Vernon Double Dips On Fire Training, Cemetery Maintenance

VERNON, CT — Vernon Cemetery Superintendent Kevin Bowman recently came up with an innovative idea in his efforts to get grass to grow in a pesky section of Valley Falls Cemetery.

Host a Vernon Fire Department train ing session.

Since there is no irrigation available in the area where the seed was spread and water from a garden hose was inadequate for the job, Bowman figured why not. After all, he is a longtime member and engineer with the department and a pumper truck would get a lot of water onto the ground where he was trying to grow the grass.

And the time can be credited toward training for firefighters who are learning to become drivers and pump operators.

In came Engine Tank 541 from the Prospect Street fire station.

"We encourage town departments to look for ways to work together to support each other's missions and save taxpayer dollars," Mayor Dan Champagne said.

Last week was relatively dry and Bowman and a colleague used the truck to irrigate Valley Falls. This week, the weather is cooperating in terms of rain, but Bowman plans to continue irrigating the cemetery with the fire truck and offering training hours.

"Operating a pumper needs to be second nature to our engineers," Bowman said. "And that comes from continuous training driving the trucks and operating the pumps. At a fire scene, seconds count. Any opportunity to drive the truck and operate the pump is worthwhile."

Town Administrator Michael Purcaro commended Bowman for his creativity.