There were two opportunities to watch the Waitsfield-Fayston Volunteer Fire Department this week. The first was during a Zoom/virtual (live for those who attended) meeting of the Waitsfield and Fayston Select Boards at the fire station to discuss budgeting, building conditions, equipment, etc.
The second was in reality as firefighters responded to a dump truck explosion on German Flats Road in Fayston on December 9, on the scene for over seven hours, working to extinguish the blaze and then working equally as hard to keep the hazardous materials from the blaze contained so they didn’t end up in Chase Brook.
Here's what was impressive about both chances to see one of our three local fire departments in action. At the joint select board meeting fire chief Jared Young walked the boards through equipment, strategies, the building and its needs (they are legion).
During that meeting Young frequently turfed the presentation over to the firefighters, asking various members to explain protocols, the rigs, training, etc. All were confident and assured and spoke with obvious pride in their work. That was impressive and demonstrates great leadership and great organizational cohesion.
And it was even more impressive to see that in action. What had been words on Monday was 10 fighters out in sub-zero temperatures for over seven hours.
Want to see training in action? Watch these guys set up hoses and extinguish the fire and then maneuver carefully around the ice that formed. Watch them work efficiently to absorb the diesel fuel and motor oil that ran down the sides of German Flats to keep it away from the brook.
Want to see what that great leadership yields? Chief Young was not at the fire this week, but his first assistant chief Daniel Beede was and rather than filter the details through himself, Young had Beede take the press call and provide the accurate, first-hand information.
We know we are fortunate to be served by three local volunteer fire departments to leave work and home and sleep to respond to fires and emergencies so they can help their neighbors. This week we saw it in theory and practice.
