Firefighters given some recognition

By Conor Berry
Updated: 08/03/2009 12:22:09 AM EDT


Berkshire Eagle Staff

PITTSFIELD -- More than two dozen firefighters from seven Berkshire departments took part in a Saturday afternoon ceremony at the Crowne Plaza to celebrate completion of a rigorous, 10-month training program funded by a federal grant.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant -- a four-year award that primarily funds education, training and recruitment for fire-and-rescue efforts -- was awarded to the Cheshire Fire Department in January 2007, with an agreement that part of the $660,000 grant also would be used to help out the Savoy Fire Department.

The grant primarily provides money to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters, which is often a difficult task in many small or rural communities, according to grant coordinator James Pasquini.

The intensive training took place from September 2008 to June 2009. Participating firefighters came from departments in Cheshire, Savoy, Adams Windsor, Lenox, Lee and Richmond.

The Crowne Plaza was decked out with fire paraphernalia for Saturday’s graduation ceremony, which featured a keynote address by Victor Esch, a Homeland Security official who’s also a firefighter.

Pasquini said a little less than half of the $660,000 grant remains, and that money will continue to fund more training, education and recruitment efforts.

After the grant was awarded, some Cheshire officials were concerned it might jeopardize the small town’s



ability to win more vital equipment grants in the future.
Officials also expressed a desire to explore the possibility of flipping the grant, so it could be used to purchase vehicles and equipment instead. That effort was unsuccessful.

"You still can’t buy equipment with it," Pasquini said of the grant, which will continue to pay for fire-prevention, training and education classes.

Cheshire and Savoy fire officials wanted to share the wealth, so to speak, which is why they took a regional approach and invited other Berkshire towns to take part in the 10-month training program -- a nationally recognized firefighter certification program.