The Vista Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1941 to serve Vista Fire District No.1. Located on Smith Ridge Road (Rte. 123) in the Town of Lewisboro in Westchester County, New York, the Vista Fire District encompasses the area bordered by South Salem to the north, Pound Ridge to the west, Ridgefield Connecticut and Wilton Connecticut to the east, and New Canaan, Connecticut to the south. In addition to providing the area's fire protection, the VFD provides ambulance service, rescue services, hazardous materials response, and non-emergency community services.

Lewisboro Online visited the Vista Fire house and Chief William Dingee to talk about the operations of the VFD, the needs of the Department, and better understand how residents can improve the safety and security of their own homes. Here is what Chief Dingee had to say:

I have been a member since July 1983 and have lived here since 1984. I became a member when I worked in town, but lived in Ridgefield, CT. Our bylaws allow you to be a member even if you don't live here as long as you work in town. I then moved into town soon after and lived above the Director's Chair Restaurant (now Nino's) for several years and now live on Glen Drive.

Tell us about your background and experience and how it has prepared you as Chief of the Vista Fire Department?

I started as a volunteer firefighter with Vista, and then firefighting became my career as I became a paid firefighter with the Ridgefield, CT Fire Department in 1986. After three years in Ridgefield, I left to become a paid firefighter in Westport, CT where I am currently a Lieutenant. I also have served as Deputy Fire Marshal for the town of New Canaan, CT since 1993.

Being a firefighter in several different departments gives me a different perspective on how fire departments are run. I try to incorporate the best of these departments into the Vista Fire Department. I believe in training my officers to one day replace me as Chief of the department so I involve them in decision-making and try to get them to attend the same training I have attended.

A key issue is the communication between our officers and our members as all of us have special skills and ideas to offer to make our department better. In return everyone feels that they make a difference in how we serve the public.

Tell us about the VFD, its members, equipment, workload, and challenges?

The Vista Fire Department is made up of 40 volunteers who are landscapers, accountants, security guards, insurance salesmen, painters, tradesmen and housewives. We train very hard to meet the constantly changing needs of the citizens of the Vista Fire District and surrounding fire and EMS agencies. We must constantly update our procedures to meet local, state and federal laws, as well as the types of calls unique to our area and preparation for larger scale incidents such as weather related emergencies and the possibility of a terrorist attack.

Has 9-11 influenced the activities of the VFD? How?

Several of our members went down to ground zero to help. Other members of the department received donations of clothing and food that was delivered to the Red Cross to be distributed to workers at ground zero. Most recently we held the "Operation Shoe Box" drive for donations of needed items for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Operationally, we have made specialized equipment purchases and have received training in responding to terrorist type incidents.

What is the relationship between the VFD and other neighboring fire departments? Do they work together? How?

We have a great working relationship with our neighboring fire departments in New York as well as our bordering towns in Connecticut. We rely on each other for manpower and additional resources such as fire engines, tankers and rescue vehicles during structure fires and motor vehicle accidents. We all practice together at "Live Burn" drills to practice realistic scenario firefighting fighting in houses that are donated to us to burn.

What are the greatest needs of the VFD, and how can residents support the VFD?

We are always in need of additional members. Residents who wish to help the community as EMTs or firefighters can join our department. They will receive the training need to be a firefighter or EMT. Besides helping neighbors during their time of need, our members are part of the firehouse family that has several social events through the year and it is a great way to meet other families who live in town.

As Fire Chief, what advice would you give residents of Vista? What kinds of things would you like to see every resident do or have in their homes to improve their safety?

Smoke detectors are #1 in saving lives from fire. Early warning is our best defense against injury or death from fire. Also having a home escape plan will help all family members to exit the house safely during a fire. Having fire extinguishers and knowing how to use them will help you to extinguish small fires.