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ASHFORD
Volunteer Fire Department
Volunteer Fire Department
Proudly serving the citizens of Ashford since 1950!
Fire • EMS • Rescue
| P.O. Box 1 • Ashford, CT 06278 • (860) 429-9862 |
NEWS ARCHIVE 2007-2008
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AVFD Trains for Vehicle Extrications
August 26 - On Sunday, August 26, AVFD
firefighters participated in a vehicle extrication
exercise at the town's public works facility.
Motor vehicle accidents can trap occupants in
cars. Rapid and safe extrication is often
necessary to ensure the occupants get timely
medical treatment. The exercise was
designed to provide members with hands-on
experience in proper extrication techniques. It
was part of an ongoing effort to ensure that
department personnel are prepared when an
emergency strikes.
firefighters participated in a vehicle extrication
exercise at the town's public works facility.
Motor vehicle accidents can trap occupants in
cars. Rapid and safe extrication is often
necessary to ensure the occupants get timely
medical treatment. The exercise was
designed to provide members with hands-on
experience in proper extrication techniques. It
was part of an ongoing effort to ensure that
department personnel are prepared when an
emergency strikes.
OCTOBER 10 - On Wednesday, October 10, the AVFD, in
cooperation with the American Red Cross, sponsored a
blood drive at Station 20. The station was flooded with
people interested in donating. Every two seconds, someone
in the United States needs blood. Donations are the only
source of blood; there are no substitutes. The Red Cross
estimates that for every unit of blood donated, three lives are
saved. In total, the drive collected 35 units of blood. That
means, the effort saved 105 lives. Thank you to all those
people who literally gave of themselves for this important
cause.
cooperation with the American Red Cross, sponsored a
blood drive at Station 20. The station was flooded with
people interested in donating. Every two seconds, someone
in the United States needs blood. Donations are the only
source of blood; there are no substitutes. The Red Cross
estimates that for every unit of blood donated, three lives are
saved. In total, the drive collected 35 units of blood. That
means, the effort saved 105 lives. Thank you to all those
people who literally gave of themselves for this important
cause.
Blood Drive Saves 105 Lives
AVFD Hosts Fire Prevention Field Trip
OCTOBER 12 - On Friday, October 12, the AVFD hosted a field
trip of local preschool and kindergarten students to discuss
fire prevention and safety. The event was part of the
department's effort to promote Fire Prevention Week. In
addition to Friday's event, department members went to
Ashford School to discuss fire safety with students in grades 1
to 3. In addition, on Saturday, the department hosted a fire
prevention event at Station 20 for the residents of Ashford.
During all three days of activities, participants learned how the
department serves the residents during fire and medical
emergencies. They also received information on how they
can protect themselves and their property from a fire. For
further information about Fire Prevention Week, please visit its
official website. For more information about fire safety and
for other safety tips, visit the department's safety information
page.
trip of local preschool and kindergarten students to discuss
fire prevention and safety. The event was part of the
department's effort to promote Fire Prevention Week. In
addition to Friday's event, department members went to
Ashford School to discuss fire safety with students in grades 1
to 3. In addition, on Saturday, the department hosted a fire
prevention event at Station 20 for the residents of Ashford.
During all three days of activities, participants learned how the
department serves the residents during fire and medical
emergencies. They also received information on how they
can protect themselves and their property from a fire. For
further information about Fire Prevention Week, please visit its
official website. For more information about fire safety and
for other safety tips, visit the department's safety information
page.
Captain Tom Borgman demonstrates
the thermal imaging camera.
the thermal imaging camera.
November 15 - The AVFD's firehouse at the southern end of Lake
Chaffee, known as Station 220, has been undergoing significant
renovations. Originally constructed in the mid-1960s, the station
was in desperate need of cosmetic improvements, a new electrical
system, and modifications to make it more energy efficient. Among
other things, the station has received new siding, insulation,
lighting, doors and windows as well as a new heating system and
entry way. The entire project has been funded by donations,
reflecting the department's continuing effort to lighten the financial
burden it places on the taxpayers of Ashford. The AVFD hopes the
renovation will not only make the department more cost-effective to
operate and more comfortable for its members but also more
appealing to the residents of Lake Chaffee.
Chaffee, known as Station 220, has been undergoing significant
renovations. Originally constructed in the mid-1960s, the station
was in desperate need of cosmetic improvements, a new electrical
system, and modifications to make it more energy efficient. Among
other things, the station has received new siding, insulation,
lighting, doors and windows as well as a new heating system and
entry way. The entire project has been funded by donations,
reflecting the department's continuing effort to lighten the financial
burden it places on the taxpayers of Ashford. The AVFD hopes the
renovation will not only make the department more cost-effective to
operate and more comfortable for its members but also more
appealing to the residents of Lake Chaffee.
Station 220 Undergoes Renovation
An AVFD member participates in
the demolition of Station 220's
interior.
the demolition of Station 220's
interior.
AVFD Trains for Pediatric Emergencies
DECEMBER 8 - On Saturday, December 8, the AVFD
sponsored an 8-hour certification program in pediatric
medical emergencies. The event was offered in cooperation
with Hartford Hospital and the Connecticut Office of
Emergency Medical Services and was funded by a grant
from the federal government. In attendance were 14
members of the AVFD as well as several individuals from
the Mansfield Fire Department and the Ambulance Service of
Manchester. The program is particularly important to
Ashford, with its large population of children. In addition to
the school, Ashford is home to Paul Newman's Hole in the
Wall Gang Camp and the June Norcross Webster Scout
Reservation.
sponsored an 8-hour certification program in pediatric
medical emergencies. The event was offered in cooperation
with Hartford Hospital and the Connecticut Office of
Emergency Medical Services and was funded by a grant
from the federal government. In attendance were 14
members of the AVFD as well as several individuals from
the Mansfield Fire Department and the Ambulance Service of
Manchester. The program is particularly important to
Ashford, with its large population of children. In addition to
the school, Ashford is home to Paul Newman's Hole in the
Wall Gang Camp and the June Norcross Webster Scout
Reservation.
AVFD Graduates Seven From Academy
JANUARY 31 - This winter, seven members of the
AVFD completed training and exams at the
Eastern Connecticut Fire School in Willimantic.
Two members (Melissa Fletcher and David
Polsky) completed the entry-level firefighter
program. The other five (Amy-Lyn Arel, Tom
Borgman, Andy Rittner, Jeff Tatro, and Ray
Whitehouse) completed the Firefighter II course.
Firefighter certification courses are physically and
intellectually challenging and require a
tremendous time commitment. Students in both
programs must participate in approximately 128
hours of classroom and skills training. In
addition, to be certified, they have to pass practical
skills and written exams administered by the state.
AVFD completed training and exams at the
Eastern Connecticut Fire School in Willimantic.
Two members (Melissa Fletcher and David
Polsky) completed the entry-level firefighter
program. The other five (Amy-Lyn Arel, Tom
Borgman, Andy Rittner, Jeff Tatro, and Ray
Whitehouse) completed the Firefighter II course.
Firefighter certification courses are physically and
intellectually challenging and require a
tremendous time commitment. Students in both
programs must participate in approximately 128
hours of classroom and skills training. In
addition, to be certified, they have to pass practical
skills and written exams administered by the state.
Image of the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor
Locks, where AVFD academy students participated
in live fire training.
Locks, where AVFD academy students participated
in live fire training.
AVFD Searches Lake at UConn
FEBRUARY 23 - Early Saturday morning, the
Tolland County Dive Team, including several
members of the AVFD, searched Swan Lake at the
University of Connecticut campus for a possible
person under the ice. At about 7:30 a.m., campus
police noticed a hole in the ice about 30 to 40 feet
from shore and nearby footprints, prompting
concern that someone might have fallen in the
lake. The ice was only about 4 inches thick. No
bodies were found in the lake and the search
produced no indication that, in fact, anyone had
broken through the ice. For more information, go
here and here.
Tolland County Dive Team, including several
members of the AVFD, searched Swan Lake at the
University of Connecticut campus for a possible
person under the ice. At about 7:30 a.m., campus
police noticed a hole in the ice about 30 to 40 feet
from shore and nearby footprints, prompting
concern that someone might have fallen in the
lake. The ice was only about 4 inches thick. No
bodies were found in the lake and the search
produced no indication that, in fact, anyone had
broken through the ice. For more information, go
here and here.
Swan Lake, adjacent to the Chemistry Building at
UConn, in Spring.
UConn, in Spring.