‘They’re our neighbors’: Fire departments in Vermont and Quebec fight fires together [Video]

Rising tensions at the U.S.-Canada border are not stopping local fire departments on both sides from coming together to fight the fires.Chief Ron Kumetz has served with Alburgh’s fire department for nearly two decades but he has had help aiding his community.”The vast majority of departments in Vermont rely heavily on mutual aid,” Kumetz said.For generations, support has come from northern neighbors when there is an emergency in Alburgh.”They respond to our fires when needed, and we respond to theirs,” Kumetz said.Just across the U.S.-Canada border lies the small town of Clarenceville. That is where you will find Michael Johnston and his team of volunteer firefighters.”They’re our neighbors,” Johnston said.The departments have to rely on one another in an emergency because they are based in rural areas with limited resources. For decades, the two departments have fought flames together on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.”Last year, I think Alburgh …