Essex Junction Fire Department

05/11/2026

On Sunday, May 10 at approximately 2203, the Essex Junction Fire Department, Essex Fire Department and Essex Rescue were dispatched to respond to 24 Loubier Drive in the City of Essex Junction for a reported structure fire.

LT Leclair immediately requested a second alarm be transmitted for the incident, which brings in the following mutual aid: ladder from Williston Fire, engine from Vermont Air National Guard Fire, engine from St Michael's College and an engine from Winooski Fire for station coverage.

While en route, dispatch updated that Essex Police were on the scene with a confirmed fire and that everyone was out of the home.

Car 9 responded and arrived on the scene to find a single story, wood frame, single family dwelling with smoke showing from the garage of the structure. Car 9 assigned Engine 7 with fire suppression. E7 arrived and stretched an attack line into the structure, finding smoke and fire conditions in the garage. Ladder 3 responded and arrived shortly after and was assigned as the truck company to search and check for extension. L3 crew conducted a primary search of the residence and confirmed everyone had made it out prior to our arrival. L3 and E7 crews found minimal fire extension into the residence itself, and most of the fire damage was contained to the garage. Crews found near zero visibility throughout the residence while operating. The fire was quickly contained to the garage and doorway to the residence.

Crews then transitioned to overhaul and ventilation of the structure which were assigned to personnel from Essex Fire and Williston Fire. The remainder of the second alarm assignment staged on scene but were ultimately not utilized.

An investigation was conducted on the scene which revealed the cause of the fire was determined to be improperly discarded smoking materials inside the garage. The garage portion of the residence sustained smoke, fire and heat damage while the interior of the home sustained smoke damage. EJFD would like to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of properly discarding smoking materials which include ensuring the material is fully extinguished, is placed in a non-flammable container and is placed outside of a building and not close to a building.

Photos provided and taken by: Troy Austin

02/18/2026

Our crew with Ladder 3 assisted for just over an hour, with building evacuation, overhaul and salvage.

On 2/17/26 at about 15:41 hours, the Essex Fire Department was dispatched to an activated fire alarm at 27 Susie Wilson Rd, the Susan's Place Apartments. Almost immediately, the Essex Police Department dispatch Center received additional alarms from the building. The call was upgraded to a dual response which also brought the Essex Junction Fire Department. Crews arrived on the scene to find an apartment on the second floor had a fire on the stove. The building fire sprinkler system functioned as designed and kept the fire from spreading rapidly. Fire crews confirmed the fire was contained to the apartment with no extension to the rest of the building except for smoke and water damage.

An investigation into this fire determined it was due to unattended non-food items left rendering on the stovetop. The Essex Fire Department wants to thank the Champlain Housing Authority staff for their rapid response and help during this incident. We also want to thank our Essex Junction Fire Department family for their steadfast support.

01/11/2026

01/03/2026

Thank you WCAX-TV for coming and speaking with us about these important topics.

House fires on the rise across the region; chimney and wood stoves spark many - https://www.wcax.com/news/2026/01/02/house-fires-rise-across-region-chimney-wood-stoves-spark-many/

01/02/2026

As we close out 2025, here’s a snapshot of how your Essex Junction Fire Department served the community this year:

📞 666 total calls for service
📈 14% increase in call volume from 2024 (572 calls) to 2025
🚑 Approximately one-third of all calls were EMS First Response
🔥 Fire incidents and alarms remained steady year over year
🚗 Motor vehicle crashes increased slightly in 2025
🏘️ Hundreds of unique locations served across the city

From medical emergencies and fires to vehicle crashes and public assistance calls, our firefighters and EMS providers were ready when our community needed them—24/7, year-round.

Thank you to the residents of Essex Junction for your continued support. We’re proud to serve and ready for what 2026 brings.

https://www.essexjctfire.org/single-post/2025-year-in-review-a-closer-look-at-call-volume

12/28/2025

Last night, crews responded to a fire on Willeys Court. This is the 9th residential fire in the City of Essex Junction this year. This is a significant increase from the previous four years, during which we had a combined total of 11 residential fires in the City.
2024: 2
2023: 1
2022: 3
2021: 5

Chimney and stovepipe fires have also been on the rise, with 3 in the last 45 days. Residents should have their chimneys and Stovepipes cleaned and inspected annually before use. Chimney/stovepipe fires can become blowtorches, with temperatures exceeding 2000 degrees, igniting nearby lightweight building materials.

Always call 911 to report an emergency, not our fire station, as we do not have an operator available 24 hours a day. Calling 911 will ensure the proper dispatch of resources for the emergency.

Essex Fire Department
Essex Rescue, Inc.
Essex Police Department - Dispatchers
Saint Michael's College Fire and Rescue

12/20/2025

***Update***
@1850 command reports chimney fire is out and crews are clearing the scene.

*** Emergency Scene***
Crews are responding to Seneca Ave for a Chimney Fire. South Summit is closed at the crossroad as crews are using the Hydrant and the supply line crosses the road.

12/01/2025

November is going to go down in the books as the slowest call month of 2025 for EJFD, with only 44 calls. 626 calls this year, which is 100 calls over last year on 1 Dec. What that number doesn't tell you is that in the previous 10 days, the department responded to 22 calls. The attached map is from the National Emergency Response Information System and shows the locations of all calls over the last 10 days.

EJFD switched to NERIS on November 1st, as NFIRS, the old national reporting system, is being sunset at the end of 2025. This change is intended to reduce duplicate reporting that NFIRS experienced due to mutual aid reporting, where a single call could be reported by multiple departments as separate calls. Additionally, the new system is looking to better track emerging hazards across the fire service. This swap has been extensive, as the muscle memory for call reporting has changed, and the administrative time per call for responding members has increased.
https://www.essexjctfire.org/call-volume

11/03/2025

Alright, we know today is the easier of the two Daylight Saving days, but it's still rough. As you try to make it through your evening and cope with the fact that the Sun set before 5 pm, we don't want to add stress or more to your list, but "Protecting Lives and Property since 1893" is our motto.

We know everyone knows to turn their clocks back, and many know to check their smoke detectors. However, we wanted to provide a checklist for everyone with some additional good ideas to check or do during Fall Daylight Saving Time as we prepare for winter. This is not everything, but these ones could save your life or protect your property.

10/31/2025

Today, we honor Assistant Chief John Rowell, who is retiring after more than 40 years of dedicated service to the Essex Junction Fire Department.

John joined the department in June 1982 and, through hard work, mentorship, and steadfast leadership, rose through the ranks to become Assistant Chief. Known by all as a calm and steady presence, John was a voice of reason, a mentor to countless members, and our unofficial Human Resources Chief, always taking the time to know each firefighter personally.

On the fireground, John was a solid and reliable leader, an officer who brought calm to chaos and confidence to those around him, especially during some of our toughest calls. His leadership will have a lasting impact on this department and the community we serve.

Beyond the firehouse, John’s service extended throughout Essex Junction. Serving as a Boy Scout Pack leader, coaching Little League, or serving as the City Health Officer. John’s name was synonymous with community. The next Memorial Day Parade won’t feel quite the same without hearing “Hey John!” or “There’s Mr. Rowell!” from the crowd.

Assistant Chief Rowell, thank you for your decades of dedication, mentorship, and friendship. Your legacy will live on through the members you’ve guided and the community you’ve served so well.

Please join us in congratulating Assistant Chief John Rowell on his well-deserved retirement!