In the two weeks since fire destroyed the Randolph Village Fire Department, help has been pouring in to keep the department up and running.
"The Randolph Town Manager’s office and the Village Fire Department have received an overwhelming response to their call for assistance following a fire at the station on the morning of September 1," a press announcement states. "At this time the town and fire department are in recovery mode."
The department was insured through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and VLCT insurance adjusters have called the building and its contents and total loss. Three of the department's four vehicles were inside and destroyed during the fire. The cause of the fire was determined not to be suspicious.
The recent press announcement states, "In the days to come the town and fire department will be analyzing an appropriate temporary location to house RVFD in order to be fully operational as the department moves forward to rebuild what has been lost."
The Randolph Village Department is currently operating, with borrowed equipment, out of the Randolph Village Garage on Hedding Dr., although communications there are limited to a base set radio and telephone. If needed, computer access and a larger command center is available at the town manager's office.
The department's Engine 1, which was off-site at the time of the fire, is also being stored on Hedding Dr. The town says department volunteers "are fully equipped with loaner turnout gear. No more gear is needed."
Meanwhile, the Randolph Select Board has created two sub-committees to address the department's needs. One will select a new temporary site during reconstruction and another will review potential permanent locations for the department.
The department says a list of further needs will be available in the near future. Fire departments interested in seeing the list are asked to email contact information to the Randolph Village Department.
Randolph has three volunteer fire departments, located in East Randolph, Randolph Center and the Randolph Village Department.
