Willington, Conn. — June 12 — The Willington Fire Department celebrated Life Member Jim Humphrey for 50 years of service to the Town of Willington.

In 1965, just after the South Station opened, Humphrey became a member of the department. He held every rank throughout his tenure, from assistant chief to firefighter. In 1973, he worked as a first aid instructor before becoming the department's first EMT.

Humphrey's brave acts after a car accident earned him the title of Connecticut State Firefighter of the Year that same year.

Humphrey returned to the department in 1994 after an 11-year hiatus that started in 1983, and he subsequently held the position of department president. Today, Humphrey continues to serve as the Life Member representative on the Board of Directors, where he shares the history and traditions of the fire service with newer members while helping preserve the department's legacy.