Kenneth Mitchell, 50-year veteran, dies

A 50-year-old veteran died after a medical emergency

The Orange Volunteer Fire Department today announced the death of one of its active members, 71-year-old Kenneth Mitchell.

Former department captain Mitchell died Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency while driving on Route 1 in Orange. He was recently honored for 50 years of service to the department.

“Kenny was a firefighter,” Chief Vaughan Dumas said. “He remained an active firefighter in Orange and also served in the Ansonia and Derby departments. He has also worked in numerous organizations that help train firefighters and establish practices and procedures that have positioned Connecticut’s fire departments among the best. His loss will be felt professionally and personally.”

A second-generation firefighter, Mitchell was sworn into the Orange Volunteer Fire Department on Oct. 11, 1973. He rose to the rank of captain. He served as chairman of the Carnival Committee and training officer. As a member of the Apparatus Specification Committee, Mitchell helped build and welcome the first ladder truck in 1996.

He served as former captain of Webster Hose, Hook & Ladder Company #3 in Ansonia; and former chief driver of Paugassett Hook & Ladder Company #4 in Derby. He was current president of the Valley Fire Chiefs Association, chairman of the Fire School Board of Directors, past vice president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, and a long-time member of the New Haven County Chiefs Association.

Mitchell is credited with modernizing fire training in Orange and the Lower Naugatuck Valley. He helped develop policies that allowed Orange to maintain a full volunteer roster, allowing some out-of-town firefighters, and helped with other innovations that kept the Orange department on high alert. He also had a reputation for mentoring younger firefighters.

Orange has benefited from Mitchell’s services in many other ways. He served as an additional police officer and school bus driver. He was also a member of several other local service organizations.

Mitchell is survived by his wife, Kim; son, Kenneth III; daughter, Kara; and his mother, Jean. He also had several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, former Orange Fire Chief Ken Mitchell Sr.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Spinelli-Ricciuti Funeral Home, 62 Beaver St., Ansonia. A telephone number will be available on Monday evening and the funeral will be held on Tuesday. Services will be held at Orange Congregational Church with burial to follow at Orange Center Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Racebrook Country Club immediately following the graveside service.

About the Orange Volunteer Fire Department Association

The Orange Volunteer Fire Department Association provides fire protection to residents and businesses in Orange, as well as through mutual aid to neighboring towns. Members receive training in firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues, and other emergency services.

Operating strictly on income from fundraising and donations, the Orange Volunteer Fire Department is one of the few remaining all-volunteer fire departments in Connecticut. Active members are available to serve the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, responding from stations on Orange Center Road and Boston Post Road.

In addition, the fire department offers public educational services, including lectures, demonstrations and training. For information about membership, donations or public education, call (203) 891-4703, click or find us on Facebook.