It is with deep regret that we announce the Line of Duty Death of Fire Marshal Timothy Smith.

Town of Orange Fire Marshal Tim Smith, 56, succumbed to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident after responding to a structure fire in Orange on Sunday, January 19th, 2020.

He leaves behind two daughters. He was the Fire Marshal since 1989, serving as Deputy prior.

Our condolences to all those affected. Rest in peace. Please keep FM Smith’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Orange Fire Marshal Tim Smith Arrangements

The wake services for Orange Fire Marshal Smith will be held on Friday January 24, 2020 4 to 8 PM at the Cody White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street Milford.

The Church Services will be held on Saturday January 25, 2020 10:00 am at Holy Infant Church, 456 Racebrook Road Orange.

Burial will be private.

Immediately following the church services there will be a gathering of friends and family to celebrate Tim’s life and accomplishments at Racebrook Country Club, 246 Derby Avenue, Orange.

Departments wishing to have an honor guard be present at the Church services are asked to email Chief Vaughan Dumas at ovfd@orange-ct.gov 

More information regarding remote parking will be released on Thursday.

Chief Vaughan Dumas,
Orange Fire Department

All meetings are held at the Wethersfield Fire Department Co.#3 at 7:00 P.M., except the Luncheon as part of the CSFA Convention

• February 20, 2020

• May 21, 2020

• August 20, 2020

• September 18, 2010 – Executive Committee Luncheon – Annual Convention

These events, and many more, are available on the Connecticut State Firefighters Association Calendar at http://csfa.org/csfa-calendar/.

For Immediate Release:                                                                             December 17, 2019

Larson’s Tax Benefit for Volunteer First Responders Included in End of Year Package

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, which included Larson’sVolunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA). The bipartisan legislation would exempt from taxation the benefits volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel receive from their communities for tax year 2020.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every time they respond to a call to protect our communities. They take these risks and volunteer on behalf of their neighbors, yet have been forced to pay federal taxes on the small tokens of gratitude their communities bestow in return. I’m proud that this bipartisan bill will now become law. This is the least we can do for these brave men and women,” said Larson.

Larson authored a similar bill that was signed into law in 2007, but the exemption expired in 2010. Currently, volunteers must pay federal income tax on these modest incentives. VRIPA would allow volunteer first responders to exempt from federal taxation any property tax reductions and up to $600 per year in other benefits in tax year 2020.

In recent years, the number of volunteer firefighters in the United States has declined by nearly 41,000 while the number of volunteers over the age of 50 has steadily increased. To boost recruitment and retention, many volunteer fire and EMS agencies provide minor financial and non-monetary incentives, including but not limited to uniforms, annual award ceremonies, and reduced property taxes.

The services donated by volunteer first responders are estimated to be worth approximately $46.9 billion annually. Without these services, many communities would be unable to provide firefighting and emergency medical services.

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If you missed the Convention on September 14, or if you misplaced your booklet, attached is the Annual Report of the Officers of the Connecticut State Firefighter’s Association.