Police & Fire

Police and Fire section

Brattleboro Community Weather Preparedness Update

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We are closely monitoring the forecast and have already taken appropriate preparedness steps, including staffing readiness and coordination with partner agencies. Town of Brattleboro staff and emergency resources will remain on standby and in regular communication throughout the weekend to maintain a high level of preparedness. Partner agencies will also be conducting welfare checks as appropriate to support community health and safety.

Established notification and communication channels are in place and can be used immediately to activate additional resources should conditions or needs change.

Brattleboro Police Chief Norma Hardy Announces Retirement, Asst. Chief Jeremy Evans to Take Helm in March

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The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the retirement of Brattleboro Police Chief Norma Hardy. Hardy will step down from her role on March 30, 2026. Assistant Chief Jeremy Evans will succeed her as the new Police Chief, and Captain Adam Petlock will be promoted to Assistant Chief.

Hardy joined the Brattleboro Police Department in July 2021, stepping out of retirement to serve during a critical period when communities across the nation were examining ways to reform policing following the death of George Floyd. Hardy, who previously served 26 years with the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, believed her distinct background as a Black woman with extensive law enforcement experience would be an invaluable part of that conversation.

Akley Road Fire in Brattleboro

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At approximately 6:58 PM, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in a residence. Engine 1 was the first unit on the scene and confirmed that the structure was fully involved in fire, upgrading the incident to a second alarm.

The occupants were not home at the time of the fire, and no injuries occurred during the incident. A family cat initially believed to be inside the home was later found safe outside the residence.

Brattleboro Apartment Fire at 107 Elliot Street

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At approximately 1:42 p.m., the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to a fire alarm activation at 107 Elliot Street. Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire contained to a single apartment on the 6th floor within the building. The building’s sprinkler system activated as designed, successfully suppressing the fire. However, the sprinkler activation caused significant water damage to 17 additional apartments.

Two individuals sustained minor injuries during the incident. Both were evaluated at the scene and transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for further medical assessment.

Burn Ban in Effect – Town of Brattleboro

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Due to current weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, a burn ban is now in effect for the Town of Brattleboro until further notice. The state is currently experiencing very high fire danger levels, and even a small spark could lead to a dangerous wildfire.

Burn Ban in Effect – Town of Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Due to current weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, a burn ban is now in effect for the Town of Brattleboro until further notice. The area is currently experiencing very high fire danger levels, and even a small spark could lead to a dangerous wildfire.

Burn Ban in Effect – Town of Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Due to current weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, a burn ban is now in effect for the Town of Brattleboro until further notice. The area is currently experiencing very high fire danger levels, and even a small spark could lead to a dangerous wildfire.

Brattleboro Burn Ban in Effect – High Fire Danger

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Due to current weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, a burn ban is now in effect for the Town of Brattleboro until further notice.

All outdoor burning, including brush piles, campfires, and burn barrels, is prohibited. This action is necessary to protect our community, natural resources, and emergency personnel.

Heat Advisory Issued for Brattleboro: Dangerous Temperatures Expected July 16 from 12 PM to 8 PM

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Brattleboro, VT – The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the Brattleboro area today, Wednesday, July 16, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Heat index values are forecasted to reach between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, posing a serious risk of heat-related illness.

Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and others, especially vulnerable populations such as older adults, young children, and individuals without access to cooling or hydration.

Brattleboro Press Release – Fire at 52 S. Main Street

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At 9:58 p.m., the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to a first alarm house fire. Engine two arrived on scene at 10:02 p.m. reporting heavy fire. Captain Emery (Engine two officer) established command and upgraded to a second alarm. 

After arriving on the scene, Captain Emery and Brattleboro Police Officers confirmed the structure was unoccupied and crews stretched handlines to the front of the structure. Access to the house was delayed due to debris spread across the front entrance and yard, blocking firefighting progress. 

At 10:03 p.m., Chief Symonds assumed command. As further Brattleboro Fire Department units arrived, the crews used multiple handlines to contain the fire at 52 South Main St. Due to the structure being unstable and conditions inside of the structure, all fire suppression operations occurred from outside of the structure. 

Brattleboro Three-Alarm Fire at SIT Quickly Contained, Emergency Response

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On March 26, 2025, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Brattleboro emergency personnel received call of a fire alarm activation at the School of International Training (SIT), located at 1 Kipling Road in Brattleboro. Units arrived at 11:19 a.m., and first-arriving crews located a fire in Gamble Residence, a building on the north end of the campus.

After locating the fire, Captain Emery upgraded the incident to a first-alarm assignment, calling in additional crews.

The incident was upgraded to a second alarm after fires were located in other buildings. There were active fires in a total of five of the 26 buildings on campus. The call was upgraded to a three-alarm fire at approximately 11:45 a.m., and additional equipment and personnel were called to the scene.

Brattleboro Appoints Jay Symonds as Fire Chief

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Jay Symonds

The Town of Brattleboro is pleased to announce the appointment of Jay Symonds to the role of Fire Chief of the Brattleboro Fire Department. Symonds brings an extensive record of experience in fire and emergency medical services, disaster response, and leadership. Symonds will begin his new role on April 7, 2025.

“Chief Symonds has a track record that matches the excellence of the team at the Brattleboro Fire Department,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “He’s joining our community with decades of experience as a paramedic, firefighter, educator, and member of the National Guard.”

Symonds previously served with the Manlius Fire Department in upstate New York as a lieutenant and public safety coordinator, overseeing staff EMS education and recertification. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership roles, including five years as Assistant Fire Chief of the Sherburne Fire Department, also in upstate New York.

Vermont HAZMAT Response at Technology Drive

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On March 10, 2025, at 06:30 a.m., the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to 90 Technology Drive for an alarm activation. The first arriving units reported an active ammonia leak of 273 parts per million in the building. Crews established that the building had been evacuated and accounted for all occupants. The Vermont HAZMAT Team was notified and dispatched to the scene.

Brattleboro Press Release – Fire at Brookside Drive

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At 1725 hrs. on February 6, 2025, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to 39 Brookside Drive, Apartment #3, for a report of active fire in the unit. The first arriving crew found moderate smoke from the exterior of a 7-unit apartment building. Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Hubbard reported a fire in an unoccupied unit (apartment #3) with a possible extension into the adjoining unit (apartment #4) and attack space. With this information, the incident was upgraded to a second alarm.

The initial crews located the fire on the second floor of Apartment #3 in the bathroom area. They deployed two 1.75” hose lines to the seat of the fire while a second crew began ensuring all occupants were out of the remaining units. The fire was extinguished quickly, and overhaul and ventilation were performed simultaneously.

Brattleboro Fire Department – Fire at Fulflex on Jan. 20

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At 20:45 on January 20, 2025, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to 32 Justin Holden Drive (Fulflex) for a fire alarm activation. The first arriving crews found moderate smoke in the commercial structure. Shortly thereafter, Captain Casabona reported a fire in the machine room with a possible extension into the exhaust system. With this information, the incident was upgraded to a second alarm.

Valley Road Structure Fire

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The Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched on a first alarm on December 13, 2024, at 10:37 a.m. to 12 Valley Road in the Mountain Home Trailer Park for a reported structure fire. Units from Station Two and Central Station responded. Engine Four arrived on the scene at 10:40 a.m. Lt. Ben Aither reported a shed fully involved with extension into the garage. Crews stretched hose lines and extinguished the fire. Command reported under control at 11:10 a.m.

Burn Ban in Brattleboro Extended to Dec. 2

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The Brattleboro Fire Department is extending the ban on debris burning within Brattleboro for an additional week. Burn permits will not be issued in Town during this time.

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation first issued a statewide burn ban on Oct. 28, which was in effect through Nov. 11. Due to persistent drought, the ban was extended in Bennington, Rutland, Windham and Windsor Counties through Nov. 25.

Brattleboro Brush Fire on Kelly Road Contained

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Crews were dispatched to 671 Kelly Road in Brattleboro at 07:37 on Nov. 13, 2024, for a reported brush fire. On arrival, crews reported approximately 5 acres burning.

The fire has since been contained, and crews will be on the scene for an extended period of time to extinguish the blaze. Fire Department crews from Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney, Newbrook, along with the Brattleboro Department of Public Works, are on the scene. Keene is providing coverage for the Brattleboro Central Station.

Brush Fire Contained, State’s Burn Ban Extended to Nov. 18

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On Friday, November 8, Station Two was dispatched at 14:34 hours to the area of 357 Melchen Road for a reported power line down. Engine 1 arrived in the area to report a power line down in the woods with a brush fire. Crews reported 1-2 acres burning and requested to upgrade to a first alarm. The fire spread quickly due to high winds, and the incident was upgraded to three alarms.

The response involved all Brattleboro Fire units and staff, as well as personnel, brush trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and tankers from neighboring departments, including from Guilford, Dummerston, Putney, Westminster, Halifax, Newbrook, Townshend, Wilmington, Keene, Spofford, Walpole, Chesterfield, Westmoreland, North Walpole, Swanzey, and Greenfield. Chesterfield, Walpole, Westminster, and Cheshire EMS provided coverage for the Brattleboro stations.

Brattleboro Road Closure Notice for Canal Street on November 8, 2024

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Brattleboro, VT —Canal Street will be closed from South Main Street to Elm Street on Friday, November 8, 2024, due to ongoing emergency services operations and debris removal following the recent fire at 45 Canal Street. Demolition crews will be on-site throughout most of the day to safely clear the affected area.

Southbound traffic on Canal Street will be detoured via Flat & Elm Streets or South Main & Washington Streets. The northbound lane will be detoured down Elm St and onto Flat St, but drivers should anticipate periodic delays to accommodate trucks and equipment entering and exiting the site.