By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• • Jason “Jay” Kelly, a longtime equipment technician with the Bristol Fire Department, died unexpectedly while off duty, officials said.
• • Kelly had served with the department since September 2004 and was widely respected for his technical expertise and contributions statewide.
• • He maintained apparatus and equipment and played a key role in firefighting foam remediation efforts across Connecticut.
• • Colleagues and public safety officials described him as positive, helpful and beloved within the fire service community.
• • Funeral and memorial arrangements were announced by the department and local officials.

BRISTOL, CT — Firefighters in Bristol and across Connecticut are mourning the unexpected death of Jason “Jay” Kelly, a veteran equipment technician with the Bristol Fire Department who died while off duty Jan. 10, officials said.

Kelly joined the Bristol Fire Department in September 2004 and spent more than two decades maintaining and outfitting fire apparatus and staff vehicles, earning praise for his technical skill and dedication.

In addition to his work on department equipment, Kelly assisted other fire and police agencies statewide and played a key role in coordinating a program to phase out firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals.

Bristol Fire Chief Richard Hart and other colleagues described Kelly as a positive presence who was always willing to help, noting his infectious smile and practical support both on and off the fireground.

Officials announced funeral and wake arrangements, with services scheduled at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home in Wethersfield and a funeral mass at St. James Church in Rocky Hill, where Kelly will be laid to rest.

Kelly is survived by his wife and daughter, and public safety departments throughout the region have expressed condolences to his family and fellow firefighters.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• • Rehab Five, a volunteer rehabilitation unit in Peabody, Massachusetts, is celebrating 40 years of supporting firefighters with hydration, cooling, food and decontamination services at incidents.
• • The organization was founded in 1986 by Roger Baker to help combat fatigue and environmental hazards at fire scenes before formal rehab was common.
• • Rehab Five now operates a fleet of nine vehicles and responds to about 175–280 calls annually across southern Essex County.
• • Volunteers provide seasonal services including cooling and hydration in summer and warming and vital sign checks in winter, plus decontamination to reduce occupational cancer risk.
• • Rehab Five is entirely donation-supported and does not bill for services, covering insurance, equipment and operational costs through community contributions.

PEABODY, MA — Rehab Five, a volunteer rehabilitation unit that provides essential support services to firefighters at emergency scenes, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, officials and volunteers said.

Founded in 1986 by Roger Baker in southern Essex County, Rehab Five began with a converted ambulance offering hydration and nutrition to crews before fire ground rehabilitation was widely recognized as a formal practice. The unit’s services expanded over the years to include cooling, warming, vital sign monitoring and, more recently, decontamination support aimed at mitigating long-term occupational health risks.

Today, a fleet of nine Rehab Five vehicles staffed by about 15 volunteers self-dispatches to an average of roughly 175 calls annually, with some years seeing as many as 280 responses. The unit supports local fire departments during extended operations, brush fires and other challenging incidents where firefighter fatigue and environmental exposures are concerns.

Rehab Five volunteers deliver services tailored to incident conditions and seasons, including cooling and hydration with ice, water and sports drinks in hot weather and warming stations with hot beverages in colder months. The organization also employs specialized wipes and other tools to help remove harmful combustion byproducts from firefighters after extended exposures.

Operating entirely on donations without billing for services, Rehab Five covers insurance and equipment costs through community support. Officials said sustaining the unit’s work depends on continued contributions to maintain readiness and presence at emergency scenes.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• • Hunt County commissioners voted to end the contract with the Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department for services in unincorporated areas outside Quinlan, Texas.
• • The move followed a March 2025 house fire that killed three people and prompted questions about the department’s response.
• • Commissioners also cited a 2025 crash involving a Quinlan fire truck that raised concerns about training and vehicle maintenance.
• • Coverage inside the Quinlan city limits by the South Hunt County Fire Department is not affected.
• • Fire protection services will continue under the current agreement for 90 days while the county seeks a long-term solution.

HUNT COUNTY, TX — Hunt County commissioners on Jan. 8 voted to discontinue their contract with the Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department for fire protection services in unincorporated areas outside the city of Quinlan, officials said.

The decision followed a series of incidents involving the volunteer department, including a March 2025 house fire on North Shore Road that claimed three lives, prompting families of victims to ask county leaders for a review of the department’s response.

Commissioners also referenced a crash earlier in 2025 involving a department fire truck, saying the collision raised questions about readiness, training and maintenance of equipment, though specific details of the crash have not been released publicly.

The move affects fire protection services in unincorporated rural areas; response within the Quinlan city limits by the South Hunt County Fire Department continues separate from the county contract.

Officials said existing fire protection services will remain in place during a 90-day transition period while commissioners work to identify a long-term solution for residents in the impacted areas.