Salisbury Firefighters Local 4694

Injured person, Merrimack River North Jetty

Group 4 responded to a call for an injured person on the jetty at Salisbury Reservation. The individual, suffering from a suspected dislocated knee, was safely moved to a US Coast Guard vessel. Great teamwork by Salisbury Fire Department and the USCG! U.S. Coast Guard Station Merrimack River.

Senators Irked By Dismissal Of Firefighter Gear Amendment Top Senate Democrats ruled that policies with majority support meant to target the toxic and cancer-causing chemicals known as PFAS were outside the scope of a major health care bill

Another peek at Salisbury Fire Department’s Safety Academy
Photo credit: KEITH SULLIVAN / The Newburyport Daily News

******* South End Residents*******

Starting this Saturday and Sunday at 9am we will be implementing a lane closure on Beach Rd, turning onto Cable Ave. There will also be a sign board which reads “ No Right Turn. No Beach Access. Resident Access Only”

This will be on a trial basis. Residents can access the south end via Railroad Ave. You will still be able to exit normally out of Cable Ave.

We understand the residents concerns and we hope that this will help deter many visitors from accessing these side streets.

A Code Red message will be going out later today to area residents.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Before you know it, your career will be over. You may make it 10, 20, 30, or 40-plus years; it matters not, it goes by in a blink. I made it to 25, spent more time than I care to recall complaining about this or that, the shift coming in or the shift going out. As great as the job is, far too many of us wish it were better, or that the public appreciated us, or that the politicians would stop with their endless wants.

One thing is certain: The job will outlast each and every one of us. Where there is uncontrolled fire, there are people needed to put it out. Who better than us? Nobody, that’s who. The people we work with are what make the job so great. It’s the people who make us laugh, have our back, give us an endless stream of material to exploit, and keep things interesting.

Enjoy those friendships, for they will not last forever. A fortunate few have the capacity to maintain numerous friendships throughout their lives; the rest of us settle for one or two close friends and rely on family as our years add up and people in our lives diminish.

We are fortunate. Our working years are spent with like-minded individuals whose bond is unbreakable during difficult times, tested under fire, and strengthened by our ability to work together to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Friendship forged in fire is forever, at least in our memories. It is difficult to keep a department full of people on speed dial. And, as the years continue, the calls slow down, nights out are more often spent with our spouses, and the thrill of camaraderie takes a back seat to the satisfaction of raising a family.

I think it has to be that way. I could wallow in misery, thinking that the phone never rings, my “brothers” have forsaken me, and that those friendships were just an illusion. Or, I can live secure in the knowledge that what we had was more real than anybody has the right to imagine. I can see those friendships for what they are: moments in time spent with people who were, and will always be, vitally important pieces of a life well lived.

We cannot live forever shadowed by what our lives used to be. We were giants once and donned the gear and did things that others call heroic. But that comes to an end, and living life without the possibility of the bell tipping or the tones going off need not be done wishing for something better, more vibrant, more life affirming and thrilling.

We few, we happy few, we can bask in the memory of battles waged, lives saved, and friendship like no other nurtured under fire.

I cannot and will not ask for or expect anything better than that.

Image of present day Branch Avenue crew, where I began my journey in 1991.

Today, Group 3, under the command of Lt. Kelby Groder, quickly and efficiently extinguished a small bathroom fire. Everyone is safe, and the situation was under control in under 45 minutes.

Group 2 grilled the food at the annual senior cookout today.

We want to express our gratitude to the Bamford family for their generous donation of this wonderful painting depicting the red wing.

Over the past 12 hours, Group 3, Captain Murphy, and Lt. Swenson, working the EMS Detail at the Salisbury Beach Reservation, responded to 18 medical emergency calls.This has been one of the busiest shifts we can remember in the past 3-4 years.

Salisbury Group 2, led by Lt. Swenson, is currently providing mutual aid in Newburyport for a structure fire. Captain Murphy is also on the scene assisting.

The memorial is all set for our annual Fireman’s Sunday at 9 am. We hope to see you there.

Please attend our annual Fireman’s memorial day this Sunday the 9th of June at 9 am. Light refreshments will be available.

Salisbury Fire Marine 1 is currently operating at a boat fire. The boat was in Newburyport and was cut loose and is now in Salisbury.

Photo credit Tim wareham

Thanks to the Institution for Savings Institution for Savings for providing food and snacks for our members. We are very grateful.

The Town of Salisbury had a great turnout for Memorial Day. At the end of the Memorial Day ceremony, we held a small event to move the town's first handtub, "The Redwing," into its new home in Salisbury Square.

Photo credit:parks and rec

Memorial Day Parade is ON for today!

Today, we express our gratitude to all active members of the armed services who protect our country. May 18th is the annual Armed Service Day.

Get out and vote! Local elections are some of the most important elections, but many people don't take advantage of the opportunity to vote.

Salisbury Firefighter Local 4694 has endorsed Gil Medeiros for Salisbury and Donna Abdulla for our selectman board positions. Please consider supporting our candidates, as they support us. We support those who support us.

During last night's shift, Group 3 captured stunning photos of the aurora borealis at the Reservation.

The best job in the world!

Congratulations and welcome.

Please welcome Officer Bryan Meinelt, who graduated today from the NECC Haverhill academy. He will now begin his field training phase. Make sure you say hello when you see him out on the road.

Thanks to Hiller NE Fire Protection for professional assistance with building a Standpipe prop for training.

Salisbury Fire Department's Marine 1 Fire boat was dispatched at 1:43 PM to a report of a boat in distress near Salisbury Beach. Upon arrival, Marine 1 discovered that the distressed boat had motor issues. The Salisbury Fire Department group 2 members provided assistance until the U.S. Coast Guard Station Merrimack River arrived on the scene to take charge. After the Coast Guard's arrival, Marine 1 returned to the dock.

The Salisbury Fire Department Marine 1 is available to respond 24/7 and is staffed during responses with a minimum of three Firefighter/EMT personnel who are trained to handle medical and fire-related emergencies.