pOur headquarters station Station 60 is getting some much needed improvements to the roof and HVAC system. Improvements are also planned for the electrical system public address system and ceilings. These improvements willnbsphelp us provide service to the commmuitynbspfor many years to come. Thanks to the Town of Easton for the renovations. Please pardon our mess during construction. The improvements should be completed by early summer of 2012.p

pAt approximately 1123 hours Talbot Center dispatched Station 60 Easton Station 20 Oxford and Paramedic 96 for a building fire at 500 Cadmus Lane in Easton. This building is the former Cadmus Journals printing plant and is undergoing demolition. The caller reported a fire in an air handling unit on the roof of the building. Chief 61 S. Jones arrived at 1127 hours and established command reporting heavy smoke from the roof area. Command ordered the first engine Engine 63 to catch the hydrant on the Delta side and stretch attack lines and a supply line to the truck. The first truck company Tower 61 was ordered to ladder the roof on the Delta side and open up the air handling unit for the engine crew. Crews from Engine 63 and Tower 61 made a quick knock on the fire inside the unit. Crews from Rescue 61 and Truck 23 entered the building and checked for extension. Engine 27 assisted Engine 63 with water after it was determined that the hydrant was out of service. The fire was contained to the air handling unit with no damages to the building itself. It was determined that the demolition crew had been using cutting torches to take the unit apart and had ignited the insulation inside. Crews were on scene for approximately 40 minutes.p

pBon De Croft Fire Department of Sparta Tennessee takes delivery of their new engine former Easton VFD Engine 64 Mr. Bubbles. The engine was purchased to supplement their existing fleet and will make a fine addition. When members of the Bon De Croft Fire Department arrived in Easton they were surprised to learn that the engine had been packed with extra hose nozzles tools and turnout gear. This extra equipment was donated by Easton Trappe and Greensboro fire departments for use by communities in the Tennessee area. A true example of helping our brothers and sisters in need p

pnbsppp classbyline–13294209271780—-13294209271781–span classauthor vcardspan classfnStory and photos by DUSTIN HOLT Staff Writer for spanspanpp classbylinespan classhide source-org vcardspan classorg fnThe Star Democratspanspannbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspp–13294209271782–div idblox-story-text classentry-contentpEASTON A steady stream of donations have filtered into Easton Volunteer Fire Department since department officials asked for the publics help to balance the budget with rising costs and raise between 55000 and 60000 through a fall donation fund drive.ppIn recent years the economic downturn has made it difficult for the fire department to balance its budget with fewer donations coming in than before the downturn. In September the Easton VFD asked for the publics help through a donation mailer.pdiv classencrypted-contentpEVFD Assistant Chief Sonny Jones said the donation mailers have raised about 56000 so far.pdivdiv classencrypted-contentpquotDonations have been fairly consistent as past years and a big help to usquot Jones said. quotWe know with the economic downturn its more difficult for residents and businesses to donate like they could before the downturn. They have been great to us this year and their donations will go a long way to balance our budget.quotpdivdiv classencrypted-contentpEaston VFD which is 100 percent volunteer covers about 80 percent of all emergencies in Talbot County and runs about 1000 calls a year including parts of Caroline County. The department has about 120 members with 45 active members using 15 pieces of apparatus.pdivdiv classencrypted-contentpThe operating budget is about 720000 a year with the fire department responsible to raise about 300000 and the Town of Easton and Talbot County covering the rest. It costs about 1750 to properly outfit a firefighter.pdivdiv classencrypted-contentpIn recent years the EVFD has struggled to raise money through its fall bull roast and even canceled the event two years ago for lack of ticket sales. This year the event rebounded with a sell out raising about 13000.pdivdiv classencrypted-contentpquotWe really appreciate the support for the bull roastquot Jones said. quotThe event has struggled the last few years but the public really helped us this year.quotpdivdiv classencrypted-contentpEaston fire department remains near the top of best fire departments in Maryland. The state rates Easton fire department as a Class 4 rating with nine municipalities rated higher in the state.pdivdiv classencrypted-contentpIn 2009 Easton fire department received the highest rating from the Insurance Services Office which lowers fire insurance rates for local residents.pdivdiv classencrypted-contentpDespite the recent financial struggles Jones said EVFD always will have its doors open ready at a moments notice to help the public.pdivdiv classencrypted-contentpquotTimes are tough now but the public really came to our aidquot he said. quotWe will continue to rely on donations from businesses and the public.quotpdivdiv classencrypted-contentpDonations still are being accepted and may be taken to the Easton firehouse or mailed to the firehouse at 315 Aurora Park Drive Easton MD 21601.pdivdivpnbspp

pemspan classupdated title2012-02-12T070931-0500spanemnbsppp classbyline–13294207504110–span classauthor vcardspan classfnStory and Photos by DUSTIN HOLT Staff Writer for spanspanpp classbylinespan classauthor vcardspan classfnspanspanspan classhide source-org vcardspan classorg fnThe Star Democratspanspannbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp p–13294207504111–div idblox-story-text classentry-contentpEASTON The Easton Volunteer Fire Department honored its members last Saturday at the departments annual banquet and dance.ppMembers with service ranging from one year to 69 years joined their families and local dignitaries for a night of celebration at the Milestone.ppA chicken and roast beef dinner preceded an awards ceremony in which Easton Fire Chief Jamie McNeal recognized top responders life members and awards recipients.ppEvery member in here is important to this department McNeal said. I appreciate everyones effort. You all always go above and beyond for this community.ppFive-year EVFD member Michael Brophy received 2011 Firefighter of the Year.ppMcNeal said Brophy demonstrates dedication and a willingness to always lend a helping hand. He said Brophy had responded to 2079 calls since 2007 the second most in the department.ppA gracious Brophy thanked McNeal for his leadership and being a role model for the department.ppMcNeal awarded Connor Satchell the departments 2011 Rookie of the Year honor. Satchell responded to 318 calls in 2011 eighth most in the department.ppAssistant Chief Sonny Jones received the 2011 Officer of the Year award.ppMcNeal called Jones his right hand at the department.ppThe 2011 Chiefs Award went to engineer Bunky Spies. Though he could not attend the banquet Spies son Jason Spies and daughter Pam Knopp accepted the award.ppLocal dignitaries honored EVFD life member Louis Mullikin for his 50 years of service with the fire department. Easton Mayor Robert C. Willey state Sen. Richard Colburn R-37-Mid-Shore Del. Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio R-37B-Talbot and Del. Addie Eckardt R-37B-Dorchester each gave Mullikin proclamations for his 50 years of service.ppThis is certainly an honor Mullikin said.ppWilley presented the fire department a 5000 check.ppOn behalf of the Town of Easton we want to thank the fire department for the work theyve done this past year Willey said. The public appreciates all you do. We are getting good complements.ppTalbot County Council President Corey Pack presented a 44500 check.ppWe truly could not do it without you. From the Talbot County Council we owe you a debt of gratitude Pack said.ppEckardt said the fire department is a family affair.ppIts volunteerism and its loyalty and willingness to give for your neighbors and others in the community she said.ppMy hat is off to you. Thank you so much for all of those hours and all of the sacrifice. You are the heart of our community.ppThe banquet also was attended by members of the Easton Town Council Talbot County Council and guests from Mid-Shore law enforcement agencies and other fire departments.pdivpp