Shelburne & District Fire Department kick-off Fire Prevetion Week

October 11, 2013 · 0 Comments

Fire Prevention Week began with a huge turn out during Shelburne & District Fire Departments’ Open House held on Saturday October 5th. From tours to demonstrations, from Fire Trucks with extended ladders to draws, the Fire Department was filled with Shelburne Residents young and old alike.

While Volunteer Fire Fighters demonstrated ‘Extrication’ which is the safe removal of a trapped and possibly injured person from a car, onlookers were held captivated by the entire process. Expertly performed, volunteer firefights used the Jaws of Life which is almost always mistaken for a singular item. In fact, the Jaws of Life consists of a three part hydraulic system, a hydraulic pump, hydraulic cutters, and hydraulic spreaders. Invaluable tools when saving a life, these particular items are not simply provided to fire departments and because they are considered extras, fire departments must raise money to acquire them and fortunately for Shelburne Residents, the Shelburne & District Fire Department has done just that.

Sponsors for the Open House included Strictly Recreation, Scott Reinhart Trailers, LC’s Signs and Jenson Auto Glass. Also in support of the Shelburne Fire Department, Green Tec Recycling graciously offered a huge trailer where anyone could deposit all computers, electronic products and old batteries where they will be responsibly, safely recycled and disposed of.

Elizabeth Erwin, Electronic Waste Recycling Services and Fundraising Account Executive of Greentec International explained, “ We provide the trailer and when it’s full, we empty it, recycle and dispose of the contents responsibly and can then provide the fire department with funds raised . We even provide buckets for offices where old batteries can be tossed and when full be brought to us.”

According to volunteer Fire Fighter Oluf Jensen, approximately $6000 was raised by the draw for a chance to win an RTV. Winner of the RTV, John Taylor was unavailable at the time the winner was announced however the of a $500 gift certificate, Mark Droog, humbly donated his prize to the Fire Station.

Volunteer Fire Station Chief Steven Horsley is a 31 year veteran firefighter and has been Chief for 14 years and commented, “ The scariest part of this job are the moments before arriving at a situation where we wander ‘what have we got to deal with’ and ‘we have to get there fast’. We have 30 Volunteer fire fighters on staff, including one female Fire Fighter.”

By Alex Sher

The Jaws of Life happens to be a process involving several hydraulic tools specially designed to safely remove and injured or trapped individual from a car. From start to finish, brave Fire Fighters demonstrate the proper procedure to free an individual and save a life.

The Shelburne Fire Department receives support from GREENTEC, a recycling company who safely and responsibly collects, recycles and disposes of electronic equipment and batteries. Elizabeth Erwin of GREENTEC, traveled from Cambridge to participate in the Shelburne&District Fire Fighters Open House on Saturday, Oct. 5th.

Photos by Alex Sher
Fire Station Chief, Steven Horsley stands along side Volunteer Fire Fighter,Rob Matthews who has been with the department for five years and when asked why he wanted to be a firefighter responded, “Even as a little person I wanted to be a firefighter. It’s the involvement and it’s helping people.”