The Essex Junction Fire Department had another busy year in 2021 between training events, emergency incidents and community events. This year looked a bit more "normal" for us as far as being able to host our banquet and attend some smaller events in the community. This was a very welcome relief to our members, especially after 2020.

EJFD responded to a total of 532 emergency incidents in 2021. 330 of these were fire calls, while we had a record year with 202 medical incidents. We experienced our busiest month in history, responding to a total of 74 fire and medical incidents during the month of September 2021.

A large majority of the incidents we responded to were fire alarm activations, carbon monoxide detector activations, motor vehicle crashes, elevator emergencies, medical calls and other general calls for service. Below is a brief overview of some of the more notable incidents we responded to in 2021:

-Chimney Fire on Cherry Street

-Fire in a basement on Franklin Street

-House Fire on Greenbriar Drive

-Fire in an apartment on Pearl Street

-Brush fire on Indian Brook Road

-Extrication of an operator from a vehicle resting on a cliff on Upper Main Street

-Brush fire on Weed Road

-Lawnmower fire on Cushing Drive

-Apartment fire on Central Street

-Extrication of an operator from a two vehicle collision on Route 15 and Weed Road

-Fire in a condominium on Brickyard Road

-Vehicle into gas meter with major gas leak at KFC on Pearl Street

-Apartment building fire on Weaver Street in the City of Winooski

-Possible overturned vessel in the Winooski River below the power dam

-House struck by lightning on Juniper Ridge Road

-Extrication of a dog from under a couch on Vale Drive

-Truck fire on West Street

-Fire in a garage on Pioneer Street

-Vehicle versus house on Rivendell Drive

-Hazardous materials incident at the Fairfield Inn in the Town of Williston

-House fire on Roscoe Court

-House fire on Horseshoe Drive in the Town of Williston

In 2021 we provided mutual aid to several surrounding communities:

-Williston-22

-Colchester-5

-Burlington International Airport-6

-Milton-1

-Saint George-1

We received mutual aid from several departments throughout the year as well, continuing our excellent working relationship with our neighboring departments.

EJFD personnel once again logged thousands of hours of training throughout the year with several members attending and completing their Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2 and EMT. Personnel also assisted with instructing at the Chittenden County Basic Firefighting Course as well as attending various other courses and seminars throughout the state.

We are looking forward to what 2022 has in store and hope that it brings more normalcy for everyone. We would also like to thank our mutual aid partners from Essex Police, Essex Rescue, Saint Michael's Fire & Rescue, Williston Fire Department, Colchester Fire Department, Colchester Rescue, Burlington Fire Department and Winooski Fire Department for responding to assist us as needed, only asking that we do the same in return.