Chester, VT Fire Department

03/29/2026

Ice Rescue Training -

Saturday, 3/28/26 - Chester Fire Department (CFD) along with Chester Ambulance Service took to the icy waters of the reservoir on Water Farm Road to practice our ice rescue skills.

The warmer temperatures allowed for un-stable ice conditions, giving CFD members a realistic training venue when the real situation arises. Thank you Chester Ambulance for standing by and participating!

Pictures courtesy of CAS B. Dyer

03/28/2026

Touch - A- Truck and Easter egg hunt at the American Legion!

We are currently at the American Legion for their annual Easter touch a truck event and breakfast!

Swing over and say hello!

03/28/2026

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT -

Friday, 3/27/26 (2:06am) - Chester Fire Department (CFD) was toned out for a single vehicle motor vehicle accident on VT Route 10 in the area of Amsden Hill road.

CFD responded with Engine 2 along with Chester, VT Police Department and Chester Ambulance Service A1. The scene was checked for hazards while Chester Ambulance members assessed for injuries.

03/21/2026

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT -

Friday, 3/20/26, (11:20am) - Chester Fire Department (CFD) was toned out for a single car motor vehicle accident on Flamstead road.

CFD responded with Engine 2 and Car 1 along with Chester Ambulance Service A1 and Chester, VT Police Department. Once on scene, Chester Ambulance checked the occupants while CFD members checked the vehicle for hazards.

03/18/2026

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT -

Wednesday, 3/18/26, (3:50pm) - Chester Fire Department (CFD) was requested by Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department to respond to the area of RT 103 north and Cavendish Gulf Rd for a two car motor vehicle accident.

The incident was originally reported to have happened in the area near the top of Proctorsville Gulf, initially dispatching Proctorsville Fire and Ludlow Ambulance Service. After searching Route 103, Proctorsville discovered the accident to be in Chester’s fire district.

CFD responded with Engine 2 and Chester, VT Police Department. The incident was determined to be minor in nature and all units returned.

Thank you to Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department, Ludlow Ambulance Service and Ludlow Fire Department for remaining on scene assisting with traffic and ensuring the scene was safe.

03/18/2026

DOWNED POWER LINES-

Tuesday, 3/17/26 (multiple calls) - Chester Fire Department (CFD) was toned out for multiple tree and wire calls throughout town given the high winds we experienced this morning.

CFD responded to Marc’s Drive and Popple Dungeon road to make sure that both scenes were secure.

03/10/2026

MUTUAL AID STRUCTURE FIRE -

Monday, 3/9/26 (6:51pm) - Chester Fire Department (CFD) was asked to respond mutual aid to the town of Winhall with our tanker while they were suppressing a second-alarm building fire.

CFD responded with Tanker 1. Fortunately, after a short time on scene, incident command declared the fire to be under control and all CFD units were allowed to return.

03/02/2026

LANDING ZONE -

Saturday, 2/28/26 (12:36pm) - Chester Fire Department (CFD) was asked to set up a landing zone at the Public Safety Building for Londonderry Ambulance who was transporting a critical patient.
Units responded.

03/02/2026

ODOR INVESTIGATION -

Friday, 2/27/26 (5:32am) - Chester Fire Department was asked to respond to the area of Route 103 and Route 10 for a smell of propane in the area.

While CFD units were responding, Chester C2 who was on scene requested all units to cancel as no odor was found.

03/02/2026

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM -

Wednesday, 2/25/26 (10:16am) - Chester Fire Department was asked to respond to a residence on Farrar Road for a carbon Monoxide alarm that was going off. Units responded.

02/20/2026

Our hearts and minds here at Chester Public Safety go out to the family, friends, and the Springfield Fire Department in remembrance of Chief Lamphere. Your dedication to Springfield and the surrounding communities and will never be forgotten.

Springfield.
Ernest C. “Puggy” Lamphere 89, died on Sunday February 15, 2026 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in White River Jct., Vt. He was born August 25, 1936 in Springfield, Vt. the son of Hyland R. and Bernice I. (Olney) Lamphere. He attended the North Springfield School and graduated from Springfield High School class of 1954. In 1953 He joined the Army Reserves, serving a total of 26 years including time during the Korean Era. He retired with the rank of Sergeant first class.

On June 8, 1975 He married Hallie L. Robbins in Hanover, New Hampshire.

During the late fifties He worked for Ethan Allen Creamery in Essex Jct., Vt. In 1959 He returned to Springfield working for Great Eastern Manufacturing from 1959 to 1969 and working part time for the Springfield Fire Department. In 1969 He was appointed to a full time Firefighter for the Town of Springfield the beginning of a 40 plus year career that spanned the positions of Lieutenant, Deputy Chief and Chief retiring in 2006. During his career in Fire Service Puggy also attended the Community College of Vermont, the University of Vermont and many Fire and Medical Emergency training programs to further his education and training. He also received his Teaching Certificate and worked as a Substitute Teacher in the Springfield Schools. After retirement he continued his education earning his Teaching Degree and becoming the Teacher of the Fire Science Course at the Springfield Tech Center.

Puggy was also a certified football, softball, and basketball official for many years, and served as an official in the Shrine Game.

He served on the Board of Civil Authority, served as Deputy Health Officer, Constable, Deputy Sheriff, Truant Officer, and Health Officer. He was a member and officer with the New England Firefighters Association. He also served as Justice of the Peace and officiated over 600 weddings.

He was a longtime member and Elder of the Springfield Church of Christ. A member of the Springfield Rotary Club, the Robert L. Johnson V.F.W. Post 771 and the Springfield Moose Lodge 679. He also enjoyed golf, bowling, traveling and his dogs.

He is survived by his wife Hallie, two sons Phillip Lamphere (Rosalyn), and Tracy Lamphere (Donna), half siblings; Bradley Morgan and Denise Smith and Sister-in-Law Karen Robbins. Grandchildren; Jerry Farnum (Laura), Ernest C. Lamphere II, Christian Lamphere, Samantha, Michael, Matthew, Ashley and Nicole. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, sister Marjorie Bartley, brothers; Ervin, Francis and Dean Lamphere and daughter Shari Lamphere.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday February 28, 2026 at the Springfield Church of Christ.

Burial with Military Honors will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery in North Springfield, Vt. at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt. is assisting with arrangements.

View Puggy's guest book at the link below:
https://www.davismemorialchapel.net/obituary/ernest-lamphere

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldVTChurchofChrist

02/20/2026

ODOR INVESTIGATION-

Friday, 2/20/26 (9:35am) - Chester Fire Department (CFD) was asked to respond to a residence on river street in the village for a report of an odor of propane throughout the residence.

CFD responded with Engine 2, Tanker 1 and Chester Ambulance Service A1. Once on scene, members swept the building with a gas meter and turned the building over to the propane company.