The Town of Vernon Fire Police Company regrets to announce the death of Fire Police Member Vincent Urban. Vinnie passed away unexpectedly at the age of 47 on June 22, 1999.
Vinnie was the husband of Donna (McGee) Vrissis-Urban, a member of the Town of Vernon Women's Auxiliary. He leaves two sons, Steve and Scott Urban, and two step-sons, Tom and Mike Vrissis. Mike is a firefighter with Engine Company 141.
He was a member and president of the Fire Police Company for almost six years. He very much enjoyed being a part of the Town of Vernon Fire Department along with his wife, Donna and his step-son, Mike.
Vinnie worked for the State of Connecticut for 28 years, where he was a manager of the Agency's Special Services. He was also owner of A&A Line Painting Company, which he operated with his step-son, Mike.
Funeral services were held on June 26, 1999 at Ladd Turkington Funeral Home with members of the Fire Police Company standing as Honor Guard, while members of the fire department stood at attention. Vinnie was laid to rest at St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT.
The family of Vincent Urban and the Fire Police Company would like to thank all who attended the calling hours and the funeral. Vinnie was a great person who was always willing to help others. He will be missed by everyone.

On July 7, 1999 Vernon Police Officer Rick Winkler was traveling down Hartford Turnpike, when he passed Bielecki's Garage, and noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the back of the garage. He immediately called for the fire department and went around the back of the building to assure everyone was out.
At 10:00 a.m. the Town of Vernon Fire Department's general tones were being dispatched to a reported working structure fire. The ambulance staff was first on scene, sizing up a 63-72 in a single story garage. ET541 was the first fire apparatus on-scene as heavy flames and smoke vented from the back roof.
Fire attack began with 1 3/4" lines to the "A" side of the building. Truck 541 set up on the A/B corner, as Tower 141 set up on the A/D corner. Both master streams were placed into operation. ET141 was maneuvered around to the back of the building where an additional hand line began to operate.
During initial fire attack, ET541 encountered mechanical difficulties. The truck's engine shut down and was unable to restart. It was later discovered the heavy smoke that billowed towards the apparatus contained hot embers. One of the embers was sucked into the air-intake and caught the air cleaner on fire, thus shutting down the engine.
Mutual aid companies from Tolland responded to assist in controlling the two-hour blaze, which is believed to have started from a vehicle fire in an old payloader inside the garage.
Lt. Wayne Soucier of Truck 541 sustained a minor injury at the call and was treated and released from Rockville General Hospital. This was the 2nd working fire at Bielecki's Garage in two years.