About The Harwinton West Side Volunteer Fire Department

Established in 1955, Harwinton West Side Volunteer Fire Department is dedicated to providing high quality fire and rescue services to its residents and visitors. We are located in the Litchfield Hills of Northwestern Connecticut.

Operations

The Harwinton West Side Volunteer Fire Department has been serving the Town of Harwinton as a first responder to fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents and other emergencies since 1955. In addition, we provide mutual-aid assistance to the towns of Burlington, Litchfield, New Hartford, Thomaston, Torrington, Plymouth, and Terryville (combined population: 92,279).

As a department, our coverage area includes a 4-mile portion of the state highway Route 8. In the years between 2000 and 2022, Harwinton West Side responded to an average of 186 calls per year, with an average of seven volunteers per call. Harwinton West Side currently has 16 active certified Fire Fighters who have completed a minimum of 160 hours of training.

In addition, Exterior Fire Fighters, Support Services, and a Junior Fire Fighter group are all available as needed to provide assistance to the certified firefighters. In addition to the services that we provide, the Harwinton West Side Volunteer Fire Department serves as a community-gathering center for residents looking to hold meetings, personal occasions, social events and other functions. Determined to be good neighbors, we often open our doors for open houses and participate in teaching fire safety to children at their schools and to the public. Our Fire Fighters participate in town meetings, attend state and national training for emergency preparedness and contribute to worthy functions as volunteers. We conduct an annual toy drive and run a food booth at the Harwinton Fair.