WILTON — One of the best ways to learn any business is by growing up in it, and firefighting is no exception.
Wilton Fire Department has the unique distinction of having four families with father-son connections, which in some cases extend three generations.
Starting out young gives members a solid understanding and appreciation for everything involved.
"It’s a family affair," Assistant Chief Bill Morgan said. "It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When the fire whistle blew, everyone took off."
His father, William E. Morgan, was Wilton’s chief for 30 years and both of his grandfathers, Edward Morgan and George Morehouse, were firemen, too. Morgan, 54, said dedication is the most important thing he learned from his father, 72, a 55-year member of the department.
"Even though he’s not getting paid for it, it’s like a second job to him," he said.
While it isn’t official yet, Bill Morgan’s son, Joseph, 16, might keep the family tradition going.
These days, with more and more new people moving to the area, it’s rare to find the kind of family connections Wilton Fire Department boasts. The Petteys family has three generations — past Chief Curt Petteys Sr., Curt Jr. and his son, 16-year-old Steve, who’s going through an Explorer’s Post junior training program. Curt Jr.’s late grandfather — also named Curt — was a charter member when the department was organized in 1947.
"When I was a kid I went to the fire house with my father all the time," he said. "When I joined I pretty much had an understanding what things were for and how to use them. It’s the same way with my son."
Steve Kloss, 69 and his
46-year-old son, Steve, are both longtime members and Kloss’s grandson, Nathan Keiper, 17, is a junior member. "Things have changed so much they’re probably teaching me now," the elder Kloss said. "We used to ride on the backs of trucks. I can remember riding on the fender of our brush truck. You can’t do that anymore because of safety regulations."
Things are different — better training, modern equipment and, most importantly, fewer structure fires thanks largely to improved building and fire safety codes. One thing that hasn’t changed is the commitment needed to be a firefighter. In some respects, it’s even greater because of the extensive training involved. All new members have to pass an 84-hour course. Officers have to learn even more.
"You have to know about all the trucks and how to run them," said Fire Commissioner and past Assistant Chief John Liptak. "There’s a lot to it."
Liptak, 70, followed in the footsteps of his late father, Frank, a paid fireman in Greenwich, Conn. "I grew up in the firehouse," he said. "When I was 16 I knew the ropes ahead of time. I’ve done it all my life and I really enjoy it."
He became a fireman in Connecticut in 1956 and transferred his membership to Wilton when he moved here in October 1966. His son, 37-year-old John Jr., a captain, has been with the department for 10 years.
"I never pushed him to join," Liptak said. "When he got ready to join, he just decided he wanted to do it."
Almost each of these men is or has been an officer, chief or fire commissioner at one time during their careers. Regardless of family ties, the department welcomes all new members, men and women, because individual traits — bravery, volunteerism, willingness to serve — are still the most important of all.
Curt Petteys II displays the helmet of his father, who has been a Wilton firefighter for more than 40 years but has been absent from the department recently due to illness.
Fire Service Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women who have completed the eighth grade and are 14 years of age, or 15 years of age but have not yet reached their 21st birthday.
Fire Service Explorer posts help youth gain insight into a variety of programs that offer hands-on career activities. For young men and women who are interested in careers in the field of fire service, Exploring offers experiential learning with lots of fun-filled, hands-on activities that promote the growth and development of adolescent youth.
