Fire Department Life

Kid’s dream of being firefighters everyday. At 22, Christian Henault is no longer a child, but he definitely still wants to be a firefighter.

On the job officially for about a month, probationary firefighter Christian Henault gave reporter Heather Cobb a tour of the St. Johnsbury fire department.

Henault is not only a member of the full time staff of the call division, but he is also a full time business major at Lyndon State College.

Henault inherited his love of firefighting from his father and grandfather who both served as volunteers in New Hampshire departments. Christian first worked in the Barnet Fire Department, but then moved to Saint Johnsbury.

The Saint Johnsbury Fire Department deals with various incidents, from EMS calls to fires to car accidents. Because of the variety of calls covered by the fire department all of the full time staff must be EMT’s or have higher medical training.
        
Henault told us that not every day is the same in the life of a firefighter. Each day begins with cleaning and checking equipment. Although these morning duties may seem mundane, they are necessary for safety.

The equipment in each engine goes beyond that of fire prevention or fire protection, trucks also carry a medical equipment. One example of such equipment is a defibrillator.

Teamwork is highly valued within the St. Johnsbury Fire Department. All the firefighters sleep together and eat “together like a family.”

The St. Johnsbury Fire Department covers the larger St. Johnsbury area. The St. Johnsbury Fire Department also helps out surrounding towns in the event that it is needed.

Henault says the department receives an average of four calls a day, but could receive up to 11 a day. Each call costs around two to four dollars per trip within a two square mile village area.

The St. Johnsbury Fire Department has four fire engines that can be used, but some trucks are better suited for certain emergency calls. Engine four has a longer ladder and a basket making it better suited for chimney fires then engine one.

Henault believes that fire week is an important week for young children. This is because fire week allows the fire department to educate the younger generation about fire safety.

The St. Johnsbury Fire Department has someone available to help 24 hours a day. The St. Johnsbury Fire Department is located on 1187 Main Street Suite III.