“Proud of Our Past, Focused On Our Future”

Welcome to the home of the East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department, Inc! Scroll down to read more about recent events.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported our department golf tournament in the past. Information on the 2012 golf tournament will be forthcoming towards the end of 2011.

CLICK HERE to read more about our fire department.  

Lt. David Koplowitz posing with his Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit School certificate.

Graduated from Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Class #48

On Thursday December 22, 2011 Lieutenant David Koplowitz received his diploma from the Connecticut Fire Academy for successfully completing the Connecticut Fire Academy’s 14 week Fire Fighter Recruit Program.  The program is designed to provide basic firefighting and rescue skills to newly hired fire fighters preparing them for their everyday job responsibilities.  What makes Dave’s accomplishment so noteworthy is that he did this all on his own!

Since joining the fire department in 2008, you could see the passion Dave has held for the fire department and the emergency services that are provided.  He has continually taken classes to advance his knowledge and abilities and has recently been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.  As an aspiring career fire fighter, Dave is well aware that obtaining his dream job is highly competitive.  There are many people who apply for the few available positions for the best job in the world!  With that in mind, Dave took the unique steps of applying and entering the recruit class on his own with hopes that the additional training and certifications will help him in his pursuit of his dream.  He endured and sacrificed 14 hard weeks of sweat, hard work, grit and determination to become the first ever fire fighter from East Farms to enter and complete the recruit class on his own!  We are extremely proud of Dave, look forward to having him back and wish him the best of luck.  CONGRATULATIONS LIEUTENANT KOPLOWITZ!!

Click HERE to see a pdf file of the program from graduation.

Click HERE to read an on the Farmington Patch about Lt. Koplowitz and the CT Fire Recruit program.

The East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Holiday Party and Awards Banquet Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Crystal Ballroom in New Britain.  President Bonnie Sudell welcomed guests and Chief Russell Nelson reviewed the past year’s accomplishments as well as expectations for the coming year.

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On Tuesday December 13, Assistant Chief Czlapinski received the call that he had long been waiting for, “the main structural members of the new Engine 10 had been moved into the factory floor” which marked the beginning of production.  The committee lead by Assistant Chief Czlapinski, Lieutenant Koplowitz, FF Petersen and FF Krawczyk have been working on the specifications for the replacement apparatus for several years.  The purchase was approved by the Farmington Town Council in June, 2011 and the contract was subsequently awarded to KME Fire Apparatus.  The estimated delivery date is April, 2012.  The new Engine 10 is a KME Predator Chassis with a XLFD Cab and 16” Raised Roof.  It has a 1,250 GPM Waterous single stage pump with a 750 gallon water tank, 30 gallon Class A Foam Tank and 30 Gallon Class B Foam Tank.  It has the capacity to carry 1,000 feet of 5” supply line and has a 25,000 watt ONAN generator and the Waterous Advantus 6 Foam System.

To see a scale drawing of the new Rescue Engine 10 please click here. 

At 12:37 on Saturday, December 17 fire fighters from the East Farms and Farmington Center stations were alerted to a motor vehicle fire on I84 westbound on the Exit 39A off ramp.  Car 201 was the first arriving finding a well involved vehicle fire.  Crews from Engine 10 and Engine 4 worked to extinguished the fire while Engine 9 assisted the Connecticut State Police in closing the exit.

Units on scene: Engine 4, Engine 9, Engine 10, Car 201, CT State Police

Fire Department units on scene: Engine 4, Engine 9, Engine 10, Car 201, Car 402

Other responding agencies: Farmington Police Department, Farmington DPW, CT State Police, State of CT DEEP, State of CT DOT, CL&P

Click HERE to read about the incident at NBC CONNECTICUTT.COM.

Click HERE for a short video from the scene of the fire!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, kitchen fires are one of the leading causes of structure fires and civilian injuries in the United States. A number of these fires and injuries are a result of people trying to put out grease fires.  Click the link below to see a short video about what to do if you experience a grease fire.

Kitchen Grease Fire

You may be tempted to throw water onto a grease fire, however as you saw in the video, DON’T DO IT! The water, being heavier than oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated.   The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out.  On the open field, it became a thirty-foot high fireball that resembles a nuclear blast.  Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fire ball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room. Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire.  One-cup of either creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.

East Farms Firefighters (from left to right): Lt. Nick Kimball, Firefighter Irma Butler, Firefighter Julian Bolduc, and Fire fighter Jesse Garrard.

Recently East Farms firefighters had the opportunity to train with other area firefighters in a mock natural disaster drill. On Sunday October 23, Task Force 52 and 54, which include the Towns of Farmington, Avon, Canton, Simsbury, Windsor and Bloomfield, among others,  worked together to save victims, put out fires and, most importantly, learn what it might be like working in a large scale mass casualty situation. The training took place in Avon and gave firefighters the opportunity to hone their extrication, rescue, fire suppression and hazard mitigation skills and training.

To see a video of the event click HERE.

To read more and see pictures from the event click here to go to the Farmington Patch.

Liberty Mutual Insurance is giving away $10,000 to the top 10 fire departments in the country with the most referrals from the Fire Safety Pledge quiz. To do your part to help East Farms Fire win the prize click HERE to take the quiz. Upon completion of the quiz please give credit to the East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department (make sure that you select the State of Connecticut when prompted) and then check your e-mail for a message to verify completion of the quiz. You may take the quiz for each e-mail address that you have. Remember to tell your friends and spread the word!

Fire Safety Pledge Quiz

Click the image for pictures of the drill.

 On Wednesday evening, September 14 the UCONN Fire Department – Health Center Station hosted a Confined Space Rescue Training drill at their facility at 400 Farmington Avenue.   The training exercise focused on the manpower intensive nature of such an operation, with emphasis on the safety and accountability of the rescuers.  The training evolution included entry into a confined space by members of the UCFD staff with EFVFD providing support services.

This was a great training exercise for East Farms members and a good refresher for the UCONN fire fighters.

Thanks to the UCONN Fire Department especially Captain Tirrell Cox and Lt John Pickert for hosting and working the logistics for this training.

Units Operating: East Farms Engine Tanker 9, Engine 10 and Medic 11.  UCONN Car 5, Engine 1, Tac 3, Prime Mover and Medic 1 & 2