MVFD seeks volunteers

#MiddleburyCT #MVFD #EMTs #Firefighters

Three new pieces of gym equipment, a Stair Master, Jacob’s ladder, and a weight station, help Middlebury firefighters and EMTs stay in shape. Funds from donations to the department paid for the new equipment. (Marjorie Needham photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

After responding to a record number of calls last year (more than 1,400) the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) is looking to add to its ranks of firefighters and ambulance personnel. Emergency medical services calls for an ambulance dominated the overall number with almost 1,100 calls. The trucks rolled out on just under 500 fire calls (motor vehicle accidents count in both categories). The overall call volume represents a 14% increase over the prior year, which had roughly 1230 calls.

This volume leaves the MVFD asking Middlebury residents for their help. They posted on Facebook, “Please consider volunteering to help your neighbors and community in times of crisis. We have a dedicated group of volunteers working hard to provide the best emergency services but as the town and call volume grows, we need more hands to help carry the load. See our web site for details, www.middleburyfire-ct.org/join-us1.”

With about 40 current members and a membership cap of 75 to 80, MVFD Chief Brett Kales said, “I’ll take as many as I can get. If I ever reached the cap, I’d be doing cartwheels down the road.”

Applicants for ambulance staff need to meet these criteria:

• Be at least 18
• Hold valid Connecticut EMT certification
• Be available at least one 8 hour shift per month
• Pass firefighter physical according to NFPA
• Pass background check
• Town residency not required

Applicants for firefighters need to meet the following criteria:

• Middlebury resident or out of town resident already certified for Fire 1
• Age 18 or older.
• Pass OSHA physical
• Pass background check

Applications from those who have met these criteria are presented to the membership for a vote to accept their application. Kales said in 40 years with the department he has never seen members turn down an application.

New members are welcomed on probationary status while they complete the department’s training requirements. Captain Mike von Kannewurff said completion can take six months to two years depending on a person’s motivation and the time they have free for training.

Von Kannewurff, who is in charge of training firefighters, said of probationary members, “We like to get them on the trucks as soon as we can.” He said that is why they are immediately taught five basic skills: connecting hydraulic extensions, hooking up to (making) a hydrant, putting up a ladder, advancing a hose line and opening a window for ventilation. They also are taught how to properly don their safety equipment. These skills allow them to safely assist members at the scene.

A second vote, on full membership, follows completion of departmental training. Asked about perks for firefighters, Kales said the main one is “You’re helping your community.”

Von Kannewurff said, “You get to do things people dream about. You learn skills, medical and fire, you can use in your life.”

He added it’s a pretty fun group in which relationships run deep. He said he was in China on a business trip when a storm brought down a tree at his home. It took down the wires, leaving his wife in a home without electricity. She called headquarters and members took care of getting her electricity restored.

Kales said it becomes a family project for many. A youth joins the junior firefighters and talks to his/her family about it. Then dad joins as a firefighter. Next, mom joins the auxiliary and the whole family is spending time at fire headquarters.

Members meet the second Monday of each month. They are paid the grand sum of $7 for each fire call, but von Kannerwurff said the benefits of meeting someone you helped are invaluable. “It’s very rewarding when you help someone out and then run into them 10 years later, and they thank you,” he said.