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Vergennes Fire Department Honors Service And Community

photo by provided Both firefighter and historian, Mike Collette treasures the heritage of this long standing tradition of service.

photo by Emma Dion VFD Firefighter Les Champine celebrates 50 years of service.

photo by provided VFD Firefighter Matt Fraley shows the award he received for saving a life in a local fire.

Tuesday April 4, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

In virtually every town there is one tree that stands above the others. Aged and majestic, it marks the passing of seasons and pays tribute in its own stately way to the longevity of the community and the people who call it home. The tree with its deep roots and strong base is beloved by many, seen by all and taken for granted as a part of the fabric of life in the town while standing quietly and resolutely.
    There are also people and service organizations known for their strength, commitment and dedication dating back generations. Vergennes Fire Department (VFD) is one of the organizations that are the backbone of the community and only draw attention to their endless service to others when the alarm sounds and they are called out to save lives, property or assist in helping others in need.
    On Saturday, March 25th VFD gathered together and honored some of their own for levels of service that like the sentinel tree are far reaching in scope and duration. Mike Collette joined the fire department fifty-six years ago and continues to serve to this day. It was May 1, 1961 when Mike Collette formally joined VFD, but in reality he was a member since birth. Firefighting runs in the DNA of his family and he was simply following his grandfather and father and Collette’s children are generation three to serve. Collette remarked about growing up, “I always remember father taking us to the fire station which was behind City Hall and the Episcopal Church. We would help with the equipment and for special events. One annual tradition was washing the streets in preparation for the Memorial Day Parade. We would use the 1925 Boyer and connect the lines to the fire hydrant in front of what was Dr. Bottomini’s office at that time. We would all pull the hoses down the street and then wash the streets down.” Collette’s years of service are based on a love for the fire service and desire to protect life, property and people. Whether it is the good memories of the successes and camaraderie of the fire department or the times of sorrow and loss, Collette feels the Vergennes Fire Department has always been at the forefront of firefighting in Vermont. VFD had the first cadet program and Vermont’s first female firefighters, twin sisters Kathy and Chris Jackman and continues to honor the traditions of the past with the latest in training and continued commitment of generations. Mike Collette continues to be a valued member of the department to this day, sharing his knowledge of the history of the department and making sure that this knowledge and skills are passed on.
    Les Champine became a fireman in 1967 with the New Haven Fire Department as one of the Charter Members. Les served seventeen years there before moving to service with the Vergennes Fire Department. “I was recruited by Deputy Chief Ray Davison,” shared firefighter Champine. “Deputy Chief Davison made the Fire Service an important part of my life and it felt good being in the department and doing something special to help people around me.”  Champine was presented with a plaque honoring fifty years of service and surprised to see that so much time has passed. “It doesn’t seem like fifty years already,” shared Champine. “There have been good times and bad times to remember as well as the brother and sister firefighters.” When asked if he was looking forward to his 60th year of service, Champine grinned and remarked, “I will continue to help in any way I can but I think it is time for the young ones to step up. I hope that the younger generation will keep volunteering to help the Fire Service. It is a very important part of every community.”
    Fireman Matt Fraley was also honored for heroism at the meeting. Fraley started in the fall of 1986 when he was working with friend Chris Bushey on some equipment at Simmonds and Bushey was toned out for a fire call.  “When Bushey came back we were talking about the call and how he and Ray Davison were the only responders in town at that time,” reminisced Fraley. “Chris asked me if I would be interested in joining and I thought about it and said yes. It has been a way of life since. I do think people would be surprised at the amount of training we go through.” Fraley was surprised for being honored for saving a life in a recent local fire and humbled. “There was a lot of great firefighting at that fire scene.”
    Watching the proceedings were the youngest members of the department and some newcomers. VFD Chief Breur remarked he was delighted with the addition of four local young men from Northlands Job Corp who are learning through the cadet program, coming weekly to meetings, training and learning how to mix technique and service. “They are a dedicated bunch and we are happy to have them a part of our community programs. We are glad that Gavin Maldonado, Sharrad Holder, Lucas McGetchin and Jordan McGetchin are with us.” concluded Chief Breur. The Vergennes Fire Department and its counterparts in the area are a testimony to people and rooted in service above self to others and a family of people who continue to serve as half a century passes. Their service is a part of the fabric of life in the community and like the sentinel tree; one that creates bonds that are not severed by time.

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