By Stephen Underwood
Hartford Courant
TORRINGTON, Conn. — The Torringford Volunteer Fire Department has announced it is disbanding after more than 68 years serving the City of Torrington, officials said.
The news of the closure comes after years of struggling to recruit members, according to the department.
Torrington’s main firehouse is located downtown on Water Street, but the Torringford firehouse, which is located at 1738 E. Main St. in the east end of the city, has served many of Torrington’s outlying areas and provided critical support for the city, officials said.
With its closure, the city will be down to just two fire departments, the Torrington Fire Department and the Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department. There are approximately 25 volunteer firefighters at the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department, which assists in 25% of incidents in the city, according to the fire department.
The news of the closure was met with widespread shock and sadness on social media. Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone said the department reached a “critical decision” about their long-term viability after spending almost $10,000 in recruitment efforts over the past several years, according to a statement posted on Facebook on Monday.
“After weighing all of our options, particularly the continued challenge of recruiting volunteers, we regret that, effective April 1, 2025 the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department must discontinue its volunteer fire support services,” James Potter, president of the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department, said in a statement.
The Burrville Volunteer Fire Department in Torrington closed in 2017, and the nearby Morris Volunteer Fire Department shut down in 2018.
“This is a sad end of an era,” Carbone said in a statement. “The Torringford Volunteer Fire Department has provided 68 years of proud service to our community — in many ways shaping our identity and culture. The existence of this iconic organization was only possible because of the hundreds of men and women that voluntarily trained and responded to emergencies in the city and the immeasurable charitable contributions and support that the businesses and residents in the east end provided to the department.”
The volunteer department, which was formed in 1957, has held the motto “neighbors helping neighbors” since it was founded over six decades ago.
“As we announce the closing of our volunteer fire department after 68 years of dedicated service, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude. To the community that has supported us throughout the decades — thank you for your unwavering trust and encouragement. Your support has been vital in helping us protect and serve the area that we are proud to call home. To all current and past members, we thank you,” the department said in a statement.
“Your commitment to the community over the years is a testament to your dedication to the city of Torrington and gave life to this department,” the department added. “We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Even with Torringford closing, we will always live by our motto of ‘neighbors helping neighbors,’ and more than ever we know you all will join us.”
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