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Stevens Hose Company Serves A Vital Role In The Success Of The Vergennes Fire Department

photo by provided Joined in history and in purpose, the Vergennes Fire Department and the Steven's Hose Company both serve the community and help fire fighters keep up to date with equipment, devices and special projects.

photo by provided Members of the early hose companies trained hard in preparation for fires and used the newest technology of the time to keep from loosing lives.

photo by provided Steven's Hose Company President Kevin Charbonneau and Vergennes Fire Department Historian Mike Collette share a commitment and a passion for restoring the 1925 Boyer shown here with former VFD FIre Chief Ralph Jackman at the wheel. This is only one of the projects that Steven's Hose Company does to improve the safety and abilities of the VFD members.

photo by provided These are some of the life saving tools that the Steven's Hose Company has raised the funds for and purchased for the VFD. People wanting to make donations should write their checks to the Steven's Hose Company and mail it to the address in the article.

Tuesday March 15, 2016

By Cookie Steponaitis

While history shows the official birthday of the Vergennes Volunteer Fire Department as January 3, 1876, it also records the presence of the Otter Creek Hook and Ladder Company and others in town that were established to handle the emergency needs of the town. With five positions including City Hall, Stevens House, two at the Shade Roller Factory and one at Cota’s Factory on the other side of the bridge, these hook and ladder companies were the first line of defense for the city if fire broke out. In fact the records of the Court of Common Council for the City of Vergennes, dated April 9, 1878, include  “ An Ordinance for the Prevention and Extinguishment of Fires”, in which the firemen’s pay for the year was set at $ 6.00.  Like their modern counterparts, these men were dedicated and had to face many fires, even in the early years. Fires in 1879, 1880 and 1883 occurred in the factories lining the top of the Otter Creek Falls and while some were minor, some were total losses.  One of the first major pieces of equipment purchased by the department was the Hunneman SN 323 on September 1, 1847. Purchased by the Otter Creek Hook & Ladder Company, it was the best piece of apparatus of its time and gave the firemen a valuable tool to battle the blazes with. History records not only the names of these early firemen, but the proud traditions established around order, precision and dedication to the town and people. As Vergennes grew, records document the drills of these groups including coupling the hoses, directing the streams of water and setting up long ladders earned many trophies and recognition for the men and their departments.
    As time went on the issue of getting the most water to the fires the quickest became the focus of the men and the equipment. The men of the Hose Companies became not only the volunteers at the fires, but some of the sources of income for planning and maintaining the equipment used to fight fires. Purchased in 1925, The Boyer was state of the art at its time and could pump 500 gallons a minute, compared to today’s 1500-1750 gallons a minute. Still owned by the members of the Stevens Hose Company, it is one of many projects that the group focuses on and fundraises for.
    What most people do not understand is that while the Vergennes Fire Department receives funding from the city, for which the firefighters are extremely grateful of, the members of the Fire Department are themselves members of the Stevens Hose Company, a 501c3 non-profit organization, chartered again in 2002 to support the growing needs and training programs of the fire fighters.  With huge fires in Vergennes in 1890, 1929, 1958 and 1969 the role of the fire fighter has continued to change and develop as the science of fighting fires has grown. Today’s firemen also handle emergency calls, mountain rescue, water rescue, car accidents and assist the community with most of their emergency moments.
    Stevens Hose Company raises money through the beloved Vergennes Day Pancake Breakfast, dances, raffles and through donations to purchase materials, products and items needed to support those who enter the fire service. With a mission statement of, “banding together for the purpose of supporting the fires service as voted on by the membership, “ this group has in the last few years purchased equipment including Jaws of Life, Combi tools, six dry suits for ice and water rescue and many other tools. The group has plans for a special project to restore to its original condition the 1925 Boyer that is the viable link between the firefighters of today and their earlier counterparts in the Little City. With a targeted budget of $ 75,000 for the restoration, the Stevens Hose Company will be actively fundraising over a period of time to reach this goal. People wishing to make donations to the Fire Department or if a loved one has passed away and wants donations to go to the department in lieu of flowers, it is important to send the funds made out to the Stevens Hose Company, PO Box 224, Vergennes, Vermont, 05491.
        Bonded in purpose and in celebration of their heritage, the firefighters of today are doing more than meeting the needs. They are continuing to improve the skills, tools, safety, and training of the men and women who respond to our times of emergency and need. Through their work and through the fundraising efforts of the Stevens Hose Company, it is possible to help procure necessary tools and items that the annual budget cannot simply address. “We are a 501c3 non-profit- “explained Vergennes Firefighter and President of Stevens Hose Company Kevin Charbonneau. “ We vote as members on which projects are necessary and where to direct any funds we raise.”  VFD Historian Mike Collette echoed Charbonneau’s sentiments and added, “This 1925 Boyer is more than a piece of equipment. It is a link for us. It joins past, present and future. It reminds us of where we have come and what we continue to strive for.”
    If perchance you see signs in the future for the Stevens Hose Company hosting an event, it is in fact the members of the Vergennes Fire Department celebrating their heritage in a powerful and vital way. Just as the Commodore Booster Club supports Vergennes  athletics, and parent groups support children’s programming, the Stevens Hose Company is a bridge from past to present, directing time, talent and money to improve the safety and heritage of fire fighters of all generations of the Little City.

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