About Us
The Ledyard Fire Company is a combination fire department of approximately 48 volunteer firefighters, fire police officers, EMTs, cadets, and administrative members. This dedicated team is supplemented by two career firefighters provided by the Town of Ledyard, who staff the station Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
In partnership with the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, we serve approximately 40 square miles and protect a population of nearly 16,500 residents. The Ledyard Fire Company is responsible for District One within the Town of Ledyard.
Our apparatus fleet includes two engines, a tanker, a heavy rescue unit, a UTV with a trailer for search and rescue operations, and a pickup truck equipped with EMS gear that serves as a training, duty, and EMS response vehicle. All emergency calls are dispatched through the Ledyard Emergency Communications Center (LECC), also known as Station R.
Our members are trained to meet both state and national standards in fire suppression, technical rescue, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and disaster operations. Beyond emergency response, we take pride in our strong community presence participating in local events, delivering fire safety education, and building lasting relationships with the residents we serve.
Our History
The Ledyard Fire Company District #1, Inc. was established in 1951 by 81 residents of the Town of Ledyard. The original fire station, located at 737 Colonel Ledyard Highway, was a modest two-bay structure that housed a 1951 Diamond Reo engine and a former military brush truck.
In the early 1960s, the department expanded to include space for an ambulance, marking the beginning of organized ambulance service in Ledyard. This initiative ultimately led to the creation of the Ledyard Ambulance Service, Inc. (L.A.S.I), which later evolved into the Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad (L.V.E.S.).
As the department grew, so did its identity and capabilities. In 1967, the company adopted its first uniform and emblem, designed by Francis A. Bouge and inspired by the B.F. Hoxie Engine Company in Mystic. The emblem featured the Great Oak of Ledyard and formally identified the organization as District #1.
The 1970s brought significant expansion, including additional apparatus bays and support space to accommodate a growing fleet of engines, rescue vehicles, and specialty units. In 1976, the department introduced its first hydraulic rescue tool, greatly enhancing its effectiveness in responding to motor vehicle accidents.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the department explored several options to expand or replace its aging facility. After years of planning, a new centralized Emergency Services Building was approved in the late 1990s.
In 1996, the company adopted a new emblem designed by former Chief George R. Chapman. The updated design reflected the department’s evolving mission, incorporating symbols of firefighting, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, and Ledyard’s heritage.
By 2001, increasing demand for emergency medical services led to the addition of a dedicated EMS/command vehicle (R-16), further strengthening response capabilities. Shortly thereafter, the Town approved construction of a new facility at 11 Fairway Drive. Completed in 2004, the modern 18,500-square-foot Emergency Services Building now houses the Ledyard Fire Company, American Ambulance, and the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Today, the facility features four drive-through bays, a hose tower, specialized support areas, training and meeting rooms, and living quarters enabling our members to train, respond, and serve the community more effectively than ever before.
From our founding in 1951 to today, the Ledyard Fire Company has remained committed to protecting life, property, and the environment while serving the community with professionalism, compassion, and dedication.