New Fleet Maintenance Vehicle is Complete

The Town of Vernon Fire Department has gained a new piece of equipment to aid in the service of our maintenance program. Congratulations to Chief Engineer John Mylek and Captain Steve Scanlon in obtaining a 1985 GMC box truck.
The truck was sitting in the Coca-Cola fleet maintenance lot where Captain Scanlon works. Steve inquired about the vehicle and to his amazement, they were planning to scrap it! Steve asked if Coca-Cola would be willing to donate it to the Town of Vernon and they agreed.
The truck is in excellent working order and only needed a new battery along with some cleaning, and then it was sent off to get a new paint job to receive TVFD'S colors. The truck is able to keep most parts, vehicle records, along with both of John and Steve's tools. Other equipment installed on the truck is bulk transfer pumps for oil and grease, an air compressor with a 50 ft. cord reel and a generator.
The truck, according to Steve, has given them ease of use and the ability to perform their job more effectively. One last item placed in the truck was, of course, a doggy bed for the maintenance vehicle mascot, Spike!

The Chief has reported the budget made it past the Mayor's review with NO cuts. The Mayor's initial reviews towards the firefighters pension proposal are favorable.
The Mayor and Finance director Jim Luddecke are moving forward with more investigation of the proposal, but both agree volunteer firefighters deserve some kind of pension. They awaiting feedback from Town pension committee members. This issue is on the agenda for the Tuesday, March 16th Town Counsel Meeting.

The Town of Vernon Fire Department's Annual Banquet proved to be another success. Hosted by Truck 541 on Saturday, February 6, 1998, it brought 147 people to the Maple Grove Hall on Franklin Street. The evening began around 6:30 p.m. and finished about 10:00 p.m. In those 3 hours, recapping some humorous and also serious moments of the past year. The position of Master of Ceremonies was held by Lt. George Males, who made sure none of those embarrassing moments from the past year were missed by anyone. A buffet dinner was served and numerous raffle prizes awarded. And of course, the banquet wouldn't be complete without one of Marie Herbst's tribute poems to Fire/EMS personnel. But the highlight of the night had to go to Rev. Paul Bowman when he spoke of this being his last banquet speech due to retirement. He took a saddened moment and turned it to a lighter side with some of his jokes and stories. Members were wiping away tears of laughter rather than tears of sorrow.
That night, awards were presented to the following members:
Lt. Stan Landry of R141 received an Appreciation Award for his assistance with daytime training.
Department Secretary Diane Carpenter received an Appreciation Award for her hard work and dedication.
Lt. Jeff Schamback of ET141, Lt. Bill Kerr of ET241, FF Mike Bova of R141, FF Bob Turkington of ET541 and EMT Jean Gauthier from the Ambulance Co., received Personal Citations for assistance on a second medical call for a patient who was revived from cardiac arrest.
The Fire Police Company received a Unit Citation for their time dedicated over the past year.
Lt. George Males of ET241 received an Achievement Award for work performed over the past year, especially with the start of the new SCBA Maintenance Program.

Rev. Paul Bowman receives a standing ovation after completing his speech.

TVFD Association President Bill Kerr presents Association Secretary Diane Carpenter with an Appreciation Award.