Police & Fire

Police and Fire section

Brattleboro Three-Alarm Fire at SIT Quickly Contained, Emergency Response

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

On March 26, 2025, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Brattleboro emergency personnel received call of a fire alarm activation at the School of International Training (SIT), located at 1 Kipling Road in Brattleboro. Units arrived at 11:19 a.m., and first-arriving crews located a fire in Gamble Residence, a building on the north end of the campus.

After locating the fire, Captain Emery upgraded the incident to a first-alarm assignment, calling in additional crews.

The incident was upgraded to a second alarm after fires were located in other buildings. There were active fires in a total of five of the 26 buildings on campus. The call was upgraded to a three-alarm fire at approximately 11:45 a.m., and additional equipment and personnel were called to the scene.

Brattleboro Appoints Jay Symonds as Fire Chief

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire
Jay Symonds

The Town of Brattleboro is pleased to announce the appointment of Jay Symonds to the role of Fire Chief of the Brattleboro Fire Department. Symonds brings an extensive record of experience in fire and emergency medical services, disaster response, and leadership. Symonds will begin his new role on April 7, 2025.

“Chief Symonds has a track record that matches the excellence of the team at the Brattleboro Fire Department,” said Brattleboro Town Manager John Potter. “He’s joining our community with decades of experience as a paramedic, firefighter, educator, and member of the National Guard.”

Symonds previously served with the Manlius Fire Department in upstate New York as a lieutenant and public safety coordinator, overseeing staff EMS education and recertification. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership roles, including five years as Assistant Fire Chief of the Sherburne Fire Department, also in upstate New York.

Vermont HAZMAT Response at Technology Drive

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

On March 10, 2025, at 06:30 a.m., the Brattleboro Fire Department responded to 90 Technology Drive for an alarm activation. The first arriving units reported an active ammonia leak of 273 parts per million in the building. Crews established that the building had been evacuated and accounted for all occupants. The Vermont HAZMAT Team was notified and dispatched to the scene.

Brattleboro Press Release – Fire at Brookside Drive

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

At 1725 hrs. on February 6, 2025, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to 39 Brookside Drive, Apartment #3, for a report of active fire in the unit. The first arriving crew found moderate smoke from the exterior of a 7-unit apartment building. Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Hubbard reported a fire in an unoccupied unit (apartment #3) with a possible extension into the adjoining unit (apartment #4) and attack space. With this information, the incident was upgraded to a second alarm.

The initial crews located the fire on the second floor of Apartment #3 in the bathroom area. They deployed two 1.75” hose lines to the seat of the fire while a second crew began ensuring all occupants were out of the remaining units. The fire was extinguished quickly, and overhaul and ventilation were performed simultaneously.

Brattleboro Fire Department – Fire at Fulflex on Jan. 20

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

At 20:45 on January 20, 2025, the Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched to 32 Justin Holden Drive (Fulflex) for a fire alarm activation. The first arriving crews found moderate smoke in the commercial structure. Shortly thereafter, Captain Casabona reported a fire in the machine room with a possible extension into the exhaust system. With this information, the incident was upgraded to a second alarm.

Valley Road Structure Fire

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

The Brattleboro Fire Department was dispatched on a first alarm on December 13, 2024, at 10:37 a.m. to 12 Valley Road in the Mountain Home Trailer Park for a reported structure fire. Units from Station Two and Central Station responded. Engine Four arrived on the scene at 10:40 a.m. Lt. Ben Aither reported a shed fully involved with extension into the garage. Crews stretched hose lines and extinguished the fire. Command reported under control at 11:10 a.m.

Burn Ban in Brattleboro Extended to Dec. 2

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

The Brattleboro Fire Department is extending the ban on debris burning within Brattleboro for an additional week. Burn permits will not be issued in Town during this time.

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation first issued a statewide burn ban on Oct. 28, which was in effect through Nov. 11. Due to persistent drought, the ban was extended in Bennington, Rutland, Windham and Windsor Counties through Nov. 25.

Brattleboro Brush Fire on Kelly Road Contained

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Crews were dispatched to 671 Kelly Road in Brattleboro at 07:37 on Nov. 13, 2024, for a reported brush fire. On arrival, crews reported approximately 5 acres burning.

The fire has since been contained, and crews will be on the scene for an extended period of time to extinguish the blaze. Fire Department crews from Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney, Newbrook, along with the Brattleboro Department of Public Works, are on the scene. Keene is providing coverage for the Brattleboro Central Station.

Brush Fire Contained, State’s Burn Ban Extended to Nov. 18

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

On Friday, November 8, Station Two was dispatched at 14:34 hours to the area of 357 Melchen Road for a reported power line down. Engine 1 arrived in the area to report a power line down in the woods with a brush fire. Crews reported 1-2 acres burning and requested to upgrade to a first alarm. The fire spread quickly due to high winds, and the incident was upgraded to three alarms.

The response involved all Brattleboro Fire units and staff, as well as personnel, brush trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and tankers from neighboring departments, including from Guilford, Dummerston, Putney, Westminster, Halifax, Newbrook, Townshend, Wilmington, Keene, Spofford, Walpole, Chesterfield, Westmoreland, North Walpole, Swanzey, and Greenfield. Chesterfield, Walpole, Westminster, and Cheshire EMS provided coverage for the Brattleboro stations.

Brattleboro Road Closure Notice for Canal Street on November 8, 2024

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Brattleboro, VT —Canal Street will be closed from South Main Street to Elm Street on Friday, November 8, 2024, due to ongoing emergency services operations and debris removal following the recent fire at 45 Canal Street. Demolition crews will be on-site throughout most of the day to safely clear the affected area.

Southbound traffic on Canal Street will be detoured via Flat & Elm Streets or South Main & Washington Streets. The northbound lane will be detoured down Elm St and onto Flat St, but drivers should anticipate periodic delays to accommodate trucks and equipment entering and exiting the site.

Brattleboro Fire Chief Leonard Howard to Retire on Dec. 31

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the retirement of Fire Chief Leonard Howard III, whose dedication to the Brattleboro Fire Department and the community it serves extends back to the 1980s. Chief Howard’s retirement becomes effective on Dec. 31, 2024.

“I’m proud to be in the fire service. It’s been the best job in the world,” said Chief Howard. “I’ve enjoyed helping people, and seeing my staff progress and be successful. I think they’re in a good place, and they have a good future ahead of them.”

Chief Howard joined the Brattleboro Fire Department in 1987 as a member of its call staff, a role in which he served for a decade. When he joined, Howard was among about 30 volunteers who helped support career firefighters during major events. Starting in 1988, days after graduating high school, Howard took a job at the Brattleboro Public Works’ Utilities Division.

Brattleboro Fire at 117-119 Main Street

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Crews were dispatched to 117-119 Main Street for fire alarm activation Monday, September 23 at 14:34 hours. Crews arrived on the scene at 14:37 to report nothing showing from the front of a four-story building. Captain Kurt Schmidt advised that there was a sprinkler flow in the building and that there was a smoke condition on the third floor, and requested the incident be upgraded to a first alarm. At 14:45, crews advised there was a fire in an apartment on the fourth floor. The sprinkler did hold the fire to that apartment.

Citizens Police Communications Committee ( CPCC ) Meeting Agenda Sept 25

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Agenda

1. Call to Order and Review Minutes from June 26th 2024 and approve and go over Roberts Rules briefly. https://www.brattleborotv.org/brattleboro-rtm-steering-committee/roberts-rules-training-31422/

2. Discuss Complaints and Compliments from June 26th 2024 meeting any additional questions from last months review of Complaints and Compliments to determine final or continued decisions.

3. Go over any New Complaints and Compliments from BPD.

Carriage Hill Fire

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Central Station and Station Two were dispatched at 18:55 hours on a first alarm to 166 Carriage Hill for a reported structure fire, caller reported smoke coming from the vents in the roof. Engine One arrived on the scene at 18:59 hours, LT. Chris Fellows reported moderate smoke showing from a split-level ranch and requested that a second alarm be dispatched.

Crews confirmed all occupants were accounted for; neighbors advised that they believed no one was home. Engine 1 crew stretched a hose line made entry performed a primary search and then began a fire attack. The fire was in the kitchen and the crew made an aggressive attack on the main body of the fire. As other crews arrived, a secondary search was performed, as well as checking for fire extension in the rest of the home.

Brattleboro Police Department Rabies Clinic on March 16, 2024

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

The Brattleboro Police Department’s Animal Control Officer will be holding a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Brattleboro Police Station located at 62 Black Mountain Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301.

Registration is not required for this event. This event is open for Brattleboro residents and non-Brattleboro residents.

In addition to the rabies clinic, there will be a variety of services available, including: Rabies Clinic: The rabies clinic is for cats and dogs. The rabies vaccine costs $15 per animal and will be a cash-only service. The rabies vaccine will be the only vaccine available during this clinic.

Clark Street Fire Details

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

Crews from both stations were dispatched at 16:51 to 75 Clark Street for a report of smoke on the third floor and attic area. While crews were responding, dispatch received a second call advising there was a subject on the 3rd floor. Assistant Chief Charles Keir, along with Engine 2, arrived on the scene. AC Keir reported a 2 1/2-story multi-family wood frame building with light smoke showing from the front. Engine 2’s crew made their way to the third floor to report they had located a victim and were on their way out with the victim.

Crews reported there was still an active fire in the apartment. Golden Cross/BFD ambulance personnel transported the patient with significant burns to the arms, hands, and airway to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. A second and third alarm was requested for additional personnel as well as taking into consideration the longer response time due to weather conditions.

Fire at 1178 Western Ave

by BrattFireDept | Police & Fire

Central Station and Station 2 were dispatched at 23:28 on a first alarm to 1178 Western Ave. for smoke on the second floor. Ladder 1 arrived on the scene at 23:32 and FF Chase Ibey reported heavy smoke showing from the second floor of a two-story wood framed structure and requested that a second alarm be dispatched. Ladder 1’s crew stretched a hose line to the second floor to encounter a heavy smoke condition and located the fire in the kitchen/living room area. Engine 2 arrived on the scene and assisted with water supply,fire suppression and ventilation. The fire was reported under control at 00:01.

VT Regional Emergency Medical Services Coordination Study

by RobertOeser | Police & Fire

The “Big Bill,” also known as the state’s funding bill, directed the VT Department of Health to conduct a study on coordinating local and regional emergency medical services. They have hired Emergency Management Matters out of New York to assist in the study that considers:

• Issues related to costs of service, cost effectiveness of various current service models, and cost-effective alternative service models;
• Existing funding models and identify long-term sustainable funding strategies;
• Challenges and opportunities related to local and regional emergency response coordination; and
• EMS district structure, authority, duties, and the number of districts.

About The Meeting to Reveal Brattleboro EMS Issues

by cgrotke | Police & Fire

Last week, the Brattleboro Selectboard voted to reveal the major issues with Rescue that board members have known about but have not shared with the public. At the time, Chair Ian Goodnow said “It will be a meeting prior to our decision with ample time for public participation,” and “We’ll have a new schedule with plenty of notice for everyone.”

The public meeting to tell the full story from Brattleboro’s point of view took place in the middle of Tuesday’s EMS Public Forum, in comments made by HR Director Sally Nix.