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MVFD Looking For A Few Good Men And Women

photo by Mike Cameron

Tuesday April 20, 2010

By Mike Cameron

    Wanted: People who are willing to run into a burning building when everyone else is running out to get away from the fire.  People who are willing to put personal discipline above personal preference.  People who enjoy helping others in their community.  If this rings a bell for you.  Middlebury Fire Chief Richard Cole is a man that you might want to have a cup of coffee with.

    Cole heads up one of the most productive and efficient volunteer fire departments in the business and like in all businesses, Cole as the head of his organization, is always looking for new talent to train.

    As requirements would have it, currently 200 hours of training is the basic rule-of-thumb to become a qualified fire-fighter in this day and age.  “At one time it was 45-hours,” Cole explained during a recent conversation about the future of the local department and his role in it.  “ Right now, we need to fill the position of Dispatcher and that is a primary concern.  Ron was a fantastic person and a terrific dispatcher for us.  He did a great job.”  Cole was referring to the late Ronald  A. Selleck who passed away recently after a severe attack of pancreatitis.  Cole remembered his fellow firefighter and friend as a devoted family man, socially skilled citizen and life-long fire service advocate.  Selleck was also remembered as a calm and gentle man who was an excellent communicator.  These qualities made Ron a top notch dispatcher for MVFD.

    “Replacing Ron is going to be difficult but we have begun the process,” Cole explained.  We are looking for an individual who would be willing to learn the position and be available to dispatch for us  within the context of what is required for training.  The person, man or woman does not have to be a firefighter and we are in the position to be able to provide the required training within the department.
It could be an excellent fit for a retired or semi-retired individual who would be willing to make a commitment,” Cole explained further.  

    The role of dispatcher is a key position in any volunteer fire department.  Co-ordinating a response to the fire scene with the right equipment and personnel to the right address, following the right route is vital for a successful outcome.

    The Chief went on to assess the future of the department's fire fighter compliment and addressed the issue of  continuing“new blood” in the department.  “This is an issue we have to deal with on a continuing basis.  Bringing in new firefighters can be a challenge as well.  First is the candidates willingness to make a commitment and the fact that 200 hours of training and classes are important and required for the overall success and safety of not only the new person but the people that he or she will be working with during the learning process.

    Cole is quick to point out that everyone in the department can benefit from a new firefighter who has  completed their training and is fully certified.  “They can bring a new energy to the department and they also can learn from those of us who have been around for a while.  Its a give and take situation.
We can all take away something good from the experience.”

    Nationally, and Middlebury is no exception, most volunteer departments are trending upwards as far as median age in concerned.  Like any organization that deals with life and death issues involving public safety there are limits as to what firefighters can do and  what they should be allowed to do as they age.  Not everyone in a given department can or should be running into or climbing on top of burning structures indefinitely as their career progresses.  There is sill plenty of work to be done without actual contact with the fire.

Adding to the departments roster with quality, dedicated volunteers is the backbone of the system and as Cole knows only too well it is an annual on-going process.

    Middlebury is fortunate to be able to call on the services of trainers like Tom Esty.  The well respected Vermont State Fire Instructor has graduated scores of men and women into the fire service in our area.  “Cole along with other firefighters and line officers in the Vermont Fire Service realize that as the process of fighting fires has become more complex and challenging, the education involved to train some one to fight today's fires has to be equal to the task.  Lives saved and property saved hangs in the balance.  Well after the first 200 hours or when a firefighters first ten years of service plaque is hanging in his or her den, one word will always be his or her guide word...training, training training.  Fire fighters fight fires and they train to fight fires, that's what they do.  It usually happens on a moments notice.

   If you are interested in either the Dispatcher or Firefighter positions you are encouraged to call Middlebury Chief Richard Cole at 989-3334 or MVFD Membership Chairman Mike Mayone at 388-7401 to schedule an interview and learn more.  The Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department is an equal opportunity organization.     

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