Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Supporting the Massachusetts fire service and helping residents stay safe from fire. Welcome to the DFS page.
If you’re looking for the official source of information about DFS, please visit www.mass.gov/dfs. For emergencies, call your local fire/EMS/police or 9-1-1.
It's National Intern Day! DFS hosted the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Summer Internship Program this week, giving students from across Massachusetts a sample of the services we offer to local fire departments and communities. They toured the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, got a close-up look at the tools on our Hazmat apparatus, walked through a Rehab and Incident Support Unit, and met troopers, K9s, and robots from the Massachusetts State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit. Naturally, the class photo with a drone that has thermal imaging capabilities.
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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
The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors recently delivered the National Fire Academy's Fire Investigator: First Responders course to students drawn from the fire service and law enforcement. The two-day class gives an entry-level overview of fire chemistry; the first responder's role in fire suppression and fire investigation; and the importance of evidence identification and preservation. It's a prerequisite for the MFA's Fire Investigator program.
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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!
Tuesday: Members of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's Technical Rescue Program replaced and rehabbed all the equipment used for our Rope Rescue courses last week. This annual process ensures the safety of our students and instructors as they deliver this foundational tech rescue curriculum to firefighters across the Commonwealth.
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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
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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
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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
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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
Last month, students from the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy visited the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Springfield as part of a day-long immersion program we offer vocational/technical schools. Many thanks to our instructors and support staff for giving the kids a great day on campus!
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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
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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!
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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.
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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
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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.
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: 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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Great reminder from the North Andover Fire Department!
PRESS RELEASE
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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.
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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.
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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."
![Photos from Massachusetts Department of Fire Services's post](https://img3.findglocal.com/291/988/892467002919886.jpg)
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!
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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
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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
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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 !
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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.
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