FOR HIS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH RHVFC
First Selectman Fred Camillo recently proclaimed October 16, 2023 as Volunteer District Chief Richard Strain Jr. Day. For 75 years The Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company, formed in 1948, has been providing first response emergency services and protecting life and property in backcountry and parts of Greenwich.
Rick joined the company in 1973 out of high school and has continued to serve as an active volunteer for 50 years, including election as District Chief in 1983 for the last 40 years. His tenure is likely the longest in the state of Connecticut, New England, and perhaps the country. During his time as Chief the Round Hill volunteers have responded to 13,917 emergency calls – nearly one call per day, every day of the year for 40 years (300-400 emergency calls per year).
Firefighting has a long history with the Strain family. Rick’s great grandfather, grandfather, father, and uncle all served their communities, many with RHVFC.
This legacy is also being carried on today in Greenwich. Rick’s wife Linda has been a 45-year Round Hill volunteer, his son Will is a career firefighter in Greenwich, and daughter Sharon is the new Volunteer District Chief at Round Hill.
The proclamation states, “The Town of Greenwich owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Rick Strain for 50 years of selfless service and commitment to the Town of Greenwich, and his leadership of Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company, the only all-volunteer fire company in Greenwich for 40 yeas.”
For those that have lived in Round Hill backcountry, we can all recall the numerous times the RHVFC has responded to fallen trees, downed electrical lines, power outages, vehicle accidents, and fires of all kinds. And in almost every time of need, Rick was personally at the scene, night or day, directing operations and answering our questions and concerns. While the Town of Greenwich honors Rick, the long time and current residents of Round Hill are the ones who received the most of his service and appreciate him the greatest. Thank you Rick.
