Grand Isle Volunteer Fire Department

09/10/2026

09/08/2026

🚒 Grand Isle Volunteer Fire Department Open House — Saturday, September 26, 11 AM to 1 PM

As we move closer to fall, we’re excited to welcome our community to our Open House on Saturday, September 26 from 11 AM to 1 PM!

This is your chance to see our fire station, check out our entire fleet, and meet the team that serves Grand Isle. Bring the whole family — let your kids sit in the trucks, talk with firefighters, and enjoy complimentary hot dogs while you’re here.

We’re also taking this opportunity to support another local nonprofit and help feed our neighbors in need. Please bring a few non‑perishable food items for our Food Drive — all donations will go directly to the local food shelf.

We want to thank our community for your incredible support over the years. It’s been a busy year for our crew — from boat rescues to structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and all the other calls that keep us ready 24/7. Our team takes great pride in serving Grand Isle and maintaining a firehouse we’re proud to share with you.

Come see what we do, meet the crew, and celebrate community spirit with us on Saturday, September 26!

09/08/2026

❤️ Celebration of Life for Lt. Fred Mashtare (https://www.fredfestvt.org)

Our community will be gathering to honor the life of Fred Mashtare, a man whose kindness, service, and steady presence shaped Grand Isle for more than four decades.

Fred’s passing was sudden and deeply felt. He wasn’t just a firefighter — he was the person who showed up for anyone who needed help. Middle‑of‑the‑night calls, community events, quiet acts of generosity… Fred lived his entire life in service to others, never asking for anything in return.

As part of celebrating Fred’s life, we invite everyone to join us at FRED FEST, a free family concert held in his honor.

🎶 Featuring: Back in Black – AC/DC Tribute
📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ Doors open at 4:00 PM
🎸 Music from 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 24 Point Farm, Grand Isle, VT
💲 Suggested Donation: $25

All proceeds support Fred’s family.
If Fred ever touched your life — if he helped you, protected you, made you laugh, or simply stood beside you as a friend — please consider supporting his family during this time.

👉 Support for the Family of Fred Mashtare
https://shorturl.at/qffLO

Fred will be remembered with the dignity, respect, and love he earned every single day of his life.

08/13/2026

Training this week covered a new piece of equipment, the TL-9. This goes with our Hurst eDraulic spreaders (Jaws of Life) to help stabilize the tool when lifting. The jaws of life can lift up many tons of weight so it’s important to ensure it is stabilized and won’t title. This training also covered cribbing to keep up with the saying lift an inch, crib an inch.

08/07/2026

Grand Isle Fire is excited to be at this event at Allenholm Farm tomorrow and hope to see you there!

🚒🚓 MEET YOUR LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS! 🚑👋

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday? Head to Farm in South Hero for a FREE First Responder Meet & Greet! 🍎

Bring the whole family to:
🚒 Meet local first responders and explore their vehicles & equipment
🏃 Take on the obstacle course
💦 Catch live demonstrations
❤️ Learn about volunteer opportunities
🎁 Score free handouts & goodies for the kids
🍔 Grab burgers, homemade mac & cheese, tacos and more from The Hive Cafe
🍦 And, of course, save room for a maple creemee!

📅 Saturday, Aug. 8
⏰ 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
📍 Allenholm Farm, 110 South St., South Hero

Come meet some of the people who help keep our communities safe and enjoy a summer Saturday packed with family fun! ☀️🍎🚒

Tag someone who should bring the kids! 👇


*Sponsored content

08/03/2026

Open to all fire departments!

07/27/2026

This spring Chief White sat down with the The Wall Street Journal to discuss the role and need of the volunteer firefighter in the US. In the US the majority of firefighters are non-career often having a full time employment outside of the fire service. The need for more firefighters both career, on call and volunteer levels is more important than ever as numbers are down however call responses are increasing.

Whether in Grand Isle or elsewhere take the time to support your local fire department. Whether attending their open house or fundraiser, saying Hi as they are out at community events or maybe even considering volunteering. Fire departments have many roles from interior, exterior, auxiliary support and other roles and train to your comfort level. Reach out to your local fire department today!

Volunteer firemen is a tradition as old as the nation, but fewer young people are signing up to do the job.

07/24/2026

This week for training we took advantage of the nice weather to do our annual swim testing needed to be on the boat as well as went over the locations of items on the ambulance.

Thank you Ladds Landing Marina LLC for letting us use the space for training!

07/20/2026

Grand Isle Fire is pleased to announce we will be hosting the Vermont Fire Academy for their Firefighter 1 & 2 courses this year.

Registration deadline in August 13th with orientation Thursday August 27 (most classes are Thursday with some Mondays and the occasional Saturday practical).

Below link includes the application, more info as well as the class schedule.