Pioneering Firefighter Patricia Aldrich Remembered In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Patricia Aldrich, a woman who changed the landscape of Vernon firefighting, has died, town officials said.

Aldrich was 81. She was living in Hendersonville, NC, and spend time in Ellington, Vernon and Suffield.

Aldrich joined the Vernon Ambulance Corps in 1969 and, seven years later, became the local fire department's first female firefighter. Two years after that, she was promoted to captain, the first woman to hold the rank.

She was considered a life member of the department.

Aldrich served as the leader of the Rescue Company for the Fire District and also through the consolidation of the Vernon Fire District and the Rockville Fire Departments.

Pat was also the first woman in Connecticut to become a deputy fire marshal. She was appointed to the post in 1980.

"Her knowledge, technical ability and skills as an instructor earned her respect from firefighters throughout the region," local official said.

Aldrich retired from the Fire Department in the 1990s.

A celebration of her life is scheduled for Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 695 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon.