East Farmington Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc. Est. 1944

20 Cub Scouts from Webelo Dens across Town and surrounding areas joined together to participate in a presentation intended to help them earn their Readyman Activity pin. Readyman is a required element of Cub Scouts to earn their Webelo rank as 9 – 11 year olds. The Readyman requirement is intended to be a primer for 1st aid and teaches proper response to emergency situations. The evening was a big hit with the boys as they learned the realities of 1st aid in a class room type setting, followed by an introduction to a typical fire fighter’s tasks, at what was thankfully for the class, a simulated structure fire.

After obtaining his 2Q License Endorsement in June, FF/EMT Kimball set out on a rigorous path to obtain his qualification as a Pump Operator. All of his hard work paid off on Tuesday afternoon August 4 when he was tested on his proficiency of operating both Engine 9 and Engine 10. FF Kimball was tested and his skills observed by a team of officers lead by Deputy Chief Pat Royce, Captain Bonnie Sudell and Past Deputy Chief and Training Officer Robert Sudell. They set out to Irving A. Robbins Junior High School and observed his abilities to pump the apparatus in a simulated fire environment. Each of them gave Nick high marks and subsequently qualified him as a Pump Operator. The qualification now allows FF/EMT Kimball to drive fire apparatus to calls.

Congratulations Nick!

Recently the State of Connecticut Fire Academy presented the Q Endorsement Training Course at East Farms Station.  The course is 32 hours long and was completed during the months of June and July.  The Q Endorsement is a license type required by the State of Connecticut for an individual that operates any fire apparatus vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 26,001 pounds.  A description of the course curriculum  as provided by the CT Fire Academy is below:

"The Q Endorsement course is designed to prepare the potential fire apparatus operator for the testing requirements established by the State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.  This training course will consist of classroom and extensive practical sessions conducted throughout the length of the course culminating with practical testing administered by the Department of Motor Vehicle on the final day of the class.  Students should make arrangements to practice pre-trip and driving skills at their own firehouse during non-class hours to be more successful with the DMV administered test.  Topics covered in the classroom portion of the course include: testing requirements; inspection methods; speed and braking distances; night driving; driving and alcohol; emergencies; accidents; and air brakes. Topics covered in the practical portion of the course include: pre-trip inspection; static course; and over the road skills."

 
On Saturday August 1, 2009 the course culminated with fire fighters testing to obtain their license to drive fire apparatus.  Congratulations to Fire Fighters Christopher Huber, David Koplowitz, John Neves and Andre Williams Jr. for successfully passing the state exam and obtaining the Q Endorsement!
 
Special thanks is extended to the CFA Instructors for working so diligently with our fire fighters.  In addition we can not overlook the effort and countless hours spent by the Volunteer Fire Officers in helping to train these individuals - Deputy Chief Royce, Captain Nelson, Lieutenant Eyres and Lieutenant Gulino!  Thanks to all for a job well done!

The Department's Annual Holiday Party and Awards Banquet was held at the Farmington Community Center on Saturday evening, December 13, 2008.  The evening was full of food, fun, dancing and entertainment with the highlight of the night being the annual awards ceremony.

East Farms recently received a new website, which you are currently viewing. As the website is relatively new, please be patient as the website is assembled and more and more content is added, and bugs are ironed out. If you have comments, complaints, or suggestions - please e-mail them to webmaster@effd.org.