Ryan Doyle Thanks Firefighters

After hosting a successful lemonade stand at the Ridgebury Fire House Sunday, Ryan Doyle, 8, had a hotdog and bacon with the Ridgefield Fire Department's D squad Monday on Catoonah street.

"You're officially part of our team," said Capt. Dave McDevitt, a paramedic, as he gave Doyle a summer fire department baseball cap and a winter cap.

Ryan's father, Jeff Doyle, could not thank the firefighters enough for all the times they came to the Doyle house to take Ryan to Danbury Hospital after one of his epileptic seizures. When his medical condition was at its worse, Ryan was having as many as 200 seizures a day.

Jeff Doyle said it took years of work, three hospitals, medicine, and a radical diet to get the seizures under control. They still happen, but they are less frequent and less sever than they were.

Jeff Doyle said he wants people to know how professional and competent the Ridgefield Fire Department is. He said people drive by the Ridgebury Fire House and they don't realize the talent and expertise that is on hand every day.

"Our house is always open to you. You're welcome to our family," Jeff Doyle told the firefighters.