Lt. Daniel K. Kehoe, (Ret.)
My name is Dan Kehoe, a former SVAA member, Lieutenant, and EMT-B, with service to the organization from May 1982 until June 2016 when my wife and I retired to North Carolina.
Although there are many other publicly accessible SVAA-related websites, photo albums, newsletters, and emails floating around the internet, I decided to create www.SVAAHistory.com specifically for these reasons:
- There are things I know about the SVAA and its history that other people don’t, owing to my long service as a volunteer there. At the time I left, I was the longest serving member of the SVAA, though others have stayed and since exceeded my record (former Assistant Chief Sonny Osowiecki, and Bill Borchers, to name two. I had the fortune of joining only weeks before they did.) I officially resigned taking shifts in January 2009, but continued taking PAT Team calls up until just before I left the state.
- I wanted to create a concise, easily navigated site as a starting point for those who wish to understand the history of the SVAA; I link occasionally outside the site to existing Facebook posts to allow people to drill down on various topics.
- Three decades was a long time to participate in the building up of the SVAA, helping span the growth it enjoyed from founding in 1976 until today, and my story offers a foundation for today’s members to launch from and create the next recorded history. Included in my recollections are plenty of trivia and oddities about the SVAA that will otherwise be lost forever if I don’t relate them. While in Suffield, I was deeply inspired by the historical documentation of the late Mary Anne Zak, benefactor to the town and the SVAA, and thus follow in her footsteps. I am in my early 70s as I write this, with no guarantees for the future—so this site had to be created now.
I want to offer members old and new alike things to share and reminisce about, hoping it rekindles past friendships. Of course, tall tales and lore also abound, especially the older we all get, so my recollected history posted on this website might also dispel some untruths, clear up mysteries, and inform the future SVAA generations of what came before them, as documented by someone who was actually there.
My website is stocked with many stories, old photos, and calendar dates—some I may have incorrect, or too vaguely expressed. So, I encourage all former and current SVAA members to challenge my memory, point out errors, identify people in old photos, and provide information that would anchor an increasingly accurate rendition of events. As always, I apologize for leaving anyone or anything out—perhaps you will be motivated to add it.
Remember these things as you peruse the site: this is my recollection of events, based on my experience, my research of historical facts, documents, pictures, postings, and sometimes just relating things from my fading memory.
This site does not supplant any official sites of the SVAA (like www.SuffieldEMS.org) or its authorized social media impressions and communications. My site appears without prompting, invitation, financial compensation, or the blessing of the SVAA Board or Trustees; therefore, it should not be viewed as any sanctioned history of the organization.
Get ready to learn and reminisce. This is how I believe the story goes. I hope you enjoy following along. Click here to get started.