Local Heroes - The Fire and Rescue Squad
Saint Michael's Fire Department
The Fire Unit was founded a few months after the Rescue Squad to protect the campus and nearby student housing in Fort Ethan Allen. A substation of the Colchester Center Volunteer Fire Company (CCVFC), the Fire Unit originally responded with the Winooski Fire Department and now provides fire protection to the Town of Colchester in addition to the college community. In 2002, the Fire Unit entered into an automatic mutual aid agreement with the City of Winooski to provide fire protection to their city as well. Service began in 1970 with a 1949 Ward LaFrance Fire Engine that had been retired from a fire department in New Jersey. This reconditioned engine served Saint Michael’s Fire Department for 15 years.
Currently, Saint Michael’s Fire Department operates a 2000 Emergency One 1250 GPM Pumper and a 1997 Chevrolet C3500 Crew Cab utility hose truck.
The engine (Engine 9) is equipped with brush fire, chimney fire, and structural fire equipment. It holds eight firefighters and 1000 gallons of water. It also contains water-supply equipment, spill-response supplies, and general fire-fighting tools such as a positive pressure fan, five custom air packs, spare bottles, hand tools, scene lighting, a generator for mobile lighting, an hydraulic ladder rack, (with extension, roof, and attic ladders) and medical first-response equipment.
The hose truck (Hose 11) is a modified fire apparatus. It seats five firefighters, three with custom air packs. It includes spare air bottles, water-supply equipment, spill-response supplies, and general fire-fighting tools. It also holds 1,000 feet of four-inch hose, a 1400-watt Honda generator for mobile lighting, and a 1000-watt inverter connected to two custom tripod lights for stationary scene lighting. Hose 11 allows firefighters to establish and maintain water supply and transport additional manpower to emergency scenes
Fire Training
Members of the Fire Department also need extensive and ongoing training to meet their responsibilities. In addition to being on call 24 hours a week, they must attend weekly training and practice drills to keep their skills up-to-date. Each member must complete a 25-hour apprentice course before becoming eligible to run calls. They then can enroll in Firefighter I, a firemanship course which is offered by the State of Vermont.
A student interested in joining Saint Michael’s Fire Department (SMFD) must first enroll in the Apprentice Course for potential firefighters. It gives them basic knowledge and skills necessary on the fireground. In addition to learning textbook skills, potential firefighters learn the mission and protocols of SMFD and Colchester Center Volunteer Fire Company (CCVFC), the location of equipment on the vehicles, and response areas. In order to successfully complete the three-month course, each member takes a written and practical examination.
After successfully completing the Apprentice Course, students can try out for SMFD. Department officers interview each candidate and review evaluations from the Apprentice Course to assess the candidate’s ability, commitment, and knowledge of firefighting and SMFD. Students accepted as members then have the option of completing Vermont Firefighter I, a course dedicated to teach firefighters in-depth concepts needed on the fireground. This four-month course holds most classes on Saturdays. Weekly training requirements are waived for probationary firefighters until completion of the Firefighter I course.
After completing a four month probationary period, firefighters are eligible for interior firefighting and are considered for full membership on the department. It takes about a year to gain fundamental skills needed to be a fully competent firefighter. In order to maintain their skills, SMFD trains twice a week: on Wednesday evenings with CCVFC and again on Sunday afternoons. SMFD also attends quarterly fire schools offered by the State of Vermont.
Each firefighter is encouraged to take classes in different fields of firefighting to gain exposure and understanding of the different specialties needed on the fire ground. Every spring a group of firefighters attend the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. During their enrollment in the Fire Academy, these students learn new advanced techniques and leadership skills essential to all firefighters.
Each firefighter is responsible for his or her partner, life, and property. It is critical for each member to understand their role on the fireground. During the weekly training sessions, each member has an opportunity to participate in different roles in order to develop a well-rounded perspective on the task needed on a fire ground in addition to doing the same with adjacent fire departments. The training schedule for the Fire Department is coordinated in accordance with State of Vermont policies. The First Lieutenant organizes training that covers areas such as hazardous materials, blood-borne pathogens, and basic firefighting tactics. These tactics consist of areas such as car fires, residential firefighting, and pre-planning mutual aid operations with neighboring agencies. Each firefighter receives and maintains certifications in areas such as liquid propane gas, hazardous materials operations, self-contained breathing apparatus, and the emergency medical service. These skills enhance their firefighting abilities and prepare them for almost any scenario they may encounter on the fireground.
In addition to their firefighting education, many of our student firefighters are also certified in emergency medicine. Their skill levels vary from First Responder/Emergency Care Attendant (ECA) to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Several firefighters also assist with our neonatal intensive care transport program.
