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A Building To Last 100 Years

photo by Mark Bouvier Built to stand the test of time, the new Bristol Fire Department is the fruition of the work of many people and the town for the last decade.

photo by provided Seeped in the traditions of the past, the firefighters of Bristol today blend the best of the new fire methods with the values that have made Bristol Fire Department a vital part of the community for so long. Chief Brett LaRose operates with an open door policy and invites the community to stop in if you see the lights on and the doors open. A formal Open House will happen later this year.

Tuesday July 26, 2016

Standing in the apparatus bays of the newly opened Bristol Fire Station, Chief Brett LaRose has to stop and pause to realize what has come to fruition. What began as a Fire Department Committee exploration in 2002 under the leadership of then Chief Mark Bouvier and Assistant Chief Peter Coffey, involving many phases of committees, planning, budgets, community presentations and two votes has become a reality in 2016. With feasibility studies and a goal of continuing the proud tradition of serving the community, Fire Department personnel operated out of the 1897 Fire Station until in October 2014 when the apparatus bay floor buckled. Following a structural analysis by an engineering firm the fire station was determined not to be safe and could no longer be used for its primary purpose. The trucks were moved out and the second floor closed off. All that was remaining was a 200 square foot space on the first floor for administrative duties and use of water for disinfection purposes. The department was then forced to lease garage space on Fitch Avenue and hold meetings and training seminars at the American Legion Post utilizing a total of four buildings to meet the needs of the community for nearly two years.     Today’s new building is state of the art energy efficient and has been built “to last 100 years,” said LaRose. With great thanks to the taxpayers of Bristol and community members who also worked so hard and long to help the fire station become a reality, the new building was moved into on July 2, 2016 and open for business.  Saddening the transition was the unexpected death of long time veteran firefighter Darwin Kimball just as the July 4th parade and moving of the equipment was to commence. While the move was a success, there is still a lingering sadness and loss of a member and friend gone too soon.     Chief LaRose operates with an open door policy and invites the community to stop by if you see the lights on and doors open and not wait until the official open house later this fall. Bristol’s firefighters are dedicated professionals who on average have twenty years or more of service to BFD. Each probationary firefighter is required to complete the Vermont Fire Service Training Council Firefighter-I program meeting national standards for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications and Certification.This 200 hour course is delivered by the Vermont Fire Academy.     Bristol Fire Department responds to an average of 130-140 calls a year and continues to grow and evolve as does the science of the profession. Our mission in the fire service continues to be the protection of Life, Property, and the Environment. A new building grounded in age old traditions of service above self and being there when you need them, Bristol Fire Department happily moves into their new building and one that will stand proudly for 100 years or more of those who serve under its roof.

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