Massachusetts Department of Fire Services

Today is World . Drowning is the leading cause of death among children, and several Massachusetts communities have endured these tragedies this year. Children need adult supervision at all times when they're in and around water, and swimming pools must have a 4' barrier. Learn more about drowning prevention via the World Health Organization (WHO): https://ow.ly/nJHS50SIBEK

Mark your calendars! The Department of Fire Services' 29th annual Fire & Life Safety Conference is less than two months away. Visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/annual-fire-life-safety-education-conference for info on speakers and workshops, and join us in Southbridge on Sept. 18-19!

are everywhere, and to help them operate safely we've served up a new Quick Reference Guide on safety statutes, regulations, and compliance considerations for the fire service and other interested parties. This and our other QRGs are available at https://ow.ly/slL350SAJGH

DFS staff and volunteers traveled to the Belchertown Fire Department last week to screen firefighters for . Thanks to Abby Baker of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and Dr. Christine Kannler, who volunteered her time, for making it happen! Learn more about our awareness, prevention, and early detection programs: https://ow.ly/nCG450SGfGv

Cooking outside tonight? Please do it safely! Keep grills at least 10 feet from the side of a building and out from beneath overhead branches. Don't grill on porches, balconies, or fire escapes. Set a three-foot "No Kid Zone" around the grill, and keep the young ones away from grills, matches, lighters, and lighter fluid. More safety tips: http://ow.ly/zHLi50OvTrj

DFS Incident Support Units provide a command center on wheels with voice, video, radio, and internet comms capabilities -- anywhere, anytime. Our Special Operations team recently supported Falmouth Fire/Rescue and other public safety agencies with ISU 1 during the July 4th festivities. Learn how to activate these and other resources: https://ow.ly/mWGL50SzZHp

Gassing up the lawnmower this weekend? Please remember to let the engine cool before you refuel and always keep gasoline away from heat, sparks, open flame, and children. More gasoline safety tips: https://ow.ly/EkHh50SFAa3

The DFS trailer, Zumro tent, and Incident Support Unit 1 are supporting the Revere Fire Department and other public safety agencies at Revere Beach for the International Sand Sculpting Festival this weekend. These and other resources are available to local fire departments for emergencies and pre-planned events. Thanks to all our partner agencies for pitching in, and good luck to all the artists!

Congratulations to the members of Career Recruit ! They're graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy one week from today. Join us in Stow at 11:00 am on 7/26/24, or check our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/dfsosfm later that day for video.

DFS Rehab 5 supported the Agawam Fire Department, District 4 technicians, and this week after a barrel of unknown chemicals was located unattended near a waterway. The heat index was over 100°, making it a labor-intensive mission. Thanks to our Special Operations staff, who are always ready to provide a place to cool off, drink up, and catch a quick break: https://ow.ly/zzjp50SBTqn

Ready to make a difference in your community? Apply to take the 2024 Municipal Firefighter Exam before August 27. Visit https://ow.ly/qjML50SEsnF for info via Massachusetts Civil Service.

: The investigation by the Revere Fire Department, Revere Police, and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the offices of the State Fire Marshal and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden determined that Monday's fatal fire was accidental. It most likely started with smoking materials -- the second such fire in Massachusetts in less than a week. If you still smoke, please remember to put it out, all the way, every time: https://ow.ly/h9nb50SCMht

Great reminder from our friends at the Cambridge MA Fire Department! Every home, apartment, and dorm needs working , alarms, and two ways out.

The beginning of fall semester isn't that far away!
If you are starting a search for school housing, keep fire safety in mind.
Ensure that there are two unobstructed ways out & that the smoke/carbon monoxide alarms are working. A sprinklered building is a better option.

Firefighters and other first responders answer a calling that too often brings them into the center of tragedy -- and some of those tragedies can be hard to shake. It's ok to talk about PTSD, moral injury, and other behavioral health and wellness issues. Follow the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance to learn more, and visit https://ow.ly/qagU50S2QMQ for Massachusetts and peer support contacts.

Is your working overtime? Remember that the AC and other heavy appliances should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet -- never an extension cord or power strip. More electrical safety tips: https://ow.ly/TFJg50SBOW6

Things are heating up again! If you’re working, playing, or training outside today, stay , wear light clothing, and stick to the shade whenever possible to avoid heat-related illness. Check on older or vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors, and chill out at a local cooling center if necessary. Remember that DFS units can respond to major or long-duration incidents to support firefighter health and safety: https://ow.ly/QElh50RNHkI

July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day! Does your home plan account for your four-legged family members? Review these tips from the good folks at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): https://ow.ly/jM4s50SzYFq

Great reminder from the North Andover Fire Department!

PRESS RELEASE

DFS staff and volunteers will be offering free, voluntary screenings for firefighters at the Belchertown Fire Department, Northampton Fire Rescue, and Ware Fire Department one week from today on 7/18/24. All Massachusetts firefighters (call, volunteer, career, and retired) are eligible! Register for course SCA at https://ow.ly/Ay4F50Sxj7c.

The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's awareness-level for EMS course educates first responders on roles and responsibilities during an Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response. (It is not a substitute for more detailed Rescue Task Force or tactical medicine courses.) This online curriculum is approved for 1.5 hours of OEMS credit. Use course code 33E_v2 at https://ow.ly/K1et50SzW9w.

The temperature in a car in our parking lot reached an untenable 145 degrees one day last week. Never leave pets, kids, or vulnerable adults unattended in a vehicle -- not even with the window cracked, not even for "just a minute."

We were honored to host Chief Peter Weinrich from the Cooksville Volunteer Fire Department during his ride visiting memorial sites around the country. Along with his gorgeous custom Harley, he paid his respects at our 9/11 and K9 memorials and checked out our training and support assets. Thanks for coming, Chief!

About 60% of fireworks-related injuries in Massachusetts take place in July. Don't risk a fire, a serious injury, or a day in court. There are plenty of permitted municipal displays in the days and weeks ahead: catch a show near you and leave fireworks to the professionals! https://ow.ly/JNWE50Sy3n9

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee, and DFS are hosting a symposium on the emerging hazard posed by fentanyl, xylazine, and other illicit narcotics. The event will be held on 11/15/24 at Gillette Stadium and will be open to public safety and public health personnel at no cost. Register now: https://ow.ly/xBqI50SzIow

protect people, pets, and property!

Fact: Reduce Water Damage! According to the Scottsdale Report, a 15-yr study of fire sprinkler effectiveness, a fire sprinkler uses, on average, 341 gallons of water to control a fire. Firefighters, on average, use 2,935. The more you know, the more you'll ask for !

Changes in construction and manufacturing mean we have less time to escape a fire at home than ever before. protect people, pets, and property by containing or even extinguishing a fire while firefighters respond. Thanks to the Mass Fire Sprinkler Coalition Executive Board for visiting DFS this week.