Public Safety News:
Fire & Rescue Live Burn & April Stats, Call 2-1-1 to Report Flood Damage, Accident on Greenbush Road,
May 19, 2011, pages 10 and 21.....

Live Burn Provides Real Fire Experience
by Kay Gault

On Saturday, May 14, the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department held a live burn at the Nichols Farm on Spear Street. An uninhabitable trailer provided a valuable training opportunity for CVFD members, as well as three firefighters from Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department. The volunteer firefighters were able to run evolutions such as Fire Behavior, Hose Handling, Thermal Imaging and Fire Attack through the trailer, practicing structure fire skills and maneuvers in a real live fire situation.
Dick St. George, Charlotte’s Assistant Fire Chief, noted that years ago when he started in the fire service, there were multiple live fires each year, many of them in farm outbuildings, which helped new volunteers get experience in firefighting techniques and kept senior firefighters’ skills sharp. Today’s volunteers have fewer chances to practice in live situations, making this training vital to the department. Many thanks to Dave and Diane Nichols for allowing us access to their property and trailer and to the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary for providing refreshments.
Volunteers are always needed at the Fire Department. Please come join us Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Fire Station.
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Emergency Responses in April

Charlotte Fire Department
Structure Fire 1
Electrical Fire 1
Brush Fire 2
Public Assists 2
Smoke Alarm 1

Charlotte Rescue Service
Medical Transports 10
Trauma Transports 3
Non Transports 7
Patients Transported to Hospital 13
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Homeowners Should Call 2-1-1 to Report Flood Damage

Homeowners and renters in Vermont who suffered damage or losses in floods over the past few weeks should call 2-1-1 to report that damage.  2-1-1 will record all damage information and pass it along to Vermont Emergency Management to assist in its efforts to receive a federal disaster declaration and financial help for homeowners. 
VEM is currently working to estimate private property damage around Vermont to determine if the state may qualify for an Individual Assistance disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  2-1-1, which is a program of the United Way, is an easy to remember central call point for all homeowners to report this damage.  Vermont has received NO disaster declaration for individual or public assistance as yet. 
The state of Vermont needs to show significant damage to private homes to qualify for an Individual Assistance declaration from the federal government. It is imperative that all homeowners who have damages call 2-1-1 and make a report.  However, those homeowners should not expect any immediate relief or assistance when calling 2-1-1. 
If you need immediate emergency assistance call 9-1-1.
 
Information provided by Mark Bosma, Public Information Officer, Vermont Emergency Management, (800) 347-0488, vem.vermont.gov.
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Accident on Greenbush Road

The Vermont State Police responded to an accident on Greenbush Road near the Old Lantern on Wednesday evening, May 11, at about 8:55 p.m. Andrew Peterson from Shelburne, driving north in a Subaru, allegedly crossed the centerline and ran into a John Deer tractor operated by Peter Mack, who was headed south to the Mack farm. According to the police report, Peterson was injured in the crash and transported to Fletcher Allen Health Care where he was later processed for driving under the influence. Mack was not injured.
The Selectboard recently voted to reduce the speed limit in that area to 35 mph.