CHESHIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT

QUARTERLY WRITEUP
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2023

By Firefighter Mark Kasinskas, Life Member

The Cheshire Fire Department proudly provided fire and rescue services to the Cheshire community during July through September - the third quarter of 2023. In addition to numerous emergency responses, CFD members participated in comprehensive training, performed equipment upkeep and administrative duties, and cooperated in community events and fire safety outreach efforts throughout the town.

The CFD was dispatched and responded to 285 calls for help (89 in July, 90 in August, and 106 in September). This total included calls of many types, including vehicle and other rescue calls, vehicle fires, assistance at motor vehicle accidents, water conditions, brush fires, fire and carbon monoxide alarms, and mutual aid coverage to surrounding towns’ fire departments.

Training topics over the past three months have included: hose line advancement and engine company operations, vehicle rescue/extrication, and low-angle rope rescue (using new rope rescue equipment purchased by the CFD). A live burn training session was held at the Wolcott Fire School in September.

The CFD is in the final stages of placing a new off-road utility vehicle (“UTV”) into service, to assist with emergency access to areas within town that are not easily accessible by other larger vehicles and fire apparatus. Potential uses include, at least, brush/woodland fires, rescue of injured persons along remote hiking trails, and improved access along the Farmington Canal Greenway. The 6-wheel-drive vehicle has been equipped and will be stationed at Fire Headquarters. CFD personnel are currently completing training on this new piece of equipment.

Membership
• During the July-September quarter, the CFD received two new applicants for Regular membership, one Junior member moved to Recruit status, and one new Junior member joined.
• Firefighter Matthew Schmidt was elected as a Lieutenant to fill a vacant position.
• An officer swearing-in ceremony was held at Fire Headquarters in July.

Other Activities
• A contingent of CFD members travelled to Bath, Maine in July to attend the christening ceremony for the USS Harvey C. Barnum; Barnum is an Honorary Chief of the CFD.
• The CFD’s 1913 Ford Model “T’ won several trophies during this year’s fire parade season, including Best Antique Motorized Apparatus at the State Convention in Thomaston.
• The CFD members made a donation of food and water to the Londonderry (New Hampshire) Fire Department after flash flooding impacted northern New Hampshire and Vermont.
• Several CFD members assisted at the Cheshire Fall Festival and fireworks, and members have been busy with fire safety visits at numerous schools, daycares, and camps throughout town.

The Cheshire Fire Department recommends that all town residents participate in the Code Red notification system to receive local emergency notifications for the Cheshire community. This system is used to alert Code Red Signup is available either at the CFD website homepage (www.cheshirefd.org) or on the Town of Cheshire website (www.cheshirect.org – see Emergency Notification System under “Services”)

When Daylight Savings ends, the CFD recommends checking/testing all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replacing their batteries to ensure proper functioning in case of an emergency. These detectors and alarms can save lives.

Postings about Cheshire Fire Department activities can be found on the CFD’s website (www.cheshirefd.org), Facebook page (“Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department”), and Instagram (cheshirect.fd).