Westport Fire Department Gets New All-Terrain Vehicle

With the help of the organizers of the Fairfield Half Marathon, the Westport Fire Department was able to purchase a new Polaris Ranger 6 x 6 utility/all-terrain vehicle.

The Polaris Ranger will be used to respond to emergencies in areas where conventional fire department vehicles cannot access, according to Deputy Fire Chief Robert Kepchar.

"The six-wheel drive vehicle will be extremely useful during weather emergencies and rescues in normally inaccessible areas," Kepchar said.

Steve Lobdell, director of the Fairfield Half Marathon, had contacted the fire department several months ago to ask if funds from the event could go toward something useful for the fire department.

"The utility vehicle was something we needed to improve our capabilities," Kepchar said. Lobdell agreed.

The vehicle was paid for with funds from the department's budget and a matching gift from the Fairfield Half Marathon event.

The department received approval from the boards of Selectmen and Finance prior to the purchase made last week.

"The Westport Fire Department would like to thank the organizers of the Fairfield Half Marathon for their generosity to the Westport community," Kepchar said.