By KATY SAVAGE
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CHESTER, Vt. —Steve Vertefeuille calls the Chester Fire Department chief just about every day with ideas. He’s always trying to make the fire department better and safer.
Vertefeuille, 56, a carpenter and captain for the department, just built a new truck under-wash for them to prevent rusting. He recently constructed a doll-size house to teach children about fire safety. He puts up shelves and brackets at the fire department on weekends.
When he’s not building something, he’s teaching.
“He’s willing to meet whoever wants to learn more, whoever wants to train more,” said firefighter Larry Edwards.
Edwards nominated Vertefeuille for the Canary #WeSalute First Responders contest, which recognizes responders across the country by allowing people to salute the most dedicated. Canary makes home security systems.
“I mainly did it out of appreciation for Steve,” Edwards said.
Vertefeuille has been a member of the fire department since he moved to Chester four years ago. He has been in the fire service since 1997, previously serving in Connecticut. He moved to Vermont for work opportunities.
“We love the area,” he said. “I told my wife one of my prerequisites when we were looking for a place to rent was it had to be near a fire department. I like to volunteer my time and give back to the community.”
Vertefeuille wanted to be a firefighter since he was 10. He was inspired by his uncle, who was also a firefighter. The Chester fire captain remembers watching his uncle build a model fire truck on his kitchen table. He became fascinated with trucks and equipment.
“I got the bug right then and there,” Vertefeuille said.
Vertefeuille rose to lieutenant for the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department in Connecticut before moving to Vermont.
He said being part of a fire department is like being part of a brotherhood.
“It’s not just about one person,” he said. “I don’t consider myself a hero. It’s a team effort. I like being challenged. Every single call is different. Each fire is different, each water rescue is different. It’s a challenge for me personally. It makes you think outside the box.”
Vertefeuille taught Edwards, a licensed commercial driver, who joined the fire department two years ago, everything he knows about operating the fire trucks. Vertefeuille makes people feel safe at calls, both his fellow firefighters and the people he’s there to help.
“He’s always checking on people to know if they’re okay,” Edwards said. “It’s just as sense of security when you’re inside [a building] with him. He’s got your back and he’s always looking out for you.”
The Chester Fire Department responds to about three structure fires a year. It also helps with rescues and car accidents.
“It’s helping people in their time of need when they’re having the worst day in their life,” Vertefeuille said. “It’s just a good feeling that we’re helping people that don’t expect to get help.”
Vertefeuille responds to just about every call. He also goes to the fire station on weekends, just to work on equipment or do trainings.
“I love going down there and just spending time there,” he said. “ It’s a quiet place for myself. I can relax there.”
His childhood fascination with trucks and engines has become a “labor of love,” he said.
In addition to being captain, Vertifuelle is head of maintenance on the fire department. He’s planning to build shelves to hold HAZMAT equipment in a new trailer the fire department is expecting will arrive shortly.
“Honestly, he is one of the best additions to the fire department in many years,” Chester Fire Chief Matt Wilson said. “He is my right hand. I don’t know what I would ever do without him. I have already told him that he is not allowed to leave until I am ready to retire.”
The #WeSalute First Responders contest began April 24 and ends June 7. About 117 fire departments and responders who receive the most salutes by voters will win a Canary Home Security Device.
“He sticks out in my mind when you think, ‘firefighter,’” Edwards said. “He’s there for me and everybody else.”
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