Orange Fire Marshal Tim Smith. Photo by Steve Cooper.
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.
Smith’s wake will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 at the Cody White Funeral Home, located at 107 Broad St. in 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.
The Cody-White parking lot 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. If the Jepson Drive lot fills up, additional parking will be available behind the Milford courthouse at 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. 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.
Tim Smith’s life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Holy Infant Church, located at 450 Racebrook Rd. 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 scene to direct guests to parking. There is no graveside service.
A repast is scheduled after the funeral at the Racebrook Country Club, located at 246 Derby Ave. in Orange.
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 Department 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.”