With the assistance of a grant from the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force, we’ve installed two new hydrants. They will help provide quick, easy access to water, especially during the Winter months when ice makes accessing water a dangerous task for fire fighters. The Burlington Free Press has an article here.

Quick access to water is a very important part of rural firefighting. We only have a few thousand gallons of water on our trucks between our engine and tanker, which is only enough to control a small fire without additional water from a nearby stream or pond. A delay of only a minute in getting additional water can be the difference between a fire that is controlled and a complete loss.

If you have a water source on your property and are interested in having a hydrant put in please contact us. Due to limited funds and geographical objectives we will not be able to assist with installing a hydrant in all locations.

Credit: Heidi Sadler

Technically, we should be wearing air packs

Twenty five years ago, a small group of Westford men and women teamed up to form the Westford Volunteer Fire Department. On Saturday, September 8^th, we invite Westford residents, past members, and neighboring departments to join us for a day of celebration.

We’ll provide the band and fun and games. Food will be available, as well as Westford Volunteer Fire Department T-shirts.

This is a great opportunity to see your neighbors, have some fun, and support your fire department. We look forward to seeing you there!

Credit: Ryan Mercer, BurlingtonFreePress.com

Captain Steve Willard performs a tree-ectomy

Severe winds felled a tree on the Westford-Milton road on the afternoon of August 16^th. Members of the department were departing the scene of a fire caused by lightning, and immediately responded to clear the road and prevent possible fires from the entangled power lines.

Credit: Ryan Mercer, BurlingtonFreePress.com

Westford firefighters make sparks fly while Essex firefighters
wait for more water

Westford and Essex fire departments responded to a structure fire on Route 128 near the town line. The structure was heavily involved by the time the first engines rolled up to the scene, and the distance between the structure and the nearest water source prevented firefighters from saving the remaining structure.

The Westford Volunteer Fire Department encourages residents to build ponds on properties that do not have a nearby source of water. We also have limited funding available to put in hydrants at select locations. For more information on pond specifications, or to volunteer your pond or river access as a possible hydrant location, please contact the department at info@westfordvolfd.org.