, whether it’s through classes or the weekly drills. If you want to give back to your community, then there is no better place to start than by joining an organization dedicated to protecting the community. Plus, being a firefighter just sounds cool.  To join the Nichols Fire Department or to learn more about it, please go to www.nicholsfire.com/volunteer  to see the process.

With the holidays, December is a busy time for anyone, but the Nichols Fire Department was particularly busy this year with events happening almost every weekend. In addition to the community events listed below, the department responded to 30 emergency calls! Below is a review of our December at the department with recaps of all of our events. If you’re interested in becoming involved with any of these events, join the Nichols Fire Department here.  Photo Courtesy of Laurie Morano Trumbull’s Three Department Christmas Party Every year, the three fire departments of Trumbull—Long Hill Fire Department, Trumbull Center Fire Department, and Nichols Fire Department— get together for a holiday party. This is a time for the members of all the departments to socialize with each other and to strengthen the bonds between departments. Family members are also encouraged to join the party and to get to know everyone within Trumbull’s fire departments.  This year the party was held at the Pinewood Lake Clubhouse and food and drinks were provided by the departments. The party is 100% planned by the members to ensure that it is something that the members will enjoy.  Jingle Bell Run Another annual tradition in Nichols is the Jingle Bell Run  hosted by the Nichols Improvement Association. The Nichols Fire Department boosts morale by stretching an American flag over the participants and promotes safety by helping to control traffic by closing intersections and blocking traffic. This is something that connects the department to the community and boosts community involvement.   Popcorn Ball Toss The Nichols Fire Department Popcorn Ball Toss is one of the major yearly events that the department holds. This year, it was held on December 14th and followed the three routes throughout the Nichols district. Members collected toys to be donated to Trumbull Social Services while delivering popcorn balls to the community. Santa was also on the fire trucks and was able to visit the children!  This is an event that members and the community look forward to every year. Family members get involved to assist in toy collection. The popcorn ball toss is proof of the department’s commitment to the community.  Members’ Christmas Party  Every year, members of the Nichols Fire Department get together on the last drill night before Christmas and have a Christmas party. The volunteers are able to get together to discuss the year and what they want in the next year and can join in on a white elephant gift exchange.  Boot Drive On December 21st, the members of the Nichols Fire Department held a boot drive for Captain Jason DeManche. Captain DeManche is searching for a living kidney donor to complete a kidney transplant due to his kidney disease. The members of the department have come together in a remarkable way to help raise money and awareness for Captain DeManche. The boot drive raised over $9,500 for Captain DeManche and his family. If you are interested in learning more about organ donation or wish to donate money, please click this link to learn more on our website.  You can also use the QR code/username below to donate directly via Venmo. Be sure to mention that it’s for Captain DeManche in the description of the donation.  December in Review Overall, the Nichols Fire Department has been very busy within the Nichols community and within its membership. If you’re interested in getting involved in the fire department, but aren’t sure where to start, our website is a great first step . You can fill out an application here . Joining the Nichols Fire Department is a great and fulfilling way to serve and protect your community.

Members of the Nichols Fire Department Parade Committee have been hard at work cleaning, polishing and detailing Squad 309 that lives at Nichols Fire Department Station #2. Due to this dedication and hard work, Nichols has won 3 "Best Appearing Apparatus" trophies at parades in Thomaston, Bridgewater and Beacon Hose. The plan is to attend 1 more parade and win the State Championship Award for the 2024 Parade Season.

On August 16, 2024, the Nichols Fire Department attended the Bridgewater Fire Department Fair and Parade. Squad 309 came home with its third "Best Appearing Apparatus" trophy this season! Thank you to the Bridgewater Fire Department for hosting another great night. Congratulations to the other in-town departments, Trumbull Center and Long Hill for each taking home trophies for the apparatus they brought! Images & Copy Courtesy of S. Detuzzi