Fire chief calls on state, feds to address volunteer staffing crisis
Vernon firefighters came together this month to celebrate the department’s work, recognize members for their contributions in 2025, and to celebrate those who have given many years of service to the town.
New members as well as those with half a century of service were honored. Private citizens who went to the aid of people in need received awards. And Fire Chief Stephen Eppler addressed the need for state and federal leaders to do something to address the shrinking ranks of volunteer firefighters.
The fire department’s chaplain set the tone for the evening, encapsulating in her invocation what Vernon’s firefighters and EMTs are all about.
“We gather tonight with gratitude for the members of the Town of Vernon Fire Department, people who step forward when others need help the most,” the Rev. Alisa Dickhoff of the First Congregational Church of Vernon said. “We give thanks for their courage, their training and their steady presence in moments that demand calm, clarity and care. We are grateful for the countless ways they serve on difficult calls and long hours of preparation and the everyday commitment they bring to protecting this community.”
Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne, who attended the ceremony along with several members of the Town Council, heaped praise on the volunteers.
“Watching the professionalism and the great things you have accomplished over the years, I can’t say thank you enough,” Mayor Champagne said. “I’m thanking you on behalf of everybody in the Town of Vernon.”
In his remarks, Chief Eppler highlighted the work of the fire department’s EMS division and its team of EMTs who answer more than 5,000 calls a year.
“I’ve had the chance to interact with most of the staff on various calls throughout the year and they’ve been topnotch,” Eppler said. “But you don’t truly understand how great they are until you need to deal with them on a more personal level.”
Eppler said EMTs responded to his father’s home multiple times in the past year.
“Kind, caring and compassionate doesn’t begin to describe the care my father received, no matter how ornery he was,” Eppler said. “These interactions make it clear to me how truly fortunate we are in Vernon for the prehospital care that is provided by the staff of the Vernon ambulance.”
The chief then turned to the crisis facing volunteer emergency services – the sharp decline in volunteerism.
“The ongoing exodus of volunteer firefighters is a crisis … that will necessitate significant change in order to survive and continue serving communities effectively,” Eppler said. “Without these responders’ willingness and ability to volunteer their free time training and responding to strangers in need, community members will be forced to fend for themselves during a fire or medical emergency.”
Since 2008, 12,000 people have left the volunteer fire service each year, Eppler said. In Connecticut, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined nearly 63 percent since 2017.
People are not volunteering or leaving the volunteer service for a variety of reasons, including demanding and time-intensive training requirements, families where both parents work and have limited spare time, the risk of physical danger and mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
“This continued decline in volunteers is having a significant impact on the sustainability of the traditional model of volunteer firefighting,” Eppler said.
One solution, Eppler said, is for training standards that take into account the reality of today’s volunteer emergency services.
“We need to push for state and federal legislation and standards … that set safe but realistic standards geared toward the volunteer fire service,” Eppler said.
Personal recognition
Lt. Todd Cascario was honored as Fire Officer of the Year. He was recognized for responding to a high number of calls, attending professional development programs and leading by example at calls and in the fire station.
Firefighter Ryan Kiely was honored as Firefighter of the Year for his strong participation in department initiatives, response to a high number of calls, and seeking training opportunities to increase his skills and knowledge.
EMT Amy Bassett was recognized for always going above and beyond on calls, providing topnotch care to patients, being an example to others, her courteous and professional work ethic.
Junior Firefighter of the Year James Corrington was recognized for showing initiative, his willingness to learn new skills, and often being the first to volunteer for tasks that benefit the fire department.
Length of Service recognition
Engineer Edgar Jackson was honored for 50 years of service to the fire department and the people of Vernon. “Edgar committed himself to a lifetime of service and our department and community are better because of it,” Assistant Fire Chief Robert Babcock said. “Volunteerism is defined as ‘the practice of doing work for good causes, for little or no pay.’ Edgar has embodied this spirit and we hope to have him as part of our team for even more years to come.”
Laurie Galley, Scott McDonald and Tom McKinney were honored for 45 years of service.
Stan Landry was honored for 40 years of service.
Octavio “Tabby” Muniz was honored for 30 years of service.
Jonathan Bush, Tami Hahn, Steve Augustus and Todd Cascario were honored for 25 years of service.
Alan Arel and Austin Coppinger were honored for 20 years of service.
Pat Dooley, Carol Muniz, Zachary Lopez and Walter Hampton were honored for 15 years of service.
Dan Wasilewski, Andre Lisee, Spencer Padget, Danielle Solito, Randy Magnotta, Heather Graveline and Zachary Laskey were honored for 10 years of service.
Ryan Kiely, Dennis LeClair, Ryan McKinney, Amy Bassett, Kelly Tischbein, Aaron Forsman, Todd Chenelle, Nettie Kenzior, Raheem Vann-Davidson, Tony Granato, Nate Boulette and Stephanie Guerrero were honored for 5 years of service.
Capt. Brian Johnston of Engine Tank - 541 on Prospect Street was recognized for 31 years of service as he retires from the fire department.
Awards
EMTs Danielle Solito and Adam Barney were honored with the Clinical Excellence award and a unit citation for their performance at a heart attack call. The initial call indicated the patient was having a less serious medical event, but the EMTs quickly recognized the severity of the situation, called for a paramedic and transported the patient to a hospital that could treat a cardiac situation. The result was the patient being successfully treated and discharged.
Jose Calixto and Juan Perez were honored with Citizens Awards for going to the aid of a person they saw face down in Bolton Lake. The two men were working at a property on Grief Road adjacent to the lake when they went into the water, swam to the person and prevented them from drowning.
Vernon Public Works driver Doug Haiko received a Citizens Award for stopping to help a mom in distress whose young child was choking. Haiko performed back blows on the boy, dislodged the obstruction and saved the boy’s life.
Lt. Sean Hadden, Lt. Raheem Vann-Davidson, Firefighter David Trojanowski, Engineer TJ Chenelle and Lt. Justin Svensk received a Unit Citation for their response to a large barn fire in Somers.
Diane Carpenter, the department secretary, and Lt. Nettie Kenzior of the fire police received an achievement award for their hard work on the department’s Toys for Tikes program, which served a record 500 children in 2025.