Avon Volunteer Fire Department

06/24/2026

The Avon Volunteer Fire Department recently recognized the promotion of three department officers, three members’ completion of firefighter certifications, four members’ 20-plus years of service, and welcomed new members.

Promotions
• Lieutenant Michael Galliher has been promoted to Captain
• Firefighter Garrett Long has been promoted to Lieutenant
• Fire Police member Jamison Appell has been promoted to Lieutenant

Firefighter I Certifications
• Ariel Mazara
• Doug Tran
• Daniel Lake

20+ Years as AVFD Fire Police
• Dennis Bianchi
• Jay McCaffrey
• Jack McGuire
• Robert Theriault

Joined the AVFD
• Lara Milhero (Firefighter), Matthew Dileo (Support Firefighter), and Sandy Austin Goldstein (Headquarters) all took their membership oaths at recent AVFD Corporation Meetings.
• Zoey Hatinen became a regular member (Support Firefighter) having served as an Explorer.

About the AVFD
Incorporated in 1943, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department proudly protects nearly 20,000 people living in the 23 square mile area that makes up the Town of Avon. The Department’s mission is to provide fire suppression and prevention, life safety and rescue support, as well as other community support to the citizens of the Town of Avon. In addition, the Department provides mutual aid support to those surrounding communities that, in time of need, may request such assistance.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department prides itself on the selflessness and dedication of its members. The Department operates six companies and 15 pieces of apparatus, including a brush truck, ladder truck, tanker, rescue vehicle, boat, and pumpers. Four stations are located throughout Town – Company 1 on Darling Drive, Company 2 on Secret Lake Road, Company 3 on West Avon Road, and Company 4 on Huckleberry Hill Road. Anyone interested in learning more about the AVFD should call the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) at 677-2644, visit www.AvonVFD.org, connect on Facebook and Instagram at AvonVFD, or stop by the Company 1 firehouse located at 25 Darling Drive any Monday evening after 7:00.

https://avonvfd.org/june-2026-personnel-news-from-the-avfd/

06/23/2026

Waterville Road is closed between Route 44 and Old Farms Road due to a tree down on power lines across the road.

06/22/2026

June 21–27 is .

Knowing what to do during a thunderstorm can help keep you and your family safe.

During a storm:
• Seek shelter immediately in a building or hard-topped vehicle.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• Avoid using electronic equipment that puts you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid showering, bathing, doing laundry, or washing dishes.

Get more lightning safety tips at https://nfpa.social/4dQJEEq

06/21/2026

Start Summer, Stop Hunger: Thank You, Avon

Our annual food drive has been a longtime Avon Volunteer Fire Department tradition, and once again our community showed up when it mattered.

Thanks to the generosity of residents, shoppers, and local supporters, this year’s effort provided both food and monetary donations to benefit the Avon Food Pantry. Cash contributions totaling $1,640 were converted into 82 Stop & Shop gift cards for the pantry.

The photos tell the story best. Shelves that were running low are now stocked with food and household essentials that will help support local families throughout the summer.

Thank you to everyone who donated, and to the AVFD members and pantry volunteers who dedicated their time to making this year’s drive a success.

We are proud to support our community in many ways, and this annual tradition remains one of our favorites. We are grateful to be part of a town that always steps up when neighbors need help.

❤️🚒🥫

06/21/2026

Today, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who show up every day with strength, guidance, patience, and love.

We’re especially grateful for the dads within our department and the families who support our volunteers through late-night calls, missed holidays, training nights, and everything in between.

Thank you for all you do — both seen and unseen.

Happy Father’s Day from the Avon Volunteer Fire Department. 💙🚒

06/19/2026

Last weekend, AVFD members spent two days completing The Principles of Lifting & Stabilization course with Connecticut Custom Fire Training LLC., led by instructors Ted Borowski and Ryan McGlew.

Using the same tools carried on our apparatus every day — including cribbing, high-pressure air bags, struts, hydraulics, chains, slings, and straps — members worked through classroom instruction and hands-on scenarios designed around the equipment they would rely on during a real emergency.

The conditions were hot. The work was demanding. But preparation isn’t built in an emergency — it’s built long before the call comes.

Thank you to CT Custom Fire Training, Wheeler Construction, A-1 Towing & Recovery, Farmington Motor Sports, and Avon Public Works for helping make this training possible.

This is what it takes to serve Avon.

06/17/2026

The work isn’t always glamorous.

It’s hydrants. Pump operations. Stretching hose. Advancing lines. Repacking hose. Practicing the basics over and over until they become second nature.

Because when the call comes, preparation matters.

And every now and then, Monday night drill comes with a sunset reminder that there’s no place we’d rather be.

Interested in serving your community? There’s a place for you at the Avon Volunteer Fire Department.

06/13/2026

If you’ve ever thought about helping us out, showing up for your community in a big way … we’d love to talk with you.

Fire departments are struggling to recruit volunteer firefighters. Here's what you need to know about the nationwide shortage https://www.investigatetv.com/2026/06/11/volunteer-firefighter-shortage-threatens-communities-nationwide/

06/11/2026

Earlier today, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire alarm activation at a residence in town.

Upon arrival, crews quickly discovered a heavy smoke condition on the second floor and requested mutual aid to assist if needed.

After a thorough investigation, the smoke was determined to be the result of an HVAC system malfunction rather than a fire.

Incidents like this are a reminder of why we train, investigate every alarm thoroughly, and call for help early when conditions warrant it. We’d like to thank our mutual aid partners from West Hartford Fire Fighters Local 1241 and Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company as well as the Task Force 54 Tanker Strike Team for their response and support.

With temperatures climbing and summer just around the corner, it’s a good time to check that your air conditioning and HVAC systems are up to date on routine maintenance before the season of heavy use arrives.

06/10/2026

UPDATE (3:17 p.m.): All apparatus and personnel are clear from the scene.

Crews are operating at a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Lovely Street and Hollister Drive. Please avoid the area if possible.