Branford FD

Eddie Ramos Nov. 1996

Despite a massive effort by several fire companies, Branford Firefighter Ed Ramos lost his life when he and 2 other firefighters were buried by rubble during a truss roof collapse at the Floors & More Carpet Warehouse fire on
Thanksgiving 1996.

"Despite having his SCBA face piece knocked off in the collapse, Firefighter Ramos stayed on the hoseline and knocked down the fire so the other firefighters could escape" (United States Fire Administration National Fire Data Center.)

Following the collapse, DC William Pepe was able to escape and rescue FFJohn Cudgma who was overcome by smoke after also becoming trapped and exhausting his air supply.

Ramos was the 3rd LODD in the history of the Branford Fire Dept.

Branford Connecticut Fire History

Universal Builders Supply 1986

A general-alarm fire, that was deliberately set by a disgruntled employee, completely destroyed Universal Builders Supply on West Main St. on December 1st of 1986. The arsonist was apprehended by police while leaving the fire scene.

Branford Fire Dept. Opens Drill School

Branford, CT - Drillmaster Wayne Babcock (R) and Asst. Drillmaster Harold Prisley (L) address a group of volunteer firefighters at the Branford Fire Dept. training grounds in 1968. The school was the first of its kind in the area and featured a smoke house, burn pit and ladder tower.

Drill School

Drill School Photos 1968.

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Tank Fire Drill

In the early 1970's Branford firefighters routinely drilled with live tank fires at the department's training grounds on Pleasant Pt. Rd. (W. Babcock photo)

Rural Firefighters Feel The Heat

Branford firefighters (left photo) stretch hose lines into a remote wooded area to battle flames in an abandoned farm house on Yost Dr. sometime in the late 1980's

Hemmingway Street 1988

A fully involved garage fire is shown as it is extending to an adjacent exposure on Hemmingway St. in the Pawson Park section of town on April 1st of 1988. The fire started when embers from a burning dumpster ignited the garage roof. (R. Mullen photos).

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Firefighter Dies At Warehouse Fire

Firefighter Ed Ramos became trapped and later perished when a truss roof on the warehouse portion of the Floors & More Carpet Outlet building collapsed on November 28th of 1996. The General Alarm fire lit up the Thanksgiving night sky and the building was completely destroyed.

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Inferno Destroys Branford Block

Firefighters faced the greatest challenge in the history of their department in January of 1998 during a fast moving fire at the Castellon Bakery Building on Main St. that threatened the entire central business district. (Photos by Dorrance Johnson.)

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