The Essence of Christmas

Sunday,December 19,2010 - Picture taken by Rob Goodell
Yesterday, the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company carried out their Annual Santa Run.

February 19th of this year when the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $161,650 for personal protective equipment

Just as many smaller fire protection organizations across the country, Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company (CVFC) has always struggled with keeping their head above water when it comes to equipment upgrades for its 35 member company. While never compromising on the safety of their personnel, new personal protective equipment has always been a piecemeal purchase of what was needed versus what was wanted.

That all changed on February 19th of this year when the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $161,650 for personal protective equipment via a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).

With this grant the Fire Company solicited bids for 30 complete sets of new turn-out gear and fifteen (15) Scott 75 SCBA along with two (2) "RIT" packs.

Purchased from Bergeron Protective Equipment of Epsom, NH, each member of the company has been able to upgrade to cutting edge PPE including personalized G-Xtreme coats and pants, Titan Gloves, Globe Boots, Stanfield Hoods, Cairns Helmets, Survivor LED flashlights and an American Firewear bag to keep it all in.

Additionally from Fire Tech & Safety of Springfield, MA, the fire company has been able to upgrade their complete inventory of SCBAs to Scott 4500s which increases the commonality between CVFC and surrounding mutual aid departments..

Purchased separately the company has even been able to procure a mobile 4500psi air supply booster system enabling them to fill not only their own bottles but those of surrounding mutual aid departments.

According to Chief Carlyle “Chip” Chesbro, “Not only is this grant important from the safety side of fire fighting but it also brought with it a feeling of comradery with all the fire fighters feeling apart of something special. In the history of the fire company it was impossible to purchase this many sets of gear and SCBA at once, so everyone always had NFPA approved gear but not always the same gear and with this grant we were able to bring unity to the fire company”

Hot Stuff

All photo's taken by Rob Godell
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town's two Girls Scout Troops, 40127 and 40557, completed their requirements for first aid and "Hot Stuff" badges recently with the help of Fire Chief Carlyle C. "Chip" Chesbro Jr. and his daughter, firefighter and emergency medical technician Krystal Chesbro.

Application Period for National Fire Academy Opens April 15

The application period for the first semester of FY2011 at the National Fire Academy (NFA) will be open from April 15 to June 15. NFA courses and course-materials are free, and transportation and lodging for students who represent career or volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, or state/local governments attending on-campus courses are currently provided as part of funding under the student stipend reimbursement program. The first semester includes classes that begin October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. Learn more and apply at www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa.

Short Range Fire Weather:

FOR IMMEDIATE CIRCULATION:

DISCUSSION...
THERE IS AN ELEVATED RISK FOR FIRE SPREAD ACROSS MOST OF MASSACHUSETTS
THIS AFTERNOON AND THROUGH WEDNESDAY. MINIMUM AFTERNOON RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES WILL DROP TO BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT COMBINED WITH POTENTIAL
DRY SOUTHERLY WIND GUSTS TO 25 MPH. THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE VERY LOW
FUEL MOISTURES IN ALL DEAD OR DORMANT LIGHT SURFACE FUELS AND RESULT IN AN
ELEVATED RISK OF ACTIVE AND/OR DANGEROUS FIRE BEHAVIOR.

EASTERN FRANKLIN, HAMPSHIRE, HAMDEN COUNTIES COULD SEE RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES DROP BELOW 20% DURING THE AFTERNOON PERIODS CAUSING RAPID
DRYING IN LIGHT SURFACE FUELS AND LEADING TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS
FIRE BEHAVIOR.


OUTLOOK...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...

DRY AND UNSEASONABLY WARM WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY. THE
HIGHEST TEMPERATURES WILL GENERALLY BE IN THE INTERIOR WITH COOLER
TEMPERATURES ALONG THE IMMEDIATE SOUTH COAST. THE HIGHEST CONCERN
FOR FIRE SPREAD WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY WHEN HIGHS REACH INTO THE 80S
AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH ARE FORECAST. MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
WILL DROP BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT. INCREASING CHANCES OF RAIN
FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND.