2007 Message from the Bristol Fire Department Eric Dey, Fire Chief (From the 2007 newsletter)
The Bristol Volunteer Fire Department - BVFD, is in its fourth decade of protecting the lives and property of the Town of Bristol residents. In the past year the department responded to approximately 200 ambulance calls and 150 fire/rescue calls. The department's team is made up of over 30 active members who dedicate thousands of volunteer hours annually. Their time includes (but is certainly not limited to): weekly training and equipment maintenance, responding to emergency calls and fundraising. The department is made up of several subspecialty groups, including Smoke Divers, Medics, Extrication and Fire Police. There is also an active social membership who give support during emergencies and fundraising events.

In the past year the BVFD applied for and were awarded a $51,000 grant from FEMA. This grant was used for the purchase of communications equipment, extrication tools (jaws of life), wild land fire protective clothing and vehicle stabilization jacks. Additionally we were awarded a $1000 grant from the NYS DEC for the purchase of wild land fire protective clothing.

You may have already seen the newest addition to the BVFD fleet. We are very excited to have taken delivery of a 2007 Rosenbauer, Timberwolf, Urban Interface Fire Engine. The department spent over a year designing this new truck to meet our community's specific needs. This new asset has the ability to access long, difficult driveways, remote areas and suppress wild land fires.

Bristol Town Residents may not be aware of the diverse experience that makes up our BVFD team. Several of our members additionally serve on various county level specialty teams, including Hazardous Materials, Rope Rescue, Child Abduction Response Team. Our department greatly benefits from the knowledge gained by these members.

BVFD is always welcome to new members. If interested stop by the fire house, on Rt. 64, any Monday night at 7:00 pm.


SAFETY TIPS:

• Make sure your house number is visible from the road.
• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and CO detectors.
• Have your chimney cleaned.
• Notify the Fire Chief of any planned controlled burns (bonfires).
• NEVER use gasoline to start a fire!

Eric Dey
Bristol Fire Chief
Home Phone - 396-1345
24 hour cell - 261-9718