Frank R. Bradley Firefighter’s Memorial

The impressive memorial monument is located at the front entrance of the Main Fire Station in Simsbury. It has a small hexagonal top connected to a larger hexagonal base via six columns –it has the look of a cupola. Each of the upper panels is inscribed with the name of the six fire stations in Simsbury. There is a bronze fireman’s hat on top and a silver fire bell below.
The monument honors one firefighter in particular, and all deceased firemen from Simsbury.
The monument’s bronze plaque reads:
«Frank R. Bradley Memorial
In April of 1944, seventeen men stepped forward to form what would become the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company. Frank Bradley was one of those original seventeen.
In June of that year the Simsbury Fire District was created, followed closely by the creation of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company with the joint responsibility to provide fire protection for the residents of Simsbury.
On July 6^th, 1944, Frank Bradley, his wife Helen, and their two young daughters were attending the matinée performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus in Hartford, CT. Shortly after the show started, fire erupted across the big top. In a matter of seconds, mass panic erupted as the spectators stormed towards the exits in all directions.
Tragically, Frank and Helen Bradley became separated from their two daughters. Neither of the parents would emerge from the big top alive. Frank Bradley, that day, became the first deceased member of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company.
It is in his name that Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company honors all of our deceased members who have served the community with dedications and pride.»
Many of the bricks surrounding the monument have been inscribed with the names of Simsbury’s deceased firefighters. In front of the monument there is a plaque fastened into the bricks.
The plaque’s contains the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Sept crest and it’s inscription reads:
In The Line Of Duty
Inscribed Here Are The Names Of Those Who Have Died In Serves To Their Community
Lt. Richard F. Kelleher
November 6, 1981