Members (10): Rod, Michelle, Marty, Deb, Alan, Ed G., Emma, Ed M., Jeff, John
Guest: Springfield Fire Chief Paul Stagner (speaker)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Penny Sale was very successful with about $17,000 netted.
• Food Drive will be 11/22.
• Books will be distributed to Chester Elementary School on 11/22; date for Union Street TBA.
• As part of Rotary's Environmental Focus, John Somers has volunteered to compile the total amount of plastic (besides plastic film) recycled in Springfield.
TREX PLASTIC CHALLENGE UPDATE
The 14th bench that honors Lori Muse Gurney and the club’s 95th anniversary has been assembled and is awaiting pick up.
We have started collecting towards out 15th bench which will be given to Union Street School. We have collected 282 pounds of plastic film towards our goal of 1000 pounds
To date, 12,430 pounds of plastic film (over 6 tons!) have been removed from the waste stream since we started this project in February of 2023, delivered to Shaw’s Supermarket, and heading to Trex Company for recycling.
Please continue to bring your plastic film to the Springfield Town Library. NOTE: We need volunteers to help sort the plastic at the Library. For more info, contact Alan.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
November 11
Ashley Newton
Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VVLC)
November 18
TBA
November 25
No Regular Club Meeting
Happy Thanksgiving
NOTE: Programs are updated on the club website.
The next board meeting will be at noon on Thurs., Nov. 13, 2025 in the conference room of Senior Solutions. Minutes of the board meetings can be found on the club website. All members are welcome to all board meetings, your input is valued, please come!
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Club Director Jeff welcomed all to the November 4, 2025 club meeting held at the Springfield Area Parent Child Training Center. For the thought of the day, he offered two quotes. The first attributed to Leo Tolstoy, "Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness." The second attributed to Kim Reynolds: "Our military, police, and first responders risk their lives to protect ours, and so today-and every day- we should thank those who serve and honor those we've lost. "
BOWL OF LIFE: (members put three things about themselves on paper and place into a bowl and then we try to identify the member)
This member's clue was: "Owns a 1952 Massey Pony Tractor" — No one fessed up.
HAPPY EVENTS:
Jeff: Penny Sale success
Jeff: Chief Paul Stagner
Alan: Penny Sale success
Alan: Chief Paul Stagner
Emma: Trick or Treating with family dressed as Paw Patrol
The weekly prize of $5 was won by Emma. The big raffle grows to $141.
PROGRAM:
Fire Chief Paul Stagner provided a wide-ranging update on the state of the Springfield Fire Department, current public safety trends, and ways the community can help reduce preventable emergencies.
The Chief began by highlighting the changing nature of fire service work. While structure fires remain a core part of their mission, emergency call volume is now dominated by medical responses, vehicle incidents, hazardous materials situations, and smoke alarm activations.
“We are the community’s first call for so many problems now,” the Chief told members. “Our job is broader than most people realize — and we have to stay ready for everything.”
He noted that the department’s biggest challenge is staffing. Recruiting and retaining trained firefighters — both full-time and call force — is increasingly difficult.
“We don’t have the same pipeline we used to,” he said. “Young people have more options, and today’s training requirements are significantly higher than they were decades ago.”
Equipment replacement and cost pressures also remain a key issue. Fire apparatus are more technologically advanced — and significantly more expensive — than they were even 10–12 years ago. One engine can now easily cost $600,000–$1 million.
Despite the challenges, he emphasized that the Springfield Fire Department is committed to proactive prevention. The Chief encouraged residents to check smoke alarms twice a year and properly dispose of ashes from wood stoves and pellet stoves.
The Chief closed by thanking Rotary and the community for its support, adding that partnerships with civic groups strengthen public safety. “The more connected we are, the safer we are,” he said.
This bulletin attempts to give a gist of the meeting. However, it is always better to attend. If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin...
