#Middlebury #MVFD
The newest addition to the MVFD fleet awaits its wet down today, Saturday, Oct. 5. Wet downs are a fire department tradition. (Marjorie Needham photo)
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
The Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) is observing National Fire Prevention Month this October with two free public events and with visits to Middlebury elementary schools and daycare centers. The public is invited to a wet down Saturday, Oct. 5, from noon to 4 p.m. and to the MVFD annual open house Sunday, Oct. 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. Both events will be at the Tucker Hill Road firehouse.
MVFD Chief Brett Kales said the wet down tradition started years ago when departments would spray new vehicles with water before pushing them into the firehouse. These days, wet downs include inviting members of departments from surrounding towns to attend. This wet down is for Rescue 1, which was purchased used from a New Jersey fire department, and Kales said members of that department may drive up for the event.
He said Rescue 1 is the newer version of a rescue vehicle. Previously they were equipped only for rescue and carried no water. Rescue 1 can carry 500 gallons of water in addition to rescue equipment such as ropes, the Jaws of Life and equipment for water and ice rescues.
The Oct. 20 open house offers a variety of activities for children and adults and includes the department’s second biggest fundraiser, a raffle. Raffle prizes this year are a $1,500 gift certificate for Tribury Travel, an Apple iPad Pro, a 50-inch Samsung UHD TV, a $50 flower bouquet each month for 12 months, a $200 gift card to Vyne restaurant, a $100 gift card to Stop & Shop and a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm.
Those attending the open house will be able to tour the firehouse and the equipment, take a ride on a fire engine, and watch demonstrations of extinguishing a car fire and using the Jaws of Life. Proper use of a fire extinguisher also will be demonstrated.
Refreshments will be provided at both events. Raffle tickets were mailed to Middlebury addresses, but if you didn’t get the mailing, contact a firefighter or call the department at 203-577-4036 for tickets.
Kales said on Friday, Oct. 19, the department will take the ladder truck, an engine and an ambulance to Middlebury elementary schools and daycare centers. He said members speak to the children about fire prevention, calling 911 and creating a plan for their family to safely get out of the house and then find each other afterwards.
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