About
Mission Statement:
Kensington Fire Rescue is organized to: save lives; suppress and control fires; and provide other services such as water and ice rescue, emergency medical support for mass casualty incidents,hazardous materials response at the operational level, extrication and scene support at transportation and industrial accidents, response to disasters both natural and man-made, and other events as deemed in the best interest of the fire service and the citizens of the community.
Organization:
Located in the heart of Connecticut, the Kensington Fire Rescue serves a population of close to 20,000 people. The town is split into four distinct districts, each having its own fire
department. These include the Berlin VFD, East Berlin VFD, South Kensington VFD, and us.
Typically we respond to approximately 500 calls each year, including motor vehicles accidents with injuries or spills. The Kensington district is one of the busiest in the town, mainly due to population density and housing layout.
Our department is strictly volunteer, there are no paid personal in the department. The structure of the department is laid out as follows:
Top officers:
- Chief
- Assistant Chief
- Captain
Officers:
- First Lieutenant
- Second Lieutenant
- Third Lieutenant
The department also formed the Kensington Volunteer Firemanan’s Association in 1938 as a social arm of the fire department. This association still continues today, with elected officers presiding over it, as well as regular business meetings.
Please see the history page for information.
Training:
All members receive initial and on-going training throughout their tenure with the department. Upon entering the department, each entry-level member must complete a State Certification program for Firefighter 1. Additional training certification classes are offered on a regular basis under the supervision of the Connecticut Fire Academy, and the department conducts regularly scheduled training and will include such areas as: structural firefighting, vehicle extracation, hazardous materials, cold water rescue, and emergency medical services.
Training is conducted in-house, at the regional training tower, and at the Fire Academy located in Windsor, CT. Additionally, firefighters are training and certified to drive and operate department fire apparatus and equipment.
Social Activities:
In addition to the fire service activities, the KVFD promotes camaraderie and family values with its members. Events are offered for department members include ethnic dinners and semi-annual Town of Berlin Fire Departments’ socials.
Other events that the departments sponsors are the annual family picnic and family Christmas brunch.
Community Relations:
The KVFD supports the community in other areas such as:
o Sponsorship of Boy Scout Troop 256.
o Fire station tours.
o Muscular Dystrophy Association – “Fill the Boot”
o School visits and presentations.
o Fire prevention and safety demonstrations.
o Support and participate in other community organizations.
Kensington Fire Rescue strives towards excellence and being a valuable asset to our community by providing fire protection and education to its citizens.