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”