Over the past two years, the Ellington (Conn.) Volunteer Fire Department has become more involved with regional projects, including the regional multi-agency hazmat response team, confined-space rescue services with an industrial partner, and community preplanning program implementation.

This spring the region implemented a mobile data terminal project that included more than 50 fire departments. Applications include automated vehicle location with automated routing-interfaced computer-assisted dispatch, managed mobile Internet access, preplanning and incident management software, instant messaging and specialized communications.

The department also initiated an enhanced, comprehensive preplanning program. An intern from an area university sent direct requests for information to all commercial, industrial and multi-family occupancies. The department also incorporated regional communications interoperability and a standardized accountability and tagging system that is being implemented by 53 area fire departments through the regional fire chiefs association and regional state hazmat response teams.

In addition, the department rolled out an On-Scene Tactical Communications System, which employs a simple-to-use, multi-band radio device to integrate predetermined VHF, UHF and 800MHz channels. This system was developed and licensed by the state's radio interoperability committee and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

The department plans to increase service capabilities through the adoption and use of regional and statewide interoperability resources, expand information management through the use of GIS data, and improve standards of coverage throughout the local community. The department implemented a response database and for several years has been collecting information on responses and services provided to the community. The department intends to review historical incident data and compare this to anticipated parcel and building growth to establish equal response characteristics throughout the response area.

Chief Michael Varney has been a member of the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years and chief since 2000. He serves on the board of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, is a member of the IAFC Emergency Management Committee and is the Connecticut vice president to the IAFC New England Division. Varney is an adjunct faculty member of the Connecticut Fire Academy and serves as the regional state fire disaster plan coordinator. He works full time for the Connecticut Department of Information Technology, where he is responsible for coordination of state GIS projects and co-chairs the statewide public safety communications executive interoperability committee.

Name of Department: Ellington Volunteer Fire Department

Location: Ellington, Conn.

Type: Volunteer

Area served: 30 square miles; population of 15,000

Services provided: Fire suppression, EMS, technician-level hazmat, technician-level confined-space rescue, and regional dive rescue

Size of department: 50

Number of stations: 2

Apparatus: three engines, one heavy rescue, two light rescues, one tanker, one forestry unit, one hazmat unit, one marine rescue unit, two service vehicles and one gator unit

Annual Budget: $142,000