Dorrance "Doc" Johnson
Having a lifelong interest in the history of firefighting and fire departments, I am now pleased to be able to present the Beyond The Fire Line Website where I hope to be able to acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments of firefighters from around Connecticut and the U.S.
I have been an active member of the Branford Fire Department in Branford, CT for the past 40 years where I currently serve as Department Historian and with the M.P. Rice Hose Company 2 as an Apparatus Operator. I was also instrumental in the location and restoration of Branford’s Headquarters Engine 8, a 1953 Maxim engine that served as their first line piece for over 30 years
I am a 37-year veteran Police Officer and Communications Supervisor currently serving with the Branford Police Department, a former Respiratory Therapy Supervisor at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven and a former New Haven Ambulance EMT.
While continuing to follow my passion for fire history, I was recently honored to serve with New Haven Fire Commissioner William Celentano and Battalion Chief Edward Flynn (ret.) as an Associate Advisor for “New Haven Firefighters.” a pictorial history book depicting the early days of the New Haven Fire Department.
My long-term community involvement and dedication to the fire service has enabled me to forge lasting relationships with many public service officials who have largely contributed to the content of this website.
I would like to thank our designer Kathy Powers and our Editor Tom Raiola for their commitment to this project and Photographer Mary Johnson for creating the initial version of this website and for contributing many of the photographs that are seen on our pages.
