Letter to Fire District # 2 (Cavendish)
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January 26, 2024
To the taxpayers of Cavendish Fire District 2:
I am writing to keep you updated on the good work being performed by the responders of Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department. In 2023 our members responded to 106 emergency calls. The majority of these calls were medical in nature. We currently have 11 responders in our department which include two Advanced EMT's, one paramedic, one Vermont Emergency First Responder and 8 volunteer firefighters that are trained in basic First Aid and CPR. We continue to train in house and attend outside training events as they become available.
During the extreme flooding in July the dry hydrant behind Mack Molding was rendered inoperable. I have applied for a grant from the state to repair the hydrant. It should be replaced as soon as the weather permits. In late December a state EMS inspector came to the station for an unannounced inspection of our Rescue Squad readiness preparedness. I am very pleased to announce that we passed the inspection.
The Cavendish Fire District 2 committee continues to work on the long process of obtaining the MERP(Municipal Weatherization Resilience Program) grant. They are in the late stages of this process. This grant will allow us to bring the building into ADA compliance and continue to reduce our energy usage substantially. The district applied for and obtained a mini grant from the state to do an ADA assessment on the station building. With the assistance of Peter Labelle and Martha Harrision we contracted with Tom Bursey Designs Pllc of Burlington to do this work. Tom came to the station on October 20. The design report is attached. The upgrade of the building to ADA compliance will allow the building to become a more functional public meeting space again. The fire station continues to be a drop off and pick up point for Meals on Wheels and for Covid 19 testing kits.
On December 5, Martha Harrison from the regional planning commission as well as two energy analysts from Nova Group, GBC came to the station and performed an intensive inspection of the building in order to make a report and recommendations on how to proceed in further weatherizing the building. This report is in the process of being completed.
The department recently received a significant private anonymous donation to clean and paint the two apparatus bays that house our Rescue and Brush Truck. This work has been partially completed and is ongoing. I would like to thank all of the community members, taxpayers and private citizens who continue to donate money and time to further the mission of our department and of course all of our dedicated volunteers.
Sincerely,
Chief Rebecca Nareau.