Firehouse Dedication Honors Fallen Chief
By Mike Cameron
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On Sunday afternoon October 13th family, friends and fellow fighter fighters attended an open house and dedication ceremony at the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department Building in the village. They were there to remember the late Whiting Fire Chief Clarence Birchmore. The station will now bear his name.
Birchmore, a 35-year veteran of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department died on Saturday, March 16th, 2002 as he was responding to a fire call when he suffered a heart attack. His wife Charlotte (pictured) along with her sons Chris and Kevin and daughter Angela thanked those who attended the ceremony.
Chief Birchmore's death ultimately changed the way insurance companies cover volunteer firefighters thus giving volunteers the same consideration as paid professionals. Addison County State Senator Claire Ayre was one of the leading advocates of the “Birchmore Bill” recently passed by the Vermont Legislature granting Vermont's volunteer firefighters these rights. Clarence Birchmore was also very active in the Whiting Community outside the fire department. He was a town moderator and also served as a grand juror. The Chief was also a long time member of the Addison County Firefighters Association.