About CVFA

BRIEF HISTORY
Founded as a private corporation in 1936 we were originally the only fire department in town.    The original fire station was located at 1216 Main Street just across from the Bidwell Tavern.  The department remained in this station for 64 years until we out grew it.  In May of 2000 our new station located across the street from the Coventry Town Hall was officially dedicated.  We also expanded our coverage to Station 208 a substation located on the corner of South and Judd road. 

OUR NAME
There seems to be some confusion about our department name.  The official name which is on our papers of incorporation is Coventry Volunteer Fire Association Incorporated.  We use South Coventry on the radio and in our interaction with Tolland County to avoid confusion with the North Coventry Fire Department. 

TOWN STRUCTURE
Within the Town of Coventry there exists three public safety entities.  The Coventry Police Department, North Coventry Fire Department, and Coventry Volunteer Fire Association.  The three agencies along with town officials form the Public Safety Committee which coordinates interagency operability. 

The police primary function is to provide protective services for the town.  In addition they also respond to most fire and EMS emergencies to assist the two fire departments.  The police department is a fully staffed agency with paid officers on duty 24/7.  In many cases are the first to arrive on scene and render assistance. 

North Coventry Fire Department is responsible for primary EMS response in the north end of town and in the south end of town during daytime.  They also provide heavy rescue services like vehicle extrication and ice rescue.  They provide fire services for the entire town.

CVFA provides ambulance service for the entire town.  We have two ambulances and respond to both north and south ends of town.  We also provide fire services for the entire town along with North Coventry.

DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE
Our Association is structured into two parts.  The Association and the Fire Department.  The Association is the administrative branch of our organization.  This part handles all administrative tasks like financial matters, building maintenance and upkeep, etc.  It is governed by an executive board called the Board of Directors.  Head of the Board of Directors is the President and Chief Executive Officer for CVFA.

Under the association exists the fire department.  The fire department is responsible for all emergency activities.  Training, equipment and apparatus upkeep, and all emergency operations.  The Chief and fire officers have the responsibility for keeping the department ready for all emergencies.

As a private corporation we contract fire and emergency medical services to the town of Coventry and receive funding for the fire portion of our budget.  The EMS portion of our budget comes entirely from our revenue recovery program.