People in Torrington are upset about a volunteer fire department that is closing after 68 years.

Torrington Mayor Elinore Carbone says this news comes as the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department on East Main Street struggles to recruit volunteers.

"They've served the community very well and it's a very sad day to see that they're going to be closing," says former Torringford Fire Commissioner Buddy Milo.

Milo, who's lived in Torrington his entire life, says closing the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department is the end of an era.

"My heart goes out to all the volunteers that have worked all these years. So hard, so dedicated, gave up a lot of their lives, a lot of their family time, both men and women that have done this. They've done a fantastic job, and I wish them luck," says Milo.

Milo says the original Torringford department in 1957 was across the street. He says the department has been a valued part of the community.

"You know their motto at the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department always has been neighbors helping neighbors," says Milo.

Milo and others tell News 12 that the closest department will be more than a couple miles away.

"What if something big happens? There's Walmart, there's, you know , Market 32, there's Target - so definitely going to be in trouble I think," says former Litchfield fire volunteer Darcie Jones.

The office of Mayor Elinor Carbone and the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department posted a lengthy release on Facebook.

"Globally volunteers are increasingly more difficult to recruit and almost impossible to retain," says Carbone.

"After weighing all our options, particularly the continued challenge of recruiting volunteers, we regret that, effective April 1, 2025 the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department must discontinue its fire support services," says Fire Department Union President James Potter.

"People can't volunteer during the day because they're all at work," says Jones.

The Burrville Volunteer Fire Department in Torrington closed in 2017 and so did the nearby Morris department in 2018.

Torrington's main firehouse is located downtown, but this location has served many of the outlying areas. Their membership consists of local volunteers who received training from regional fire schools in the state and in-house training from members with decades of experience.

The fire department says it's planning a reunion for all former members on May 18.