To the Editors:
(The following letter to the Wilton Fire and Police departments and EMS responders is reprinted here with the writer’s permission.)
Dear First Responders,
We want to thank the town of Wilton, Weston, Westport, and New Canaan Fire Fighters, EMS, and Police for their prompt and effective action to contain the fire at our residence. All of the first responders demonstrated professionalism and sensitivity to what could have been a devastating situation. Luckily for us, all family members and pets at home at the time were evacuated safely. Further, the damage was minimized and contained by smart decisions made by the first response team; thus allowing us to re-occupy our residence within 24 hours of the fire.
And while we appreciate all the first responders, in particular we want to thank the Wilton Fire Department. The approach the fire team took saved precious personal items and minimized damage that would have otherwise occurred. It was not clear early on what was underway in the house as we saw the firefighters moving about, but later, in the aftermath, we saw they had covered furniture and moved paintings to minimize damage from the inevitable onslaught of water that was required.
We also received excellent coaching on the spot to quickly call our home insurer and a professional clean-up crew. The crew showed up as the firefighters approved re-entry to the home. On top of all that, you provided the onsite ServePro team Wilton Fire Department generators so that immediate water evacuation could begin.
Frankly, the things in life most important to us, our lives, our pets, and the belongings we’ve accumulated over years of travel, all survived. The affected rooms in the house can and will be rebuilt and we will move on, but we will never forget the efforts of The First Responders!
Thank you, from all of us,
George, Debra, Stephanie and Brittany Van
And our pets, McKinley, Denali, Kensington and Penelope
West Meadow Road, May 3