Underhill Jericho Fire Department

07/29/2026

Pump & Drafting Operations

Tuesday night’s training continued our focus on pump operations and water supply, this time working on drafting from a portable pond.

While hydrants provide much of the water supply in more developed areas, many parts of Underhill and Jericho do not have access to a municipal water system. At these incidents, firefighters must establish alternative water supplies using tankers, portable ponds, and drafting operations.

Crews practiced deploying a portable pond, establishing a draft, operating the pump, and maintaining a continuous water supply while flowing multiple handlines.

These skills are especially important in our rural communities, where establishing and maintaining an effective water supply can be one of the biggest challenges at a structure fire.

Different water source. Same goal: getting water where it needs to be when it matters most.

07/27/2026

Pump Operations Training

Training continues as our members work on the fundamentals of pump operations and water supply.

This session focused on establishing a hydrant water supply, operating Engine 11’s pump, and deploying a master stream. Members practiced the process from making the hydrant connection and establishing a reliable water source to managing pump pressures and supplying a high-volume master stream.

Regular hands-on training like this helps our pump operators build the skills and confidence needed to efficiently establish and maintain water flow on the fireground.

07/23/2026

Engine 4 Has Arrived!

After a journey that began back in November 2022, the Underhill Jericho Fire Department is excited to announce that our new 4x4 Engine 4 has officially arrived!

We recently shared an update as Engine 4 was nearing completion at E-One in Ocala, Florida. Today, we’re excited to finally welcome it home to Underhill and Jericho.

Built with our community and terrain in mind, Engine 4’s four-wheel-drive capability will help our crews navigate the steep hills, rural roads, long driveways, and challenging Vermont weather we regularly encounter.

There are still a few final steps before Engine 4 is placed into service. Lettering and striping are being completed, followed by installation of its radios and equipment. Our qualified drivers and pump operators will then begin training and familiarization with the new apparatus.

Engine 4 joins our recently delivered Squad 52, bringing together both apparatus ordered as part of this project nearly four years ago.

We’re looking forward to getting Engine 4 equipped, our members trained, and this new apparatus serving the communities of Underhill and Jericho!

Stay tuned — we’ll share more as Engine 4 gets ready to officially go in service.

07/21/2026

06/02/2026

Motor Vehicle Crash – Jericho, VT

Location: Skunk Hollow Road at White Oak Drive

Incident:
On June 1, 2026, at approximately 8:26 p.m., the Underhill-Jericho Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection of Skunk Hollow Road and White Oak Drive for a reported two car motor vehicle crash.

Upon arrival, emergency personnel found two vehicles involved in a head-on collision with significant damage. Firefighters, EMS providers, and law enforcement personnel worked together to secure the scene, assess hazards, stabilize the vehicles, and provide patient care.

A total of 24 members of the Underhill-Jericho Fire Department responded to the incident with assistance provided by Essex Rescue, Richmond Rescue, Williston Fire Department, and the Vermont State Police.

Traffic in the area was impacted for approximately three hours while emergency crews managed the scene. We appreciate the public's patience and cooperation during this time.

Three occupants were transported from the scene by EMS with non-life-threatening injuries. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation by the Vermont State Police.

The Underhill-Jericho Fire Department extends its sincere appreciation to our mutual aid partners for their assistance and continued commitment to public safety.

As a reminder, motorists are encouraged to remain attentive while driving, eliminate distractions, wear seat belts, and adjust their speed to roadway and weather conditions. Additionally, Vermont law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles operating on or alongside the roadway.

05/29/2026

Tuesday’s training at the Lee Davis family property continued to build on VES (Vent, Enter, Search) rescue operations and coordinated fire attack in a heavily smoke-charged environment with extremely limited visibility.

Crews operated in teams with distinct objectives — one team conducting primary search and victim rescue, a second team advancing fire attack to the second floor, and additional firefighters continuing searches for any remaining occupants.

Training in realistic, low-visibility conditions helps reinforce communication, teamwork, and the critical skills needed to locate victims, control fire conditions, and operate safely when seconds matter most.

The Underhill Jericho Fire Department would again like to thank the Lee Davis family for allowing us to train in a real-world environment that strengthens our readiness to serve the community.

05/29/2026

At the Underhill Jericho Fire Department, our EMS First Responders are often among the first to arrive when someone in our community needs help most.

These dedicated volunteers respond to medical emergencies with professionalism, compassion, and a commitment to serving others. From medical calls and motor vehicle crashes to assisting our partner rescue agencies, they bring training, teamwork, and calm under pressure to every response.

Our EMS team is made up of neighbors, professionals, parents, and community members who volunteer their time to help others — because serving this community matters.

Please join us in recognizing and thanking the members of our EMS First Response Team for their dedication and service.

Different backgrounds. One team. One mission.

05/27/2026

On Monday the UJFD members assisted with and participated in the Underhill/Jericho Memorial Day parade. The parade ended at the Veteran’s Park where we gathered to honor those who gave their lives for our country.

05/20/2026

Tonight’s training at the Lee Davis family property focused on VES (Vent, Enter, Search) and rescue operations, with crews practicing victim removal from a second-story window down a ground ladder.

Even in 90-degree heat, our members continue to work hard to remain proficient in these critical life-saving skills. To help reduce the risk of heat-related injuries during training, firefighters assigned to receive victims on the ground ladders were not required to wear full bunker gear.

The Underhill-Jericho Fire Department would like to thank Lee Davis and family for the opportunity to train on their property. Training in real-world environments helps reinforce the fundamental skills needed to provide a fast, effective response when our community needs us most.

05/19/2026

This week, we recognize and thank the dedicated EMS professionals and volunteers who answer the call every day to serve our communities.

At the Underhill Jericho Fire Department, our EMS first responders — alongside our partner agencies Essex Rescue, Richmond Rescue, Fairfax Rescue, and Cambridge Rescue Squad — respond to a wide variety of emergencies with professionalism, compassion, and commitment, often during someone’s worst day.

Their training, teamwork, and willingness to serve make a difference in the lives of countless people each year. Whether career or volunteer, EMS is more than a job — it is a commitment to helping others when they need it most.

Thank you to all EMS providers for your service, sacrifice, and dedication to the communities you protect.