Pelham Fire Auxiliary

by Lynne Ober

Pelham Fire Department is blessed with an active Fire Auxiliary, that donates time and effort not only to the Fire Department, but also to many organizations in the Pelham Community. The Fire Auxiliary’s core group consists of three active and friendly ladies – Carol Fisher, Joyce Mason, and Charlotte [Vautier] Moore.

“We try to fill in wherever we can,” said Carol. “We just like to help.”

“My first husband was frequently helped by the Fire Department,” said Charlotte. “After he passed away, I was listening to the scanner one day and heard about a fire. It was a very hot day. I thought I’d take some cold water to the men working at the fire, but decided I should ask the Chief first. He told me to go ahead and that was the beginning.”

The Fire Auxiliary started with two primary purposes. “To purchase for the Fire Department some of the items that have not been included in the Town Budget and to provide water, coffee, food etc., at fires and training sessions,” said Joyce.

Last spring they provided refreshments for personnel who took part in the Joint Agency Disaster Exercise held at Pelham High School.

Today they’ve expanded and donate to Pelham Food Pantry, provide scholarships for Pelham High School students, support the Fire Explorer Academy, the Good Neighbor Fund, the American Burn Center and the Burned Children’s Foundation.

After Charlotte first took water to fire fighters on that hot day, she began talking with spouses. “They adopted me,” she laughed. “We decided to form the Auxiliary and here we are today.”

Holding bake sales and raffles to earn money, they have made several large contributions over the years. “The biggest thing we’ve ever contributed was the thermal imaging camera,” said Carol. For that the Auxiliary appealed to Pelham citizens.

“We thought we’d need to raise $25,000 when we first started,” said Charlotte, “but we bought it for slightly less than $18,000.” Sending a letter to residents and businesses in April 2000 when they kicked off the fund-raising campaign, Charlotte recalls that they got a $5,000 check from Raytheon. “Many other groups contributed in town,” she said, “including Pelham Seniors, who donated $1,000 and St. Patrick’s Women’s Club. I can’t remember all of them. The support was fantastic.”

The Auxiliary put a thermometer on the lawn of Central Fire Station and tracked their progress toward their goal. “We were approaching the top when we got an offer from Michael and Michelle Metropolis to top it off. Michelle had been in a serious accident and was very grateful to Pelham Fire Department for the care that they took of her. Their contribution, made on July 28, 2000, was around $3,000 and that allowed us to purchase the camera.”

“We had a great time looking at the various thermal cameras and learning what they do and how they can help save lives in fires,” said Carol.

Over the years they’ve contributed many other items. The Auxiliary bought a used Hovercraft Boat, the Sawzall used in car accidents, the Rescue Alive Sled, 15 personal rope rescue kits, the Chief Mansfield plaque, 3 portable defibrillators, 3 EMT jackets, a drill, refrigerator, 4 shelf cabinet and bunk beds.

“We’re waiting to see what happens with the grant and construction at the Fire Station,” said Joyce.

“We think we’ll have to buy some furniture for the newly constructed space,” said Carol.

“You’ll see us at the election, holding a bake sale. Stop by and buy something and say hi,” said Charlotte.

The contributions made by these three women to Pelham are part of what makes Pelham a great place to live.