Newbury Fire Department Community Activities

 

In addition to its emergency fire and rescue duties, the Newbury Fire Department is involved in numerous community activities.


Newbury Fire Department's Children's Holiday Party Big Success.

The 2015 Newbury Fire Department's children's holiday party was a huge success with 45 children receiving presents from Santa at the Newbury Fire Department. Here are some photos of the children with Santa.


John Mike Croteau Receives 2015 Fire Service Lifetime Achievement New Hampshire Police, Fire, & EMS Foundation for

Chief John “Mike” Croteau was nominated by the Newbury Town Administrator Dennis J. Pavlicek, Fire Chief Henry Thomas and the Newbury Fire Department.

Chief Croteau is a native and lifelong resident of Newbury. Chief Croteau started working at the Newbury Fire Department in 1945 at 15 years of age, a mere 70 years ago. At that time, his dad was the fire chief, and Chief Mike’s main responsibility was to make sure that the cinders from the trains going to and from the Concord to Claremont line bringing tourists to Lake Sunapee didn’t catch the blueberry bushes on fire. While working for the Newbury Fire department all those years, continuing on through the ranks to become the Newbury Fire Chief, just as his dad was, Chief Croteau was also a longtime employee of the State of NH Department of Transportation where he worked as an engineer. Chief Croteau also served in the position as Forest Fire Warden, with many people believing he knew “Smokey” when he was just a young bear! Chief Croteau’s experience as an Engineer came into play whenever any town building work needed to be done, the Town called upon Mike to do the site work and designs.

Chief Croteau has been very involved with fundraising for the Fire Department. You could find Chief Croteau calling out numbers for many years as the Department held bingo during the summers, as well as doing whatever was necessary to make it a success. In recent years, the department holds an annual auction with Chief Mike stepping up to help out as a runner.

Forty years in a profession is an amazing feat, but seventy years makes Chief Croteau a legend. Chief Croteau has been an active Newbury Firefighter for seven decades, and is out every day with the department going on calls.

Chief Croteauu has volunteered for many town groups, boards, activities, and pitches in when something needs to be done.

Chief Croteau really enjoys sharing his stories and experiences with new members of the department. His easygoing manner is reassuring to his fellow firefighters when they need him. He is definitely a role model to all the new members. When you think of Chief Mike Croteau, dedication would be one of the first things that come to mind.

It is with great pride that the NH Police, Fire & EMS Foundation presents Chief, John “Mike” Croteau with a 2015 Lifetime Firefighter Achievement Award!


The annual Newbury Fire Department Dinner is held each May for members of the department, town officials and business leaders as well as representatives of mutual aid partners. The 2004 dinner was held on Saturday, May 1Newbury Fire Department recognized Ken Holmes as 2004 firefighter of the year and Mike Menino for fifteen years of service at the Department's annual dinner. The department also recognized Mount Sunapee Resort General Manager, Jay Gamble, for the resort's donation of equipment to the Newbury Fire Department. Mr Gamble stated that he hoped other Newbury businesses would follow Mount Sunapee in helping to fund equipment for the Newbury Fire Department. (photos by Ken Schuster)


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During the reenactment of Teddy Roosevelt visiting the Fells Estate, in the summer of 2002, the Newbury fire boat (83B1) provided an escort to the antique boat carrying the actor to the estate for a speech. Newbury firefighters on the boat, also assist the NH Marine Patrol during the 4th of July fireworks over the lake in Sunapee.

 


 

Newbury 83M3 at the Bradford parade

The department also participates in parades and other functions, such as the Bradford Fire Department 4th of July parade and parades in Sunapee and New London, the Fall Festival parade in Warner.


 

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The annual Newbury Fire Department Auction

Much of the money needed to purchase equipment and supplies for the Newbury Fire Department comes from fundraising events conducted by the firefighters. The above photos are from the annual auction held at the fire station on August 25, 2002.

The Newbury Fire Department also hosted bingo at the fire station on during the summer for a number of years. Bingo draws between 25 and 50 town residents and visitors each week.

Funds raised in 2001 helped to purchase the cascade compressor system to refill the firefighters air tanks. Other equipment purchased through these donations includes firefighters turnout gear rescue and medical equipment.

The department is grateful for the support of the residents and businesses of Newbury and the surrounding communities that donate items for the auction and participate in the fund raising events.

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