From the Eastford Independent Fire Company #1, Inc.
It all began in December 1917 with a major fire on Sumner Hill Road, followed shortly by more major fires in January 1918. These events caused a great deal of concern about protecting our town. On May 22, 1939, a committee of the town’s concerned citizens decided that Eastford needed some fire protection.
On April 7, 1942, it was determined there was enough interest to form a fire department. At the May 5, 1942 meeting, the records showed that 41 men were designated Charter Members. Fast forward to June 3, 2025 — and 83 years later, the EIFC may be small in membership numbers, but we are “EIFC STRONG” in dedication, commitment and training. Happy Birthday, EIFC!
Tuesday, June 3 was our annual dinner/business meeting celebrating our 83rd birthday, followed by election of officers to serve from 2025-2027. They are as follows:
Chief: Doug Beaudoin
Deputy Chief: James Roy
Captain: Gordon Spink
Captain: Dave Jakubowski
EMS Lieutenant: Steve Kitson
President: James Roy
Vice President: Jeannine Spink
Board of Directors, Members-at-Large: Zac Bertram, Dennis Desaulnier, Lincoln Budd
A service pin was presented to Jeannine Spink marking 40 years of active service to the EIFC.
The department responded 27 times in March, 13 times in April, and 21 times in May. Recordkeeping, started in 1975, showed 43 responses to fires. In 2024, the department responded to 240 fires and medical emergencies.
Seventy fire department flags were installed at the Grove Cemetery, plus three in Ashford, and four in Southbridge (MA) honoring firemen, fire police, EMS, and Ladies Auxiliary who have passed.
On May 10, the EIFC held an Open House in conjunction with Experience Eastford. Members marched or drove trucks in the Memorial Day Parade on May 26.
On June 12, the Eastford School Citizenship Award, sponsored by the department in its 65th year was presented to Allie Beausoleil. The criteria for this recognition are for a graduate who demonstrates leadership, respect for school and community rules, involvement in school and community affairs. Congratulations, Allie!
Be prepared for heat emergencies — hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Excessive heat emergencies have caused more deaths than other weather events. Heat waves are a prolonged period of excessive heat, combined with high humidity. Generally, temperatures are 10 degrees or more above the average high. What happens to the body as a result of exposure to extreme heat? The body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body cools itself by sweating, then stops. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain and/or other organs. What is dehydration? Heavy sweating with extreme thirst, dry cracked lips, gray, pale, cool skin, anxious, irritable, restless. Treatment is very simple — provide plenty of fluids and encourage drinking often to maintain hydration.
Heat emergencies have three categories:
- Heat Cramps – Painful muscular cramps produced by heavy sweating and loss of body salts.
- Heat Exhaustion: Mild shock caused by excess high body temperature from exertion or hot environment – weakness, dizziness, heavy sweating.
- Heat Stroke – A potentially fatal rise in body temperature due to internal heat regulation failure. A person is not sweating. The common denominator of the three heat emergencies is to hydrate and evacuate to cooler areas. Call 911!
- Submitted by Jeannine Spink, Veteran Member