Canal Street Fire
Reports of explosion and big fire on Canal Street. Internet out for many. Firefighters on scene.
Police & Fire
Police and Fire section
Brattleboro Fire Chief Leonard Howard to Retire on Dec. 31
The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the retirement of Fire Chief Leonard Howard III, whose dedication to the Brattleboro Fire Department and the community it serves extends back to the 1980s. Chief Howard’s retirement becomes effective on Dec. 31, 2024.
“I’m proud to be in the fire service. It’s been the best job in the world,” said Chief Howard. “I’ve enjoyed helping people, and seeing my staff progress and be successful. I think they’re in a good place, and they have a good future ahead of them.”
Chief Howard joined the Brattleboro Fire Department in 1987 as a member of its call staff, a role in which he served for a decade. When he joined, Howard was among about 30 volunteers who helped support career firefighters during major events. Starting in 1988, days after graduating high school, Howard took a job at the Brattleboro Public Works’ Utilities Division.
Brattleboro Fire at 117-119 Main Street
Crews were dispatched to 117-119 Main Street for fire alarm activation Monday, September 23 at 14:34 hours. Crews arrived on the scene at 14:37 to report nothing showing from the front of a four-story building. Captain Kurt Schmidt advised that there was a sprinkler flow in the building and that there was a smoke condition on the third floor, and requested the incident be upgraded to a first alarm. At 14:45, crews advised there was a fire in an apartment on the fourth floor. The sprinkler did hold the fire to that apartment.
Citizens Police Communications Committee ( CPCC ) Meeting Agenda Sept 25
Agenda
1. Call to Order and Review Minutes from June 26th 2024 and approve and go over Roberts Rules briefly. https://www.brattleborotv.org/brattleboro-rtm-steering-committee/roberts-rules-training-31422/
2. Discuss Complaints and Compliments from June 26th 2024 meeting any additional questions from last months review of Complaints and Compliments to determine final or continued decisions.
3. Go over any New Complaints and Compliments from BPD.
Carriage Hill Fire
Central Station and Station Two were dispatched at 18:55 hours on a first alarm to 166 Carriage Hill for a reported structure fire, caller reported smoke coming from the vents in the roof. Engine One arrived on the scene at 18:59 hours, LT. Chris Fellows reported moderate smoke showing from a split-level ranch and requested that a second alarm be dispatched.
Crews confirmed all occupants were accounted for; neighbors advised that they believed no one was home. Engine 1 crew stretched a hose line made entry performed a primary search and then began a fire attack. The fire was in the kitchen and the crew made an aggressive attack on the main body of the fire. As other crews arrived, a secondary search was performed, as well as checking for fire extension in the rest of the home.
Brattleboro Police Department Rabies Clinic on March 16, 2024
The Brattleboro Police Department’s Animal Control Officer will be holding a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Brattleboro Police Station located at 62 Black Mountain Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Registration is not required for this event. This event is open for Brattleboro residents and non-Brattleboro residents.
In addition to the rabies clinic, there will be a variety of services available, including: Rabies Clinic: The rabies clinic is for cats and dogs. The rabies vaccine costs $15 per animal and will be a cash-only service. The rabies vaccine will be the only vaccine available during this clinic.
Clark Street Fire Details
Crews from both stations were dispatched at 16:51 to 75 Clark Street for a report of smoke on the third floor and attic area. While crews were responding, dispatch received a second call advising there was a subject on the 3rd floor. Assistant Chief Charles Keir, along with Engine 2, arrived on the scene. AC Keir reported a 2 1/2-story multi-family wood frame building with light smoke showing from the front. Engine 2’s crew made their way to the third floor to report they had located a victim and were on their way out with the victim.
Crews reported there was still an active fire in the apartment. Golden Cross/BFD ambulance personnel transported the patient with significant burns to the arms, hands, and airway to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. A second and third alarm was requested for additional personnel as well as taking into consideration the longer response time due to weather conditions.
Fire at 1178 Western Ave
Central Station and Station 2 were dispatched at 23:28 on a first alarm to 1178 Western Ave. for smoke on the second floor. Ladder 1 arrived on the scene at 23:32 and FF Chase Ibey reported heavy smoke showing from the second floor of a two-story wood framed structure and requested that a second alarm be dispatched. Ladder 1’s crew stretched a hose line to the second floor to encounter a heavy smoke condition and located the fire in the kitchen/living room area. Engine 2 arrived on the scene and assisted with water supply,fire suppression and ventilation. The fire was reported under control at 00:01.
VT Regional Emergency Medical Services Coordination Study
The “Big Bill,” also known as the state’s funding bill, directed the VT Department of Health to conduct a study on coordinating local and regional emergency medical services. They have hired Emergency Management Matters out of New York to assist in the study that considers:
• Issues related to costs of service, cost effectiveness of various current service models, and cost-effective alternative service models;
• Existing funding models and identify long-term sustainable funding strategies;
• Challenges and opportunities related to local and regional emergency response coordination; and
• EMS district structure, authority, duties, and the number of districts.
About The Meeting to Reveal Brattleboro EMS Issues
Last week, the Brattleboro Selectboard voted to reveal the major issues with Rescue that board members have known about but have not shared with the public. At the time, Chair Ian Goodnow said “It will be a meeting prior to our decision with ample time for public participation,” and “We’ll have a new schedule with plenty of notice for everyone.”
The public meeting to tell the full story from Brattleboro’s point of view took place in the middle of Tuesday’s EMS Public Forum, in comments made by HR Director Sally Nix.
Brattleboro Storm Damage
Early this evening a thunder storm came through Brattleboro, with heavy rains, lighting and wind. The storm affected the Western Ave corridor and Maple Street corridor. The damage consists of trees and power lines down, and minor road damage. The Green Mountain Power South Substation is currrently down. This affects power to residents on Canal Street, Fairview Street, Maple Street to Western Ave and West Brattleboro, this is affecting 2600 residents. Green Mountain Power has crews working on the issue along with replacing a broken utility pole on Maple Street.
Special Brattleboro Select Board Meetings – EMS
The two recent special meetings, held in executive session, were, as many have speculated, to discuss the EMS situation. Both were held without Brat FD members present.
BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:15PM
Brattleboro Firefighter Departures
If you missed the recent article , “Brattleboro faces blaze of firefighter departures amid town EMS takeover debate,” here is the link:
https://vtdigger.org/2023/07/24/brattleboro-faces-blaze-of-firefighter-departures-amid-town-ems-takeover-debate/
The takeaway quote, I believe, is: “ …since … June of last year, 16 staffers have departed. Of the latter firefighters who quit, five had worked multiple years before leaving, while 11 had been hired just days, weeks or months before their departures ….”
Citizens Police Communications Committee ( CPCC ) Meeting Agenda
1.) Call to Order and Review Minutes from June 28th meeting and approve.
2.)Discuss Complaints and Compliments from June 28th 2023 meeting any additional questions from last months review of Complaints and Compliments to determine final or continued decisions.
3.) Go over any New Complaints and Compliments from BPD.
Canal Street Fire
On July 10, 2023, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched on a first alarm assignment at 14:40 to 198 Canal Street for a report of a building fire. The first arriving units (Engine Two, Ladder 1, Car 2, and Ambulance 1) arrived on the scene at 14:43. Car Two reported a 2-story wood frame building with smoke showing from the “bravo” side. Crews from Engine Two and Ladder One entered the building with two (2) hand lines to extinguish the fire. A second alarm assignment was initiated for additional units and manpower to the scene to assist at 14:45.
Fire attack crews were able to locate and extinguish a fire on the first floor, second floor, and attic space. As additional crews arrived, a search of the building for occupants was completed. The one occupant (and dog) were located outside the building with no injuries.
Brattleboro Fire Department – Excessive Rain in July
During the week of July 3rd, the Town of Brattleboro began to receive information regarding multiple strong storm cells entering Vermont during the weekend. Further information collected from the Vermont Emergency Management and information from the National Weather Service indicated a strong possibility for localized flooding throughout the State of Vermont with a heightened focus on counties north of Windham County for the evening hours of July 9, 2023, through July 11, 2023.
The Town of Brattleboro began to prepare for an emergency response to these weather conditions with a strong focus on the Brattleboro Fire Department and Department of Public Works to marginalize any water-related events.
The Town of Brattleboro has been very fortunate compared to some of our neighboring communities in both Vermont and New Hampshire. Currently, the following roads have been impacted the most by the weather conditions:
– Mountain Home Trailer Park (Tri-Park)
– Ames Hill
– Marlboro Road
– George F. Miller Drive
Brattleboro Citizens Police Communications Committee Meeting Agenda
The Brattleboro Citizens Police Communications Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 5:00pm at the Brooks Memorial Library.
Ice Condition at the Retreat Meadows
The Brattleboro Fire Department is advising you to stay off the ice on the Retreat Meadows for the Last Night Celebration and Fireworks display on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
The ice thickness at the Retreat Meadows on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, ranged between 3 to 4 inches with extremely thin ice along the edges and westerly portion of the Meadows. The National Weather Service of Albany has advised that daytime temperatures starting Thursday will be in the mid-forties for the next several days and at night the temperature is going to stay above freezing.
Brattleboro Fire Department Warns Incoming Potential of Inclement Weather
The weather forecast for Thursday night into Saturday morning is for our area to potentially receive 2-3 inches of rain along with southwest winds from 20-30 miles per hour(mph) and gusts 60 to 70 mph. At the conclusion of this weather event, temperatures are expected to drop into the low teens.
The Brattleboro Fire Department and Department of Public Works are monitoring the weather closely and preparing for fallen trees, downed wires, extended power outages, streams to rise out of their banks, and icing on roadways.
Brattleboro EMS Feasibility Report Available
The AP Triton EMS Feasibility Report is available:
https://www.brattleboro.org/vertical/Sites/%7BFABA8FB3-EBD9-4E2C-91F9-C74DE6CECDFD%7D/uploads/Brattleboro_FD_EMS_Study_(FINAL).pdf
As expected it presents four options for possible EMS services going forth:
