Vermont First Responders, A Series:

Vermont State Police

Dear Fellow Vermonter, 

With little fanfare, first responders, in every part of our state, do enormously important and lifesaving work. They are the police, fire fighters, EMS personnel, and others who are on the other end of the phone line when we dial 9-1-1. We often take their efforts for granted, but they are there to save our lives, protect our property, and keep us safe – and we thank them very much for what they do.

Too often, the needs of our first responders get ignored or swept under the rug. Too often, their stories and experiences on the job go unheard. To my mind, that has got to change. And that’s why the Bernie Buzz, in the coming months, will feature some stories on the vitally important work done by first responders in Vermont.

This first Buzz in the first responder series focuses on the Vermont State Police.

Some of you may recall that, a few months ago, Vermont State Trooper Michelle Archer, assisted by her partner Keith Cote, put her life on the line by diving into a freezing pond to save a drowning 8-year-old girl. While police officers are not diving into freezing water every day, they are always putting their lives on the line to serve our communities.

I want to thank all of Vermont's first responders for their service. And I hope you will take a moment to watch the video above on the Vermont State Police.

Vermont State Police are our neighbors, friends, and family members. They are part of our communities and are committed to making a difference. Currently, the Vermont State Police are understaffed and are looking for more dedicated Vermonters to join their ranks. For more information on how to join the Vermont State Police, visit https://vsp.vermont.gov/employment.

Once again, thanks to all of our first responders for the work they do.

Sincerely,