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Celebrating the Local Fire Departments of Addison County

photo provided Founded in 1961, the Addison Fire Department continues a proud tradition of protecting and serving the community, with 102 calls in 2011.

photo by Retired Fire Chief Mark Bouvier Bristol Fire Department 4th of July 2011

photo by Dave Bowles Devoted to service and the people, Ferrisburgh Fire Department continues a proud tradition of excellence and service.

Tuesday January 31, 2012

By Cookie Steponaitis

  Just the other day one local old timer was heard at the local corner store to say, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” In the case of our local firefighters and fire departments, the level of commitment, dedication and caring has always been a given, but the training, equipment and procedures have changed through the years. As the Valley Voice celebrates our local fire departments, examine the history, continuity and change that is a part of the fabric of life in Addison County, you are invited along to read the results of a Question and Answer session involving Vergennes, Bristol, and Ferrisburgh Fire Departments. The Valley Voice would like to gratefully acknowledge the help of Fire Department members Brad Clark, Mike Donnelly, Brett LaRose, Mike Collette and others for their input and information for these articles.

Addison Fire Department

    There was much interest in a fire department for the town of Addison even prior to the first meeting of the Addison Fire Department which was held February 16, 1961.  A Ford pumper had been purchased even before the meeting was held.  The founding members were Howard "Buster" Grant, Elwin Grant, Gerald Mulliss, Warren VanOrnum, Art Nutall, Marcel Dubois, Henry Stagg, Theron Benedict, Richard Bissonette, William Blacklock, Alfred Briggs, Henry Briggs, Maxwell Carr, Archie Clark, Marc Cote, Ernest Dyke, George Dubois, Norman Easter, Charles Phillips, Wilbur Pratt, Gordon Rice, Louis Rivers, William Roberts, George Rose, and Yvon Tetreault.  Warren VanOrnum was the First Chief.  He had belonged to the Ferrisburgh Fire Department before coming to Addison, so he had the most experience.  Warren continued to be active in the department until his unexpected death in November 1993.

    Of the original members, only Buster Grant is still active and was just recognized for his 50 years of service to the AFD.  He was also the first treasurer, a position he held for 34 years and has been the treasurer for the Addison County Firefighter Association for 40 years.

    We have had over 200 members come and go in the department.  Our current 44 members have an average of 17.5 years of service and spans commitments ranging from 50 years to those who just started two weeks ago. AFD is pleased to report that this is the largest number of members the department has ever had.

    Under the leadership of Chief Chris Mulliss, 33 years; First Assistant Chief Todd Reed, 33 years; Second Assistant Chief Randy Stearns, 20 years; Captain Bruce Putnam, 16 years; and Captain Chris Reed, 11 years, the AFD firefighters completed over 1040 hours of training in 2011, including specialized courses involving Hazardous Materials, First Aid, CPR, Incident Command, SCBA, fire alarms and all facets of new training and technology. Connected to the town by their commitment and their budget, AFD member and secretary Brad Clark commented, “We do get an annual allotment from the town which meets a majority of our operating expenses.  We are also humbled by the outpouring of support from townspeople to our annual fundraising letter.  We are VERY thankful for their great response to this effort.”

     In addition to the major changes in training and technology, AFD has gone through an evolution in the services it provides. “Through the years our responses have changed from responding to "just" fires, to also responding to car accidents, water rescue. ice rescue, carbon monoxide detector activations, plane crashes and many other emergencies,” shared AFD member Brad Clark. “Valley Voice readers might be surprised to know that we own a water rescue boat that is ready to respond to water emergencies on Lake Champlain from April to November. As a department our goal is to stay ready to respond to whatever emergency that we may be called to through training and planning and to always do our best to make the situation better and not become part of the problem. We had the highest number of calls for the department in 2011, with 102 calls.” In comparison, in 1961 the department responded to three chimney fires and one large fire.  

    While each department has their own strong traditions and levels of commitment, each of the groups was quick to point out the partnership they all share in their mission to protect the people of Addison County. “Since 1962, we have been a member department of the Addison County Firefighters Association, a mutual aid association made up of 17 other fire departments that we can call on for assistance for any incident, or they may call us to assist them,” shared AFD member Clark. And just before he concluded the interview, he sent a message out to the community inviting them all to come eat, talk and share with the departments the tradition of pancake breakfasts. “We have been holding our pancake breakfasts for 18 years,” Clark shared with a grin. “We have them on the third Sunday of the cooler months of October, November, January, February, March and April.  Our next one will be February 19th.  We would love to see you there!”

Bristol Fire Department

     BFD was originally organized in 1893 and was named the N.H. Munsill Hose, Hook, & Ladder Company.  The name was given because of the generosity of the Rock Springs Water Company, of which Mr. Munsill was the Chief Stockholder.  A Hose Cart and 700 feet of hose were given as the first equipment and Mr. Munsill drew up the By-Laws for the Hose Company.  The original fire house which was donated by Mr. Munsill, was built in 1897 and is still used today. Continuing the partnership with the community that began so long ago, today’s Bristol department is led by officers: John Heffernan, Chief, Brett LaRose, 1st Assistant Chief (Currently in 5th year as 1st Asst. Chief.  Years of service 17), Darwin Kimball, 2nd Assistant Chief, Eric Forand, Captain, Kevin LaRose, Lieutenant, Justin Jackman, Emergency Maintenance Technician (Truck Captain), Jarrett Kimball, Apparatus Maintenance Assistant Technician (Truck Lieutenant), and Karen Moore, Clerk. While some members of the department boast 40 -60 years of service, the average length of service for the members is just over 20 years.  BFD department responds to approximately 110 calls annually, 20% of which are motor vehicle accidents. Heavy Rescue or vehicle extrication services began in Bristol in the early 1980’s, and was originally provided as well as funded by the Bristol Rescue Squad.  

    As time went on a few members of the Bristol Fire Department became certified in vehicle extrication to assist Bristol Rescue,” shared BFD Assistant Chief Brett LaRose.  “Due to the increase in EMS calls received by Bristol Rescue and members not having the time to keep extrication certification up to date, Bristol Rescue asked the Bristol Fire Department to take extrication services over.  About six years ago Bristol Rescue handed over all of its extrication equipment and vehicle to the fire department.  Since that time Bristol Fire Department has been able to update some of the extrication tools and most recently upgrade the 25 year old Heavy Rescue vehicle.  This was all made possible due to the fund raising efforts and donations received by the N.H. Munsill Hose, Hook, & Ladder Co. which is our private, non-profit fundraising arm of the department.”

    While the taxpayers of Bristol are extremely generous and supportive of the efforts of the Bristol Fire Department each year and have not only supported their budgets an the purchase of their two front line Fire Engines, the BFD officers felt that the Valley Voice readers would be surprised to know how many pieces of fire apparatus and essential equipment there are that are either partially or completely purchased through fundraising efforts and private donations. “Over the last twenty-five years the members have acquired between $300,000 and $350,000 worth of firefighting equipment, all made possible by community members supporting our fundraising efforts, countless donations and the incredibly hard work of the members of the department,” commented Assistant Chief LaRose. “In addition to the many pieces of equipment purchased by fundraising and private donation, the  building located directly behind the original fire station (Station #2) was erected in 1972 and 100% funded by the members of the department.”

     With all of the changes in technology and training, the job description of a volunteer fire fighter today is nowhere near their counterparts of over one hundred years ago. “Today firefighters can gain access to a structure, locate the fire and push it back to the area of origin oppose to attacking from the exterior of a structure and pushing the fire through the unburned portion of the building,” shared Assistant Chief LaRose. “This allows us to preserve more property.  Due to today’s building materials and household furnishings Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is essential for the safety of firefighters during fire suppression and overhaul of the structure when the air quality is potentially more dangerous. Vermont firefighters have access to the best training available.  Today’s training standards are set high to allow firefighters to prepare for and protect themselves against most any emergency incident or hazardous environment they may come in contact with. Today’s leaders have the responsibility of ensuring their firefighters they are properly trained in today’s fire service standards.

    Rooted in the strong traditions of commitment and dedication from the past, the Bristol Fire Department, like all of its Addison County counterparts continues to move into 2012 with an ever increasing amount of skills incorporating the use of technology in the saving of lives and a sense not only of their past, but their links to the people of the communities they work so hard to protect and serve.

Ferrisburgh Fire Department Can Count Generations of Service

    When FFD was started by Harris Yandow and several other men as a men’s club in 1941, the issue at hand was raising money for the war effort and performing civil patrol duties. From that practical and dedicated beginning has sprung a commitment to the people of Addison County that for some FFD members now into a fourth generation tradition.

    While the technology of firefighting continues to evolve and change daily, Ferrisburgh Fire Department still measures its most valuable resources in terms of people, training, equipment and commitment. “Communications has been one area of major change when it comes to technology,” shared FFD member Mike Donnelly. “ I remember as a youth that the siren would sound and all the firefighters would respond to the fire station in North Ferrisburgh  Hollow where the first firefighter had written on a big blackboard on the outside of the building where the fire or call was.  There was an emergency phone system that rang into 10 firefighter homes and whoever got to the station first rang the siren and then responded to the scene.”

    While the tools of and the science of firefighting are hardly recognizable from those in 1941, one common denominator shared by not only FFD, but the other surrounding departments as well is the longevity of and commitment of their members. While the members of FFD average between 15-20 years of service, FFD has two members with over fifty years of service and two with thirty-five years. Another hallmark of the department is the cadet program, which currently boasts ten dedicated cadets. “The cadets involvement has inspired many members to be more active as they enjoy sharing their experiences and helping to train them,” reflected Mike Donnelly. “Our current chief, Bill Wager, only the 5th chief in the history of the department, came from our first cadet program. He has been in the department for 35 years.” Under the current leadership of Chief Bill Wager, Deputy Chief Jon Soter, Assistant Chief Mike Coyle, Captain Ken Lemner, Captain Mike Chafee, Captain Peter McNichol and Lieutenant Adam Donnelly, FFD continues to expand its training and the areas of needs that it serves in Addison County.

    Some of the newest challenges that FFD has confronted have been the hazardous materials traveling the roads of Addison County and also those found in homes,  terrorist threats, high speed highways, rail service and even other possible scenarios that require the members of the FFD and others to train for a diverse assortment of problems.  “It is a huge commitment,” explained FFD member Mike Donnelly. “Our department requires 60% attendance at all department functions, as well as a minimum of 25 hours per year of training with an additional 5 hours for interior firefighters.  We average much more than that, but that is the minimum. In addition the fire department is now consulted on new developments in town as well as commercial ventures.” In addition to responding to whatever calls come in, and yes, they do occasionally get cats out of trees, FFD volunteered in Rochester and spent a great deal of time helping out after Hurricane Irene.

    In addition to the changing technologies of firefighting, the departments must also respond to life changes in the businesses of the region. With the declining numbers of family farms, they are accounting for less of the fire calls now and motor vehicle accidents have increased drastically in the past decades. In addition, FFD is very active in schools with fire safety programs and responding to needs of individuals around the community.  Like all of their counterparts, all of this is done on a volunteer basis and accounts annually for thousands of hours of training and time given freely by a group of people committed to serve others with pride.

    Always on the lookout for new members, FFD encourages those interested to see one of the department members or to come to one of the many community functions sponsored by the FFD.  “We are proud of our department, its tradition and the brotherhood that is a bond beyond description,” concluded Mike Donnelly. “Each and every member gives of themselves unselfishly and supports each other everyday in everything that we do.  We are professional in the job that we perform for our community.  Addison County boasts some of the best fire departments in the state, hands down.”

     The Valley Voice could not agree more and salutes not only Ferrisburgh Fire Department, but all the departments in the county that day in and day out, set the standard for professional training, dedication above and beyond to duty, and a willingness to help all who are in need. This county is indeed lucky that so many of these people call the Champlain Valley their home and work so hard to protect it and those who live here.
Vergennes Fire Department Continues a 211 Year Old Tradition of Service

 Originally formed in 1801, the official title did not become the Vergennes Volunteer Fire Department until January 3, 1876. Originally formed with thirty men under the name of the Otter Creek Hook and Ladder Company, the VFD continues to this day proudly serving Vergennes and linking with other departments in the county.

    When VFD historian Mike Collette joined the department in May, 1961, the world of firefighting had changed little from its early origins. However, during his time with the department he has witnessed and been a part of a revolution in technology, training and protocols in fire fighting. “For example,” explained Mike Collette, “now they have SCBA’s (self contained breathing apparatus) as compared to the old Chem-ox type appliance that allows you to enter a burning building for a longer period of time and are much safer. In addition, communications have been changed. The 911 system has been transformational for every living human being. We now have dispatch centers for quicker response times in any emergency. Also new are portable and mobile radios with higher wattage to allow you to communicate better and faster with your department, county or state.”

    With an average of 14.4 years of service in the department, the current VFD under the leadership of Chief James Breur, Deputy Chief Chris Gebo and Captains Dave DiBiase, Matt Fraley, Matt Crowley and Chris Dion, continue to constantly train and upgrade their skills in an ever changing world of firefighting. Vergennes was also the first department in the state to offer a cadet program and began training younger members in the early 1980’s. Some cadets have even gone on to become professional firefighters as their lifetime career.

    With 35% of their calls being related to motor vehicle accidents, Heavy Rescue Operations has grown from the old army truck they started with in 1978, complete with a civil defense generator and a homemade set of Jaws of Life, now replaced with new equipment the department has on board to fight fires and rescue people. “We have bigger and better pumpers and tankers which can pump from 1000 gpm up to 1750 gpm as well as mini pumpers carrying 4” and 5” LDH diameter hose. The department also has a pre-piped 75’ aerial piece, cold water rescue teams, and thermal imaging cameras, video cameras, gas detection meters, smoke alarms, CO meters and compressed air foam systems”,( with the county) commented Mike Collette.

    Directly corresponding to the advances in technology was a decision in 1958 by then Chief Ralph Jackman and Mayor Willard Adams to create serious training programs for members of VFD. New York State instructor Earl Robbins from Fort Ann was hired and the training began in earnest for Bristol, Middlebury and Vergennes. Required training hours then were 45 and are now 209 hours annually. Simultaneously, the Vergennes Panton Water District was formed in 1963 and as a result good working hydrants were established. Safety protocols were introduced into the schools and firefighters continue to undergo training and recertification annually.

    Connecting all of these marvelous historical events and technological advances are the three simple words emblazoned on the wall of the station, “Loyal to Duty,” a motto of the VFD and a credo that all who volunteer their life as a way of life. As it was in 1961 and probably even 1801, there is a fellowship and a set of beliefs that are the underpinning of firefighters in Vermont and around the nation. Those beliefs were echoed by Mike Collette, “I have been in the VFD for over 50 years. It has been a wonderful experience for myself and my family of the do’s and don’ts and the wonder whys. The tales of the centuries have a story to tell. Some have been forgotten and others learned well. Good luck for the future for all my fellow firefighters.”

   Stay tuned in next week’s Voice for Middlebury Fire Department.

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