The Okemo Valley will soon have more trained river rescue firefighters, thanks to a just-announced grant from the federal government.
Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department was reportedly awarded over $64,000 for as part of the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. According to FEMA’s website, the goal of this grant is to “meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.”
These funds will be used to offer courses in Swiftwater Rescue Technician and Ropes Rescue Technician training next spring. By summer of 2026, the department hopes that “the Okemo Valley and surrounding area will have a team of 12-15 certified and equipped rescue technicians capable of responding to swiftwater and high angle rescue emergencies.”
According to the department, training and buying equipment for a single rescue technician costs about $10,000, a steep price for a small local fire department to bear alone. Proctorsville Fire, Ludlow Fire, Ludlow Ambulance, Mt. Holly Fire, Plymouth Fire, and Chester Fire worked together last year to found the nonprofit organization Okemo Valley Technical Rescue (OVTR). Support also came from local businesses as well as town governments. The department says that they are also looking at a pending $50,000 donation from an “undisclosed local nonprofit” as well as $5,000 from each town in OVTR.
