Brattleboro Fire Chief Mike Bucossi Announces Retirement

Brattleboro Fire Chief Mike Bucossi announced his retirement via twitter this afternoon:

“After 43 years the end has arrived. I have retired from the Brattleboro Fire Department, effective April 1. It has been a fabulous career and a great honor to work with such a talented, dedicated group. I look forward to quality time with my beautiful wife!”


Weather Advisory – Prolonged Bitter Cold Temperatures

The National Weather Service has issued a warning for prolonged bitter cold temperatures Thursday night through Sunday with life-threatening wind chills expected Thursday night through Saturday.

Life-Threatening wind chills of -15 to -30 degrees are possible Thursday night through Friday morning, and wind chills as low as -25 degrees are possible Friday night through Saturday morning. In these conditions frostbite can occur to exposed skin in under 30 minutes and hypothermia can happen quickly.


Brattleboro Civilian Police Board Steering Committee in 2004: And Now in 2020

This document presented to the Brattleboro Selectboard by the Civilian Police Review Board Steering Committee in April 2004 is part of a long process to create a CPB in Brattleboro, Vt. Information on CPB is drawn from www.nacole.org, and leading researchers on the issues of CPB.

Brattleboro Civilian Police Review Board Proposal

Presented by the
Steering Committee for the Brattleboro Civilian Police Review Board


Brattleboro’s Police Budget

There is a current call across the nation to defund the police and to use that money for other things such as human services or education:

“Community groups advocating for defunding have put forward differing strategies, some merely opposing police budget increases, others advocating mass reductions, and some fighting for full defunding as a step toward abolishing police forces. Some initiatives are tied to the fight to close prisons. All are pushing for a reinvestment of those dollars in services.”

What does Brattleboro’s police budget look like?


Elliot Street Fire – Press Release

Fire between 42 & 50 Elliot St – 05/23/2020 – At 10:26p Central Dispatch received a call reporting a fire between 42 & 50 Elliot St. A 1st alarm assignment consisting of Engine 2, Engine 4 and Ladder 1 responded and upon arrival reported smoke showing from the alley between the two buildings and a possible basement fire. Investigating further a fire was discovered in a wooden roof that covered the stairwell that goes down between 42 & 50 Elliot St with some extension into the basement of 42 Elliot. 

At 10:36p the shift captain ordered a 2nd alarm be struck, recalling all Brattleboro Firefighters and bringing all Brattleboro apparatus to the scene. An attack line was stretched down the stairwell and the fire in the roof was quickly extinguished. Entry was forced into the basement of 42 Elliot from the stairwell and a fire around a boarded-up window frame was extinguished. No further extension into the building was found.


Breathalyzer Manufacturer Under Investigation in Michigan

Intoximeters, a manufacturer of breathalyzers used in Vermont, is under criminal investigation in Michigan.

Captain Mark Carignan of the Brattleboro Police confirmed that Brattleboro uses this brand of breathalyzer, and that the use of the machine if coordinated by the state forensic laboratory.

He shared this message from the lab:


Police Chief Comments on Recent Auto Larcenies

Hi All, I wanted to just share some communication from our Brattleboro Police Department’s Chief Fitzgerald concerning the recent increase in auto larcenies. This comes at my request to let everyone know rapidly that the town is aware of the uptick, is pursuing leads, and some further information on current laws regarding these distressing activities. Also please be aware that I’ve requested that either the Chief or Capt Carignan be present at our next two Selectboard meeting to answer any questions from the public. (January 28th and February 4th at 6:15 pm, Municipal Center)

From the Chief:


Downtown Brattleboro Street Snow Removal

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.   

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening.   

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 11:00pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.


Brattleboro Fire Department – Be Careful With Home Oxygen

On Tuesday, December 3 at 8:45am the Brattleboro Fire Department and Rescue Inc responded to a West Brattleboro address for a subject that was burned. Upon arrival it was learned that the 55 year old patient was burned while vaping while he was on home oxygen. A flash fire occurred around the face area of the subject and he received burns to his mouth and nose area. He was transported to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital by Rescue Inc for further evaluation and treatment.


Brattleboro Sub Station Fire Press Release

At 10:25am Engine 2 & Utility 8 responded to the Power Sub Station just south of the Veterans’ Bridge for a reported transformer fire. Upon arrival they had a significant fire in a large power vault and transformer. An attack line was stretched to the area but the decision was made to let the fire burn due to high voltage electric equipment. Green Mountain Power arrived on the scene shortly after the arrival of the 1st fire apparatus and got the power killed to the sight and the fire burned out approximately 15 minutes after that.


Western Avenue Fire – Press Release

At 7:38am Central Dispatch received a call reporting smoke in the building at 929 Western Ave. A 1stalarm assignment consisting of Eng 2, Eng 4, Ladder 1 and Car 1 & 2 responded. At 7:41am Eng 4 reported there had been a fire in the bathroom of Apt 202 which was out, and they had a burn victim and requested an ambulance.


Face of Recovery Film at Library

All,

       BPD with the U.S. Attorney’s office is hosting a viewing of the short film (10 minutes) titled, “Face of Recovery.” The film is about the journey and ultimate success in recovery of Justin Goulet. Following the film will an opportunity for questions/answers and comments for Justin along with U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan. 

The presentation will be 29 August 2019 in the Brooks Memorial Library Main Room at 7:00 PM.  


Hot Weather Advisory from the Brattleboro Fire Department

The National Weather Service is warning that hot temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s combined with high humidity levels are expected to create dangerous heat conditions Friday, Saturday & Sunday with the most oppressive conditions expected Saturday.Early morning low temperatures in the 70s will not provide much cooling.

The Brattleboro Fire Department would like to remind citizens of these few simple rules to remain safe and healthy


Shore Road Building Fire

At 5:05am Central Dispatch received a call for a building fire at 25 Shore Dr. Engine 2 and Ladder 1 out of Central Station and Engine 4 out of Station 2 responded on a 1stalarm. Upon arrival at 5:13am Engine 2 reported heavy fire showing from the front of the building and ordered a 2ndalarm be struck, recalling all off duty Brattleboro Firefighters and bringing all Brattleboro apparatus to the scene. Engine 4 laid a supply line to Engine 2 from a hydrant on Eaton Ave and Engine 2 crew stretched a 2 ½” attack line, knocked down a big volume of fire from the outside, the advanced an attack line to the interior of the house. Information was quickly gathered that all of the occupants were out of the house and uninjured. Extinguishment of the fire continued by the interior crew and as more help arrived additional attack lines were stretched to help with fire attack. The fire was declared under control at 7:18am.


Brattleboro Firefighters Calendar!

Pre-orders are now available for the 2020 Brattleboro Firefighters calendar to benefit the Brattleboro Firefighters Benefit Association. Call the VFW at 802-257-0438 or the fire station at 802-254-4831 to order yours today. Announcements will be made when they are available for pick-up at the VFW or Central Fire Station on Elliott St.