Memorial Posted To 2 Longtime Tolland Firefighters

TOLLAND, CT — The Tolland Fire Department now has a living memorial to two legends who have passed on.

This week, department officials announced that retired Vernon Fire Department captain Mark Fluckiger Sr. had made and donated a duplex birdhouse to the fire department in honor of captains Dennis Carlson and Dale Zahner.

This birdhouse has been mounted on a tree in the front of Station 140.

Zahner died last September and Carlson died in May 2023.

Known as "Captain Zeke," Zahner was a combat medic during the Vietnam War. He started off as a volunteer EMT in 1980 with the Tolland Volunteer Ambulance Association. Eight years later, he was hired as a public safety officer/firefighter/EMT in Tolland and was promoted to fire captain in the Tolland Fire Department in 1989.

Zahner taught many classes including CPR, First Aid, and babysitting classes for the community, fire officials said. He also served as a mentor for newer firefighters and EMTs, especially when it came to driving.

In 2003, Zahner retired from the town of Tolland and Tolland Fire Department after 23 years of service.

Carlson was a first responder in town for more than three decades. Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley called Carlson's passing, "a very sad and painful time for our entire community."

Foley said, "We are stunned with the loss of Captain Carlson on so many levels. He gave so much to our community and touched & saved so many lives. Our first responders endure a lot, but this pain is beyond words. "