FERRISBURGH — The Vermont State Firefighters Association in August named Ferrisburgh Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Jeff Vigne, a 30-year veteran of the town force, its Vermont Senior Firefighter of the Year.

Ferrisburgh Fire Chief Bill Wager said Vigne richly deserved the honor.

“Jeff Vigne is in his 30th year as a core member of the Ferrisburgh Fire Department,” Wager wrote to the association in his nomination letter. “Jeff is a well-respected, all-around high performance firefighter who has held multiple leadership positions within the department.”

Wager said Vigne has served the Ferrisburgh department as its president, treasurer and secretary, as well as a training officer, lieutenant and captain, and has also worked on the Vermont Fire Chief’s committee.  

Vigne is also highly decorated by the Addison County Firefighters Association, Wager noted, listing awards as Line Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year. 

Wager described Vigne as an “aggressive fire ground officer and a seasoned interior tactical firefighter” who has and continues to be “instrumental at suppressing many fires, while always watching out for the safety of his crew.”

As well as being involved in department special projects and responding “to the department’s tones both day and night,” Wager added Vigne has been actively involved with its fundraising and grant writing — “including writing a FEMA grant that allowed the department to purchase new self-contained breathing equipment and turnout gear.” 

On top of all that, Wager wrote Vigne “historically took the lead in our department’s fire safety fire prevention program.”

“He directed the in-school fire prevention and fire safety program for 10 years. Through Jeff’s efforts, every child in Ferrisburgh has developed an understanding of ‘stop, drop and roll’ and the value of creating a home fire evacuation plan for themselves and their families,” Wager said. “He also ensures that every student’s home is properly equipped with smoke detectors and has set up a program with Co-op Insurance Company to supply smoke detectors for those that do not have them.”

Vigne also served as president of the Youth Safety Council of Vermont and ran anti-texting demos at high schools throughout the state. For that effort he won the Governor’s Highway Safety Life Service Award.