1996 ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I am pleased to submit the Easton Fire and Rescue Department Annual Report for the year
1996 for your review.
Public Education and Fire Prevention
The number one priority of this Department is to prevent the needless injuries, suffering
and property loss caused by fires, accidents and related incidents. In this regard, we
maintain an extremely active educational program aimed at preventing these incidents
before they occur, or reducing the severity of any resulting incidents.
The highly successful Safety Awareness & Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program (now in
it’s second year), continues to be well received by Easton elementary school children
and teachers. Funded by a $8,500.00 competitive grant from the State’s Department of
Public Safety, it allows local fire departments to place a firefighter into the schools
throughout the year teaching fire and life safety. Important fire safety lessons designed
for each grade level (K-6) are taken right into the classroom and are presented in an
effective interactive style. While the 1995 pilot program curriculum focused on grades K-3
students, we have since been able to add grades 4-6 students to the 1996-1997 curriculum
now impacting over 2000 Easton students.
Firefighters David Beals, Thomas Nicholson, Lawrence Blye and Jeffrey Webster again taught
their fire safety message to all Kindergarten classes and Day care centers on Fire
Prevention Week in October. They continued in following weeks teaching grades 1 through 6.
Fire Safety education for these grades will continue in the Spring of 1997.
The Easton Fire and Rescue Department is now on the world wide web. Using the latest
technology to further the Fire Prevention message, this summer, Firefighter Jeffrey
Webster (jtwebster@mediaone.net) volunteered
to create a Home Page for our Department. The web site can be reached through the Internet
address of: http://www.eastonfire.com.On the site you will find
information about our department, fire safety information, as well as links to hundreds of
other fire services around the world. I can be reached via e-mail through our web page, or
at chief@eastonfire.com
Fire safety and fire extinguisher training was provided for local nursing home staff,
regional school bus drivers and Easton businesses under the direction of department
Training Officer Captain Howard and on-duty firefighters. During 1996, Firefighter
Anderson conducted classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the public, Town Pool
Lifeguards, and Recreation Department workers.
The Fire Prevention Division, under Captain John Webster conducted fire inspections as
required by State Law. Schools and nursing homes were inspected on a quarterly basis.
Underground tank removals and blasting operations were monitored and target areas where
fire-safety education was needed were identified.
Senior Code Compliance Officer Wayne Delaney of the State Fire Marshal Division continues
to maintain a satellite office at Fire Station #3. This enables us to have a valuable link
via computer to the State Fire Marshal’s Headquarters in Stow, MA. This link allows
us immediate access to information on hazardous conditions we may encounter as well as up
to date changes in State Fire Laws and Regulation. Having Officer Delaney in the station
enables us to obtain instant assistance in interpretations of the Board of Fire Prevention
Regulations and State Fire Laws. He is also available to provide enforcement of the fire
regulations when it becomes necessary.
Operations
There were a total of 2932 incidents responded to by the department in 1996, for fire,
emergency or other related problems. There were 30 dwelling fires, 5 fires in commercial
property and 5 fires in other types of structures. There were 4218 Fire and Rescue
Department equipment responses in 1996. I am pleased to report that in 1996 none of our
citizens lost their lives or were injured due to a fire. Estimated property loss for all
1996 incidents to which the fire department responded amounted to $333,450.00, an increase
in loss of $63,625.00 from last year. Eleven (12) firefighters were injured in the line of
duty in 1996, up by one from last year.
In 1996 the Easton Fire and Rescue Department continued to render too, and request from
surrounding towns and cities, mutual aid fire and ambulance assistance. Due to the severe
winter in 1996, the department responded to 415 auto accidents. Fire personnel responded
to 20 spill or fire involving hazardous materials in Easton during the year.
There were 1446 emergency medical responses by the Fire Department Ambulance in the past
year, an increase of 198 responses over last year. These responses resulted in the
transport of 816 persons to local hospitals. In November, the Department received the
civil service list and began hiring procedures for two additional Firefighter/Paramedics
as funded by Special Town Meeting in July, 1996. This will bring our Advanced Life Support
trained personnel to a total of six (6) Firefighter/Paramedics and seven (7)
Firefighter/Intermediate Emergency Medical Technicians. In addition we have 19
Firefighter/Basic Life Support EMTs.
As a result of a $130,000.00 increase to the Fire Department budget at the Special Town
Meeting in July 1996, the Department was able to reopen the Depot Street fire station #2
and Bay Road fire station #3 on a full time basis. Prior to that vote, they were
alternately closed for one month periods during the year due to funding.
Firefighter Training and Education
Training and education are vital in ensuring that the Easton Fire and Rescue Department is
able to respond effectively to the many and varied calls for assistance it receives. The
Easton Fire and Rescue Department provides comprehensive training in the following areas:
recruit (entry level), in-service skills development and refresher training, special
skills development (hazardous materials, arson investigation, technical rescue, etc.), and
officer supervisory skills and command skills development. During the year members attend
required training which provides individual skills development and promotes team building.
The results of this effective training program show up on the emergency scene through
smooth, safe and effective operations.
In 1996, members of the Department attended the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s
Flammable Gas Program. This course included controlling and extinguishing live flammable
gas fires on a variety of props at the Academy’s Stow facility. Massachusetts is
fortunate to have what is considered one of the finest flammable gas training facilities
in the nation. In May, 1996, the Department was able to practice structural firefighting
skills under live fire conditions using an old farmhouse on Bay road that was donated for
that use by a local contractor, Mr. Tad Decouto. We were able to have several fires in the
building. This type of training is especially valuable in team building. The Department
has also been training with our confined space rescue equipment. Acquiring technical
rescue capability has been a proactive rather than reactive development of the Department.
As our Town grows and develops, the Department is called to deal with situations that are
becoming increasingly complex due to technological advances in our society. The Department
is finding that it is more and more difficult to provide in-service training in the
advanced technical fields, and that we must send personnel to places such as the
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, Barnstable Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy,
in Emmitsburg, MD. As Fire Chief, I am proud of the capabilities and accomplishments of
this department’s employees, and can assure you that they are up to the challenges
the future may bring.
Fire Alarm
The Fire Alarm Division, under Deputy Norman McNeill has continued to update the fire
alarm system. New master fire alarm boxes were installed on commercial buildings. Fire
Alarm wire was extended into new developments as needed and a street Fire Alarm Boxes,
paid for by the contractor, installed. The fire alarm system continues to be budgeted and
successfully funded through a Fire Alarm Off-set Receipt Account.
Apparatus
A new fire department service truck was purchased and placed in service this year. The
1985 Ambulance was replaced with a new large Advance Life Support ambulance, paid for out
of the user fees collected and budgeted through the Ambulance Off-set Receipt account.
Thought must be given by Town officials toward regular replacement of our fire apparatus.
This year I have proposed a 5 year replacement program for pumping engines and 15 year
replacement program for the ladder truck, to the Capitol Budget Committee and Town
Administrator. The current ladder truck is approaching 30 years of service. The Town
should consider the purchase of a new more modern Ladder truck to replace our aging
vehicle before we have to obtain antique license plates for it.
Personnel
In February, 1996, I was stricken with a heart ailment and was out of work for five
months. During that time, Deputy Chief Norman McNeill took over the Department in my
absence as Acting Chief. I would like to publicly thank him for a job well done. I would
also like to thank my Executive Assistant Lillian McGranachan, and all the Fire Officers
and Firefighters of this department for the assistance they provided Acting Chief McNeill
and me throughout this past year. The officers and firefighters of this department
continue to donate many hours of their own time assisting the department and attending
training courses in advanced fire fighting and medical techniques in order to perform
their tasks in a more efficient manner. I would again like to recognize and thank all
thirty-four of them for their contribution in making the Easton Fire and Rescue Department
the professional and well educated organization it is. As Fire Chief, I take great pride
in the capabilities and accomplishments of our personnel who give so willingly of their
time and talents for the people of Easton.
Conclusions
In closing, I would also like to thank all of Easton's citizens, officials, boards,
committees, and other town departments who have come to our assistance this past year. You
may rest assure that we will continue to provide the best in both emergency and
non-emergency services in the most efficient manner possible in the future.
I would like to end the 1996 report by reaffirming our Mission statement:
Mission Statement
“The Easton Fire and Rescue Department is committed to protecting the people,
property, and environment within our community.”
“We will be responsive to the needs of our citizens by providing rapid, professional,
humanitarian services essential to the health, safety, and well being of the
community.”
“We will accomplish our mission through fire prevention, fire awareness education,
fire suppression, emergency medical services and other related emergency and non-emergency
activities.”
“We will actively participate in our community, serve as role models, and strive to
effectively and efficiently utilize all of the necessary resources at our command to
provide a product deemed excellent by our citizens.”
“Always ready, proud to serve.”
Respectfully submitted,
Phillip E. Blye, Chief
Send your questions or
comments to the Chief at chief@eastonfire.com