top of page

Canton mourns passing of retired Fire Chief Richard Hutchings

The greater Canton community is mourning the death of retired fire chief Richard Hutchings.


In a social media post, the organization for which he served for some 46 years noted the following.


"The Town of Canton Fire & EMS regrets to announce the passing of Retired Chief Richard Hutchings. Chief Hutchings was a dedicated member of the Fire & EMS Department for over forty-six years, beginning his service to the Town of Canton in 1977. In 1996 Hutchings was appointed as the first Chief of Department, of the newly formed Town of Canton Fire & EMS. As the first Chief of Department, he was instrumental in the initial strategy to modernize the Department. Over the years Hutch would step up in the Departments time of need in the rank of Chief of Department again, and other various command staff roles. Hutch had a strong passion for continued fire service education, and training throughout his years of service.

The Departments asks to keep Hutch, and his family in your prayers through this difficult time."



Below is our July 7, 2023 story on Hutchings.


Richard Hutchings filled virtually every role in his 46 years with the Canton Fire and EMS service.

 

By John Fitts

Staff Writer

 

CANTON – The fire and EMS service has pretty much always had an impact on Richard F. Hutchings.


His father, Richard E. Hutchings, was a charter member of the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, which formed after the Collins Company shut its doors circa 1966.

And while he wasn’t allowed to ride the apparatus, the younger Richard Hutchings was allowed to drive with his dad to fire calls and remembers doing so by the time he was 15 or 16.


 His father’s rule “was very simple,” Hutchings noted. “’[If] you want to go to fires and such and learn this stuff - you gotta be in the car when I’m in the driver’s seat. If you’re not there, you’re not going.’ I got very good at getting dressed fast and listening to him come down the stairs.”


A few years later, on Jan. 17, 1977, Hutchings joined the department himself.


“It’s strange,” Hutchings said. “I think I turned 18 that day.”


Hutchings, who was fortunate enough to serve alongside his late father for a time, went on the serve in Canton for 46 years, only retiring earlier this year.


His 2023 retirement date was – naturally – Jan. 17.


“Hutch,” as many calls him, finally stepped down only due to some health and family issues, which included his mother Ruth’s declining health. She died in February.


Recently the town of Canton honored Hutchings’ decades of volunteerism with a service award, presented by the Board of Selectmen at a meeting in mid-June.


Deputy First Selectman Bill Volovski, who served alongside Hutchings in the fire service for 35 years, presented the award.


“Hutch has a long resume and a long list of accomplishments, but I’m going to focus on just one thing that I think made the greatest impression,” Volovski said. “Going back in history – before 1995 … we had three completely separate and independent fire departments in the town of Canton, with three chiefs, three boards of directors, three of everything… Even though we went to the same fire and emergency calls together it was by no means efficient and…. at some points, it was actually self-destructive.”


“A number of us over the years worked to try and effect a merger of the fire service so there was one chief, one way of doing things, one command structure for the fire service and when that happened in 1995, Rich Hutchings stepped forward to be our first chief. Rich’s 15 years or so that he spent as chief literally brought fire service, EMS service into the 21st century,” Volovski added.


The change is one of many Hutchings has seen over the years.


He was first interested in the activity when times were a little simpler – at least in some respects.


When he hung around the Collinsville department as a young man, Hutchings said, there were many other kids there as well. Organized activities were fewer then. Most of the kids he knew, boys especially, played just a handful of high school sports or joined the department.


“Every Monday night there would be kids like I was hanging around the fire house helping dad or hanging out with each other and that’s how I met half the guys I know because that’s what they did,” he said. “In Downtown Canton, there [was] not a lot of activity unless you played high school basketball, baseball or soccer. I didn’t play any of those sports, so the only option you had to be out in the community was the fire department, so it was just fun and easy and you felt you were doing something worthwhile. You were helping people.”


And training requirements were much different. When he joined, Hutchings said, then chief Ken Drs told him, “Go find a turnout coat, find some boots that fit you and a helmet that fits you and, if a call comes in, get on the truck.”


It was very shortly after joining the Collinsville department that Hutchings became involved in the Emergency Medical Services side of things. At the time, he said, Canton Memorial Ambulance was a separate service but had essentially become a division of the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department. On June 21, 1977 he graduated from a EMT class, as well as high school. At his parents’ insistence, he went, somewhat begrudgingly, to the Canton High School graduation.


Since Hutchings joined, training and safety requirements for the fire and EMS service have continually evolved.


Hutchings eventually attended Hartford County Fire School in Bloomfield and even over the course of a few months, change came. When he started the young trainees weren’t even wearing airpacks and he remembers a gruff instructor smoking a cigar in a smoky training facility.


But by the time he finished the class, which involved fewer hours than today’s training, airpacks had come online – although they were still only initially used in limited situations.

Throughout his life, the skills Hutchings has learned through the local service have helped him in his career and education. The reverse is also true and his list of certifications, degrees and experience is extensive. 


Hutchings held a few odd jobs after high school and had initially looked at a career with a fire department, but circa 1980, he landed a job with Bristol EMS.


Along the way he would eventually meet his future wife, Maureen, who also worked for Bristol EMS, and is now a nurse in the memory care field. The two were married in 1992.

By then time Hutchings landed that job, he had already obtained an associates in Biology from Tunxis Community College in the late 1970s and decided to study nursing. In May of 1985 he got his Associates Degree in nursing through Greater Hartford Community College.


Shortly after, he was hired at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, starting off part time and working both jobs for awhile before eventually going full time. He stayed at the hospital for 24 years. The hospital funded educational pursuits and Hutchings was able to obtain both a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration/Management and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Hartford. 


Later, Hutchings went to work for UConn Health and has been there since 2006. Today, he serves as one of the assistant nurse managers for the emergency department at UConn Health.


Hutchings has also served his country and in late 1990 joined U.S. Army Federal Reserve First Army New England, under great odds that he’d never be called to active duty.


But as the Gulf War buildup came with Operation Desert Shield, it turned into Operation Desert Storm with a bombing campaign in Iraq in early 1991. The date? Jan. 17. That day Hutchings was watching news coverage with his parents and shortly after the phone rang.

“The phone rings and my father said, ‘it’s for you’ and he had this look like this is not a good call,” Hutchings said.


In a short time, Hutchings ended up serving as a nurse in a station hospital in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Bahrain, rising to the rank of 1st lieutenant.


Despite that service, long hours on the job and in the classroom over the years, Hutchings continue to serve the local Fire and EMS service.


Early on, he was a captain of EMS. At the time, he said, that position was more administrative. But it was also a time of great change and training responsibilities were continually being upgraded. Additionally, he served at a time when the state finally allowed town departments to bill for their services. That also gave rise to private EMS staffing companies, which towns like Canton continue to rely on to supplement volunteers.


During those years, he also served on the ambulance, which in the early years went on as little as a couple of calls per week, he said. He, of course, was still a firefighter in addition to an EMT.


Later, Hutchings switched gears, serving more on the fire side and command side of the service and holding every command position – including lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and assistant chief.


As previously mentioned, he was the first to serve as a chief under a consolidated department. As the position came with a stipend, making him the first paid department chief. While it wasn’t continuous, Hutching said his service as chief adds up to approximately 14 years.


In recent times, Hutching also served many years as safety officer.


Of course, the life of a chief in modern times has come with challenges, Hutchings and others have worked hard to solve.  With intense training requirements, people’s busy lives and fewer local mills and factories at which many volunteers traditionally worked, small towns have consistently struggled to attract new volunteers and Canton, like many other towns, has had to supplement its ranks with limited staffing of paid firefighters and a contracted EMS service, particularly on weekdays.


Another change for which he pushed, Hutchings said, was elevating EMS command staff to hold “fire ground” authority, pushing those volunteers out of just administrative duties and giving them more responsibilities at scenes.


There were of course, numerous other logistical and other challenges, training requirements, evolving standards to track and so much more. In addition, some of the changes over the years, such as the combination of departments, were controversial in town.

But despite some challenges along the way, Hutching said he has always loved serving.

For one, it was always an area at which Hutchings felt he could learn and offer something of value.


 “I had a healthy respect for the fact that, yeah, you could die in there, but I relied heavily on the fact that I trusted my training and trusted my fellow firefighters that we would do our best to come back out,” he said.


And then of course there was always that comradery of the department, clearly evident in the dozens who came out for his recent Board of Selectmen award ceremony.

Hutchings noted that the town of Canton Fire and EMS has previously honored him, and he is grateful for that. He also said he wants to thank the town for the recent recognition.


“It was very nice to have them do that,” he said.



At a June 14, 2023 meeting, Canton Selectman Bill Volovski presents Richard Hutchings with a service award for 46 years in the Canton Fire and EMS Service. Volovski served alongside Hutchings for 35 years.

 

 

 

 

 

VAL_01.jpg
WHL_01.jpg

Valley Happenings

UPDATED:

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington

 

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. Cheese and crackers from 3:00-4:00 p.m., buffet from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and coffee and dessert from 6:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or online at www.HometownFoundation.org Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

Have a press release or story idea? Send me a note.

Thanks for submitting!

© 2023 by Train of Thoughts. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page