Knee surgery resulting from an accident while in the line of duty forced Bill Richards to retire from the Milford Fire Department in 2003.

Manny Strumpf, Correspondent
October 29, 2007

The former fire inspector looks back on his long career, however, with pride. "I'm fortunate to have been part of a great brotherhood, a fraternity of dedicated people who rely on each other for support and are always available to reciprocate," he said.
"It's important to know that you always can count on the guy next to you. It's equally as important that he knows that he can rely on you. That's what firefighting is all about," Richards added.
Although he hasn't donned the fire gear, answered an alarm and sped to the scene of an emergency in four years, Richards remains dedicated to this city. He continues to use his skills, training and education to assist the fire department and other city agencies in developing and updating its emergency response plans. He was one of several local people, for example, who were recognized in September for preparing a multi-hazard mitigation plan required by the federal government. In acknowledging the successful project, the city was recognized for helping reduce future disaster losses. Milford has, as a result, become eligible for federal disaster management grants.
In addition to the federal report, Richards has been involved in other projects for the city. When the Board of Education required a program for crisis team training, for example, they called on him to handle it. "We worked for 18 months training school staff in how to deal with a crisis from intruders in buildings to school bus accidents to bomb scares. We worked under a federal Department of Education grant."
He also worked for Milford's Department of Health on an emergency preparedness code and initiative program so that in case of a pandemic everyone in town could be medicated within 48 hours. "I worked two days a week with the Health Department staff," he recalled.
His activities have extended beyond Milford as well. He was hired by the Council of Governments in North Haven to work on and develop an emergency preparedness plan for 30 communities extending from Milford to Meriden and from Old Saybrook west along the coast. "We worked with the federal Department of Homeland Security and with the state Department of Emergency Management on writing an emergency evacuation and sheltering plan for the 30 towns."
Richards said that while in high school he was ambivalent about a professional firefighting career despite the fact that his father and two brothers were volunteers at the former Walnut Beach Engine Co. 3 on Naugatuck Avenue. "I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life so I enlisted in the Air Force in 1965, immediately after graduating from Jonathan Law High School." He spent more than three years in Greenland. "I flew over the North Pole in helicopters but never encountered Santa Claus," he said with a smile.

Joined Fire Department

Shortly before his honorable discharge, his close friend notified him that he had joined the Milford Fire Department and encouraged Richards to do likewise. When he returned home, therefore, he took the entrance exam and placed first on the list, joining the department a few months later. "I still remained unsure of a fire career, so three years later, believe it or not, I took the police entry exam, came in second, and became a police officer. Within less than a year, however, he decided to return to firefighting. "I took the exam a second time, rejoined the fire department in 1973 and didn't leave until my retirement four years ago."
Several episodes remain imbedded in his mind as highlights of his career. Two fires in particular remain vivid. One was a multi-million dollar industrial blaze that completely destroyed the former Furniture Transport warehouse at New Haven Avenue and Old Gate Lane, which required fire departments from several neighboring towns to provide assistance. The other occurred at the former Sante's Manor restaurant in Devon. "We spent three days at each fire site," he said.
A third incident did not involve fire but Richards was actively involved, and emotionally drained nonetheless.
"I was working extra duty at the Connecticut Post Mall and heard on my radio about a propane tank explosion at a nearby Post Road restaurant. I raced over there, as did two other firefighters, and we found three children had suffered fatal injuries from the explosion. I carried an infant to my car and raced to Bridgeport Hospital but the infant had died. I wondered for quite some time what I would have done had that child been one of my own two boys."
Richards loved firefighting and continually sought opportunities to enhance his knowledge and professional career. Following intensive training at Yale-New Haven Hospital, therefore, he became an emergency medical technician in 1975. When then Fire Chief Bill Healey sought volunteers to undergo additional training to become paramedics, Richards again raised his hand. He was one of five firefighters chosen to participate in exhaustive training at Yale-New Haven. The one-year program was in addition to his full-time 42-hour shift at the fire station. "I worked evenings and weekends on the course after finishing my regular shift, but it was worth it." He then became part of the first group of local firefighters to add paramedic to his credentials.
While undergoing his specialized training, Richards also attended college and earned his degree while working as a firefighter. "I was the first member of my family to achieve that academic goal and I'm proud of it," he said.

More Training, Promotion

Richards decided to seek additional advancement opportunities and applied for the position of fire inspector. Following one year of additional training at the State Fire Marshal's Academy in Middletown, he was named one of two fire inspectors in 1990. During his training he learned skills in investigating fires, handling hazardous materials and other emergencies that the city's responders would be required to deal with or prevent.
"Everyone in the department is a firefighter first. We all carried our gear in our vehicles, and even though I was an inspector, I still was prepared to fight fires," Richards recalled. "When firefighters are not responding to calls they are constantly training, upgrading their skills and maintaining equipment."
Among his new responsibilities were inspecting all residential dwellings housing three or more families, and code compliance for every commercial structure. Not only did he and the other fire inspector have to approve plans but they had to make final inspections before occupancy permits were granted.
"Every truck delivering fuel to Milford also requires an inspection," he noted. Among Richards' assignments were approval of the last addition to Milford Hospital and a major expansion at the Westfield Mall.

United Way Volunteer

During his career Bill Richards said he came into contact with many highly dedicated people, both within and outside the fire department, including agencies that serve Milford residents in many capacities. When Gary Johnson, president of the United Way of Milford, asked him to run a campaign to raise funds within the fire department, therefore, Richards heartily agreed to do so and requested permission from the fire chief.
"I handled fire department campaigns for the United Way for two years and then was asked to serve on its board of directors," he said.
He served as chairman of the United Way board for two consecutive terms in 2000 and 2001.
"I liken United Way to the Fire Department since we both provide a variety of functions to benefit local residents. I have, over the years, been impressed by the professionalism and availability of staff and volunteers of the Milford Chapter of the Red Cross, a United Way partner, for example. I also was pleased that the United Way gave me a chance to serve my city as a volunteer."
He also is a member of Milford Kiwanis and the Elks Club in addition to still serving on the United Way's board of directors.
For Richards, despite his hectic professional pace, it's not all work and no play, however. Since his retirement, he and his wife, Robin, purchased a boat that they enjoy sailing whenever they can during the summer.
"It's a good outlet for Robin, who is an intensive care nurse at Milford Hospital and who teaches the graduate nursing program at Yale-New Haven Hospital," he said.
He also sneaks in a round of golf whenever he can.
And, of course, they try to see the grandchildren. Richards' son Todd has been a member of the Milford Police Department for 14 years. The retired firefighter and his wife try to spend as much time as they can with Todd's three children. "We haveanother son, Eric, who attends college in Austin, Texas."
Richards is no longer a firefighter. He is proud of his involvement with the department, however.
"Do you realize that Milford's fire department is rated one of the best in the entire country? We're ranked number 44, out of a total of 45,000 departments nationwide and are ranked in the top three in New England, with Cambridge, Ma., and Hartford. We are progressive and have one of the finest paramedic programs in the state, one of the finest departments in terms of hazardous material response, rescue operations and have Scuba and fire boat teams as well."
The former "beach kid" from Walnut Beach, who wasn't sure of a career when he was a young man, found his niche with Milford's Fire Department. He readily admits, on the other hand, that although he looks favorably on his career, he no longer has the inclination to chase fire trucks or emergency vehicles.
"But I remain close with many of my former firefighting brothers. We worked, played golf, socialized and spent a lot of time at the fire house together. We're bound to have been a fraternity, a close knit organization with one goal in mind, to be ready to help our neighbors when they needed us."