Colchester Retires 2002 John Deere Gator After Years of Service

Colchester, CT. — November 6, 2026 — Colchester Fire and Emergency Medical Services has officially decommissioned UTV 228, a 2002 John Deere Gator that served the department for more than two decades.

Originally purchased by the Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Company in the early 2000s with donated funds, the utility vehicle was among the first off-road emergency service vehicles of its kind in the area.

Previously known as Gator 1-28, the unit was used for emergency responses, mutual-aid assignments and standby operations both in Colchester and in surrounding communities. Its compact size and off-road capabilities made it useful for reaching locations that larger emergency vehicles could not easily access.

UTV 228 supported EMS operations by transporting patients from remote locations. Equipped with a stretcher, the vehicle was particularly useful along the airline trails, at Day Pond and in other areas where traditional ambulances could not reach. The Gator also transported firefighters and equipment during brush fire operations and provided access to wooded areas and difficult terrain.

Although UTV 228 has been removed from the Colchester Fire and EMS fleet, it will continue to serve the Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Company. The company plans to use the vehicle for building and grounds maintenance at Schuster Park, where its dump-body bed will remain useful.