Fire marshal killed in crash while returning home
Editor’s Note: Funeral details below.
United States Fire Administration
The U.S. Fire Administration has announced the official on-duty death of Fire Marshal Timothy P. Smith, 56, of the Orange, CT Fire Marshal’s Office on January 19, 2020.
On Sunday, January 19, 2020, Fire Marshal Timothy P. Smith was returning home after responding to a house fire in Orange, CT. His vehicle left the road and hit a tree. Fire Marshal Smith died instantly from the injuries he sustained in the accident.
Tribute is being paid to Fire Marshal Smith at http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/
To date, six firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2020. Year-to-date and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/ff_fatality_reports.html
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
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ORANGE, Conn. — Firefighters, police and municipal officials from across Connecticut and beyond are expected to pay their respects this weekend to Orange Fire Marshal Tim Smith, who died in the line of duty Sunday.
Working on behalf of the family, First Selectman James Zeoli, Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas and Deputy Fire Marshal James Vincent laid out the plans to accommodate Smith’s family and members of the public safety community who wish to attend Friday’s wake and Saturday’s funeral.
Wake — Friday, Jan. 24
Smith’s wake will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Cody White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford. An honor guard is being provided by members of the Orange Fire Marshal’s Office and the Orange Volunteer Fire Association, as well as members from surrounding departments who worked with Smith. In addition, the Connecticut Statewide Honor Guard will be assisting.
Except for on-duty personnel, those attending the wake are asked to enter from the rear of the building. On-duty personnel can enter the front of the funeral home. They will be escorted to the front of the line so they can pay their respects and get back on duty.
Parking arrangements are:
· The Cody-White parking lot (2) is reserved for the family and handicapped guests.
· The public and individual firefighters are asked to park in the Milford Senior Center lot on Jepson Drive (3). If the Jepson Drive lot fills up, additional parking will be available behind the Milford courthouse, 14 W. River St. A shuttle bus will run between those locations and the funeral home.
· Berchem Moses PC, attorneys, have made their parking lot at 75 Broad St. (4) available. It is designated for public safety chiefs with official cars and municipal officials.
· On-duty personnel can park their vehicles on the eastbound side of Broad Street opposite the funeral home.
Because of the number of people expected, Nelson Ambulance will have an EMS unit standing by and Milford Fire will have their canteen truck available.
Funeral – Saturday, Jan. 25
Tim Smith’s life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Holy Infant Church, 450 Racebrook Road in Orange. Parking will be available at the church. If additional parking is needed, it will be available at Saint Barbara’s Church. Personnel will be on the scene to direct guests to parking. There is no graveside service.
A repast is scheduled after the funeral at the Racebrook Country Club, 246 Derby Ave.
As is the tradition for fallen firefighters, Smith will be transported from the funeral home to the church on the back of a fire engine, accompanied by an honor guard. Apparatus from many area departments are expected to be part of the procession. The funeral will feature bagpipers from three pipe-and-drum groups, a last dispatch to honor Smith, the ringing of a ceremonial fire bell and the presentation of a flag and Smith’s helmet to his family.
During the wake and funeral, firefighters from Ansonia, Oxford, North Branford and East Haven will be in Orange to respond to alarms. AMR will post an ambulance near the church.
Smith was called to the scene of a housefire Sunday afternoon to investigate the cause. After he completed the investigation, he was headed home when he was killed in a one-vehicle motor vehicle accident. The crash is still under investigation by the Woodbridge Police Dept. and the Connecticut State Police accident reconstruction team.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the fire and police departments in surrounding towns,” said Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas. “While we work to help Tim’s family and friends, including members of our own department and the Fire Marshal’s office, the sympathy, support and very real commitment of time and resources from these other departments is helping Orange firefighters pay tribute to Tim and mourn his loss.”
