The Acushnet Fire / Rescue Department is a combination department with one fulltime Chief, four fulltime firefighters and 35 call firefighters.  We provide fire protection, fire prevention, hazardous materials mitigation and rescue services to the residents of Acushnet, MA.
 

Our main fire station is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.  The fulltime firefighters work two day shifts (10 hours per shift) followed by two night shifts (14 hours per shift).  By utilizing this system, we ensure that the station is manned around the clock.  The fulltime firefighters perform the day-to-day operations of the department as well as the initial leadership at emergency incidents.

The Chief of the department is in quarters Monday-Friday.  All regular business activities--from inspections to plan reviews--are conducted during this period.

Our call firefighters respond to incidents based upon the nature of the call.  Each member is provided structural firefighting gear and a pager for responses to an incident directly from their home or place of employment.  Call firefighters also cover either day or night shifts not worked by our fulltime members.

Call officers are given the responsibilities of the overall performance of their assigned companies (Lieutenants) or stations (Captains).  The Deputy Chief plays a key role in outcome of the incidents to which we respond often acting as Incident Commander.

Given the structure of our department all members may be required to perform a variety of firefighting tasks and fire ground responsibilities.  Based on this requirement, training is a very important component of our operations.  A monthly department drill is conducted on the last Monday of each month.  In addition a smaller, company level drill, is conducted by company officers each month.

In addition to fire related incidents, our department is called upon to respond to motor vehicle crashes, hazardous materials spills and certain specialized rescue incidents.  During 2004 we responded to a total of 382 such incidents.  This year we will respond to over 500 calls ranging from structure fires to assisting residents locked out of their homes.

Fire Prevention activities are an important function provided by our department.  Firefighters participate in the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE)  program funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Through the SAFE program fire prevention classes are offered to the 3rd grade  students in Acushnet's public schools.  In addition we hold programs for senior citizens as well as specialized activities like our current free smoke / carbon monoxide detector campaign.