Durham & Middlefield Volunteer Firefighters Honored For Work With Area High Schoolers

DURHAM-MIDDLEFIELD, CT — Every community has first responders who are leaving a local legacy in the areas they serve.

In light of this, Patch and T-Mobile are spotlighting local EMTs, firefighters and police officers who are making a difference in their communities.

Over the past two years, the Middlefield and Durham volunteer fire companies have taught students at Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham about firefighting and emergency services, "blending cognitive learning with hands-on training — all with a strong focus on safety," officials said.

In May, the two fire companies were presented with a 2025 "Distinguished Friend of Education" award for their work at Coginchaug High by the Connecticut Association of Schools. The honor, created in 1983, is presented to "a person and an organization or corporation for outstanding service to education in Connecticut."

Middlefield Fire Lt. Eric St. Amand, who spearheads the Fire Science course, told Patch that 25 students have taken the course over the past two years, which due to its success, is poised to continue.

"We never expected to receive recognition from The Connecticut Association of Schools," St. Amand said. "The goal of the program is to promote fire safety and educate students about potential volunteer and career opportunities in the fire service. That being said, we are extremely thankful for the recognition, and we will strive to find creative ways to serve our community."

According to St. Amand, the course curriculum includes learning about the incident command system; building construction; communications; hazardous materials; fire science; extinguishers; ropes; knots; tools; water supply systems; ladders; ventilation; sprinkler systems; hoselines; extrication; and fire investigation modules.

Several of the firefighters attended an instructors' conference in 2023, which helped them set up the course.

"We learned about how a few other towns in the state have executed similar programs," St. Amand said. "We took the initiative, and approached the high school's administration, who were excited to help us create the curriculum and incorporate it into the Spring 2024 Program of Studies. The curriculum is modeled after the Connecticut Firefighter 1 curriculum, without putting students in live fire scenarios."

Some faculty members and alumni from the high school are also volunteer firefighters, who have helped with the course. Faculty members nominated the two fire companies for the award.

"Both Durham and Middlefield Volunteer Fire Companies play an integral part in the educational experience for the students," St. Amand said.

Thank you for all you do, Lt. Amand and members of the Middlefield and Durham fire companies!