The next meeting of PVFA will be on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 1930 (that's 7:30pm) at the Plainfield Public Safety Complex. If you are interested in becoming a firefighter or EMT in Plainfield, be sure to stop by then or any Thursday night.
The Clint Fiske Award was established in 1994 to recognize exceptional and long term efforts towards the support of the PVFA and PVFD. This year, three nominees were given the award. Those honored are Howard Bronstein, John Westwood, and Bernie Forgea of Cummington. Name plates have been created and are in place on the Clint Fiske Ward plaque on display at the Plainfield Public Safety Complex.
Every year, police, fire, highway and other emergency workers and volunteers in the hilltowns have the opportunity to attend an Emergency First Responder (EFR) training course. This includes training in medical and trauma skills that go beyond basic first aid, as well as in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED). Since these personnel are often the first on scene for car accidents, household mishaps and medical problems, their EFR training saves lives by providing an important level of care before the ambulance arrives. This year, Plainfield hosted the Hilltown course in the training room of the Public Safety Complex.
Plainfield has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The $66,968 grant will be used to purchase new turnout gear, replacing aging protective coats and pants that are more than 20 years old in some cases. The new gear provides vital improvements to help protect personnel from the dangers of fighting fires. The grant will also fund a computerized firefighter training course, necessary to keep train new firefighters and keep experienced firefighters up-to-date with the latest techniques and theory. Without this grant, the Fire Department would have had to ask the taxpayers of Plainfield to fund the purchase of the new gear.
The Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Association recently acquired a 3,300 gallon tanker, one of the largest tankers in the Hilltowns, for the Town of Plainfield. The 1984 tanker was originally used by a fire department in Pennsylvania, and has been well maintained. Members of the fire department have made the few necessary repairs to put it in service, and it has already responded on fire calls. PVFA used $15,00 raised from several years of its fundraising efforts (annual donations and Chicken Barbecue, for example). The departments old tanker was rusting badly, and was at risk of dumping its 2,000 gallons of water inside the fire station at any time. The replacement became available and PVFA jumped at the chance to purchase it. The new tanker has a stainless steel tank, three electrically controlled dump valves, dual wheel axles, and a Detroit diesel engine. With only a few houses in the center of town served by fire hydrants, shuttling water to fire scenes by tanker is a crucial step in fighting most fires in Plainfield. This new tanker will get more water to a fire more quickly, which can make an important difference in firefighters' ability to stop a house fire before it spreads too far.
There was a Vehicle Extrication training exercise on Thursday 12/16/2010.
The annual meeting of the PVFA was held on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at the Plainfield Public Safety Complex. Among other business, elections for Association officers were held. Ellen Dupont was elected as President and John Westwood as Vice-President/Secretary of the Association. Andy Stevens was re-elected as Treasurer. Congratulations to all three, and many thanks for being willing to serve.
Plainfield Fire-EMS sponsored an EMT Refresher in October 2010 for area EMTs at the Plainfield Public Safety Complex. The refresher was held at the Plainfield Public Safety Complex at 38 North Central Street in Plainfield from 6pm-10pm on Wed and Thurs, 10/13-14 and 8am-5pm on Sat and Sun, 10/16-17.
Plainfield Fire-EMS recently acquired at no cost to the town a surplus off-road fire-rescue vehicle from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation(DCR) Bureau of Forest Fire Control. The Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Association purchased and donated to the town a Kimtek slip-on unit, with water tank, pump, and space for a Stokes basket or back board. Firefighters Cam Lacey and Matt Hardwick (pictured) donated their time and effort to get the "Mule" running and to install the additional equipment.
The 40th annual Plainfield Firefighters' BBQ was held on Sunday, September 5, 2010. Tickets sold out and a great time was had by all!
The annual meeting of the Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Association was held on Thursday, November 12,2009 at the Plainfield Public Safety Complex. Among other items of business, the Association elected officers. John Westwood will serve as President for a 2nd year, Brian Hawthorne was re-elected as Secretary/Vice-President, and Andy Stevens was re-elected as Treasurer.
Over the past month, the Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department hosted a 40 hour wildland fire training program conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation(DCR) Bureau of Forest fire Control. The course was taught by Bureau Chief David Celino who also is the Fire Chief of Colrain and other DCR instructors. Over 40 firefighters from throughout Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties attended the course which included mostly classroom sessions, but also a final all day live training drill that took place on the grounds of the Ashfield Rod and Gun Club in Plainfield. The Wildland program included federal S-130 firefighter training and S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire behavior training courses that involved two written tests and the hand's on training the last day of the course. Those successfully completing the course can next pass a physical test and receive the "Red card" certification that entitles them to join the Massachusetts Wildland Fire team that is on call to fight fires throughout North America if mobilized.
The new flagpole at the Plainfield Public Safety Complex was dedicated to the memory of Arvilla Dyer, for all of her years of service to town and country.
The 39th Annual Firefighters' Barbecue was held behind the Shaw Memorial Library on Main Street, Plainfield, on Sunday, September 6, 2009 (Labor Day Weekend). For many years this has been Plainfield's largest and most popular annual event. Many activities now take place around the Barbecue, including Plainfield Artsfeast, the annual Plainfield 1.1 mile road race, annual Shaw Memorial Library book sale, and new this year, through the support of the Plainfield Cultural Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council, live local music will be performed during the afternoon festivities.
As always, the feature event, the Firefighters' Barbecue will offer a half barbecued chicekn, baked potato, homemade coleslaw, corn on the cob, Hebert dinner roll, watermelon and a beverage; all for $10/adult and $5/child under 12. A great price for a great meal! Tickets are available from any Plainfield Firefighter, EMT, or Police Officer. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance as only 500 meals will be served.
The Firefighters' Barbecue is a fund-raising event for the Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Association in support of the efforts of our volunteer firefighters and EMTs who protect the lives and properties of the residents of our town.
On the night of 11-12 December 2008, an ice storm hit the Berkshire Highlands, leaving powerlines down, roads blocked, and everyone in Plainfield and surrounding towns without power. The local highway department, fire/ems department and many local citizens worked together to clear roads so that WMECO crews could get access to restore power. The new Public Safety Complex served as Plainfield's Emergency Operations Center during the state of emergency, and as a shelter and warming station for local residents and workers. Although it was a difficult time, it showed how a town can pull through adversity if everyone pulls together. Photos of the aftermath of the ice storm are available.
The new pumper/tanker to replace Plainfield's trusty 1973 Ford Maxim, 62-E3, has arrived! Look for more photos and details coming soon!