Scope of Activity

The Mont Vernon Fire Department responds to reports of fires as well as to reports of vehicle accidents, hazardous waste spills, downed power lines, search and rescue situations, and medical assists. Members of the department also conduct fire-code and life-safety inspections, issue permits for oil-burner installations and unvented heaters, and conduct safety education classes yearly for school-aged children. The department cooperates with 26 surrounding towns in the Souhegan Mutual Fire Aid Association.

Facility

The two-story Mont Vernon Fire Station, built in 1947, is located on Main Street next door to the Town Hall. Downstairs, 1169 square feet are used as bays for equipment and for drying hoses. Upstairs, 1712 square feet are divided into several rooms, including a meeting room (capacity 30-35), offices, recreation room, and kitchen.

There are 24 parking spaces in the Town Hall/Fire Station lot, which is inadequate when fire department activities coincide with meetings at the Town Hall. Trying a different lot layout is an initial step to solving this problem.

The Fire Department shares the building with the Highway Department. Five fire department vehicles are stored in two short bays and two long bays, while the Highway Department uses the two additional bays in the building. The town supports building a separate facility for the Highway Department. At the 1999 town meeting the Town opened a capital reserve fund with $10,000 for the purpose of building a highway garage in the future. The Town added to this fund again in 2000. The Fire Department would like to expand into the Highway Department's two bays (980 square feet), and use them to store an additional pumper-tanker.

The town should consider the best use of all garage facilities in order to accommodate and care for the equipment of both departments and consider whether any new structures must be built. The Fire Wards predict that the existing fire station will need renovation or total replacement in the next twenty-five years. The building is made of cinder block, which is not a material made to withstand time. An engineering study is needed to determine the structural soundness of the building and to make an educated prediction as to how long it will last. The south side of the building is beginning to split.

The building has plumbing and uses water from a well shared with the Town Hall and Library, but the water is undrinkable. The town pays to supply the station with a water cooler for drinking water.

A shower, upgraded septic system and a separate well would be desirable renovations to the facility. Sleeping quarters, in case of a major incident, would be desirable, but are not possible due to the design of the upstairs space; currently cots are sometimes used.

The Fire Department receives calls from the Milford Area Communications Center (MACC Base), a local dispatching service of which it is a member. MACC Base offers 24 hour coverage to six towns (Mont Vernon, Amherst, Greenville, Lyndeborough, Milford, and Wilton) and provides dispatch service for police, rescue, fire, and public works departments. An interference problem with Mont Vernon's current frequency causes the radio signal to be overridden by foreign parties. MACC Base may decide to solve the problem by giving Mont Vernon a different frequency or moving to a digital system. The Capital Improvements Program should include a contingency plan to cover the costs of this change, which will be substantial.

There is not currently a problem with traffic congestion or distance as regards to call response.

Water Resources

One of our Fire Department's greatest concerns is the availability of water supplies and water flow. Since Mont Vernon has no public water system, the Fire Department relies on various water sources. Some homeowners have their own hydrants. During autumn, and in times of drought, getting enough water to the scene of a fire has proven difficult, especially in the northwest quadrant of town. Currently where water resources are scarce the Department uses a tanker shuttle.

The fire department is enforcing a 1994 state law (NFPA 1231 fire code) that requires builders to undergo approval of a fire plan that ensures adequate water supply through means of underground cisterns or fire ponds so that water will be readily available in all seasons. Fire ponds must be within 2000 feet of the driveway of the furthest house in the development. If a cistern or pond is not possible, sprinkler systems could be required.

Several dry hydrants were built in 1988 off accessible driveways, and natural water resources. These are located in Lots 2-31, 5-84, 5-1, 5-16, 5-75, 7-71, 8-3, 7-30, and 1-35.

Seasonal water supplies are located near Lot 07:19 and 03:36. A pump source is located near the road at 07:55. The pond at Carleton Park is a good all-season water source. The pond in Lot 02:46 is also good except in January. Black Brook in Lot 06:51-1 is a good source. The Fire Department often uses a brook in New Boston to serve the NW quadrant of town.

The town should study existing natural water resources to determine feasible access points to improve water supply for the fire department.

Staff

Fire protection is provided by a team of 20 fire fighters who are paid for their time on call. The Fire Chief leads the board of three town-elected Fire Wards. There are currently three captains and three lieutenants. At this time, eighteen of the members are from Mont Vernon; three are from Amherst and three are from Milford. Three members are trained in First Response and three are EMTs. Members volunteer for Firefighter Level 1, Firefighter Level 2, Firefighter Career, First Responder and EMT trainings, which are available on a regular basis.

A team of thirty volunteers would be desirable for our current population (approximately 2,000). The best situation would be to have fifteen firefighters available for every call. During the daytime on weekdays an average of 3-6 volunteers from the Mont Vernon Fire Department are available to respond to calls, as opposed to the 20+ available evenings and weekends, but because of our participation in the mutual aid program, getting adequate daytime coverage is not a problem at this time.

Equipment

The Fire Department keeps three pumpers, one tanker and one forestry fire truck as described in Table I. A capital reserve fund has been established for the purpose of replacing fire trucks, to which the town has loyally contributed over the last ten years.

Fire Department Heavy Equipment, 2000

Note: 21 Forestry 1 belongs to the State of NH Forestry Department.

Fire Calls, 1989-1999

If fire calls reach numbers of 400-500 in a year, full-time firefighters will be required. However, at the expected rate of population growth, this situation is far in the future, well beyond the time scope of this master plan.

The town currently has one Warden and five Deputy Wardens in charge of forest fire suppression, prevention, and law enforcement, assisted by a state Forest Ranger. The nearest State of New Hampshire fire tower is located on Federal Hill in neighboring Milford. The nearest contract aircraft patrol is the roaming state ranger based at the Concord NH office.

Summary of Action Items

Source: Kevin Pomeroy, Fire Chief, and Jay Wilson and Sean Mamone, Board of Fire Wards