Crime & Safety

Farmington Firefighters Show Need for Live Fire Training Facility

Want to know more? See for yourself in this video the department just released as part of its fundraising campaign.

Farmington firefighters suit up and respond to reports of a structure fire.  It is not only unclear whether people are trapped in the building but also whether they will be in danger themselves. 

That is an example of a dispatched call 175 volunteer and eight career firefighters might receive at any given moment that opens a video as part of a fundraising campaign for a live fire training facility in town. Whether it's a drill or a real call, these members of the town's three fire stations drop everything they're doing nonetheless and race to the scene when called. 

The Town of Farmington Fire Department has released an eight-minute video that includes footage of training it did at the former Whitman Restaurant and surrounding buildings on Farmington Avenue in July. Those buildings have since been demolished to clear the way for the new Mormon temple. The video is intended to show the public why the town needs a live fire training facility.

Volunteer firefighter Shawn Curtis and Burlington videographer Alyson Grisham of AlysonFilms.com (http://AlysonFilms.com) directed and produced the video.

"The video clearly shows the depth of experience, commitment and sacrifices the Women and Men of the Town of Farmington display each and every time they're called upon, despite the circumstances," Tunxis Hose Fire Chief and Live Fire Training Facility Chairman Richard J. Higley Sr. said. 

The Town Planning and Zoning Commission already approved a proposal to put a training center for firefighters on Round Hill Road behind the town's sewage treatment plant and near the police firing range. But before that can happen, the fire department needs to raise $1 million. 

So far, the town has raised $17,850 for the training facility.

“This is the largest single fundraising project ever undertaken by our firefighters. We have a very aggressive goal is to have all of the money in place and to break ground in July, 2014,"  Farmington Director of Fire & Rescue Services Mary-Ellen Harper said in a statement. 

Town Council Chairman Jeffrey J. Hogan praised the video as part of the fundraising campaign.

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“This is extremely well done and is a tribute to the entire Fire Department and extended community who participated in its production. I’m confident that it will have a huge influence on fundraising.”

You can watch the embedded YouTube video or click on the link provided.

Find out what's happening in Farmingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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