04/29/2026
At 10:48pm last evening, Colchester Fire & Emergency Medical Services was requested to assist Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department Inc. with a water rescue. The initial report was one person missing in the water which was confirmed by first arriving Lebanon personnel. Colchester units arrived shortly after and deployed our boat, quickly locating the victim and removing them from the water to Lebanon EMS units waiting on shore. Excellent job by B-Shift members and all responding personnel who contributed to a positive outcome for this person.
The success of this rescue was no coincidence. Aside from years of coordination and establishing relationships between mutual aid partners, what played a critical role in the outcome of this incident was staffing in the firehouse. With 3 personnel assigned to the shift (Shift Commander and 2 Firefighter/EMTs), Colchester was able to immediately provide personnel and a full compliment of rescue equipment to this emergency moments after dispatch. Volunteer personnel responded from their homes directly to the scene, eliminating what would be a substantial delay in resource response. At a time when seconds mattered, the minutes saved meant necessary resources arrived quicker, equipment was deployed earlier, and the victim was rescued sooner.
Preparedness is not a convenience, and staffing the station with qualified personnel ensures a prompt, qualified, prepared response. Emergencies happen at all hours and don't take off days, nights, weekends, or holidays. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our personnel are on duty to serve you promptly and professionally.
