Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Welcome from the State Fire Marshal
As the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal and the head of the Department of Fire Services, I am very proud of the progress we have made to provide much needed resources to the fire service... July DFS - Briefs - Monthly Updates from the Department of Fire Services
This month's DFS Briefs includes information and nomination forms for the 2009 Firefighter of the Year Awards. These materials will not be mailed to fire departments, so fire chiefs need to download and print their own copies. The deadline to submit nominations is August 21, 2009. In addition, fire departments need to be aware of the very important information regarding the transfer of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program from DFS to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Local fire departments need to understand this process in order to adequately answer questions from the public. If you have comments, questions and suggestions about DFS Briefs, then please email me at Stephen.Coan@state.ma.us. DFS Briefs Archives
Marshal and NFPA Hold Fireworks Presss Conferences
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and National Fire Protection Association President Jim Shannon held two press conferences on Wednesday, July 1, to educate the public about the dangers of fireworks. Members of the fire, medical, and law enforcement communities and Jonathan Jackson, a U.S. Olympic hopeful who suffered a fireworks injury as a child, joined them. The 10:30 a.m. press conference was held in eastern Massachusetts at Houghton's Pond at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. The 2:30 press conference was held in western Massachusetts at the soccer fields at Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA. H1N1 Influenza Advisories - Click Here
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and the Department of Fire Services have posted the following documents from the MA Department of Public Health and the Center of Disease Control, which provide important information for first responders on the safe handling of suspected H1N1 influenza patients. The goal is to facilitate containment of H1N1 infections and to minimize the risk of infection to first responders. Application Deadline for Fire Station Construction Grants - July 10th
The FY 2009 SCG Grants application period has opened. Applications for these grants must be received by July 10, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants (SCG) will provide financial assistance directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order for departments to enhance their response capability and protect the community they serve from fire and fire-related hazards. In Memory of Charleston Firefighters: Inspect, Pre-Plan and Report
In honor of the second anniversary of the deaths of nine Charleston, SC firefighters in a furniture store fire, the Monroe County (NY) Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association is asking firefighters across the world to conduct a fire safety inspection of all furniture stores in their jurisdiction, to update or make a complete pre-plan for fighting fires in these buildings and to then respond to a short survey. They suggest completing these actions between June 9 and 18, but it certainly is a good idea if it does not get done till after June 18.
Don't Jump Into the Pool Just Yet
Fire Marshal and MassDEP Warn Residents About Handling of Pool Chemicals. State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan wants pool owners to take a moment to make a pool chemical safety plan and share it with family members.
HAZMAT TRAINING -- 2008 Emergency Response Guide (ERG) Interactive Training
Firefighters, Paramedics, EMT's and Police Officers. Learn how to use the 2008 ERG in this 3 minute need to know video presentation.You can also evaluate your current hazardous materials knowledge with inter-active HazMat Evaluation Games and Quiz.Click title above for an excellent DOWNLOAD related to YOU and YOUR safety and required job skills. (The link to this webpage is provided for informational purposes only and does not imply an endorsement of the company.) Next SAFER Grant Application Period - Summer 2009
The SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and EmergencyResponse) Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters availablein their communities. National Junior Firefighter Program Grant Application Period
Click the heading above to Visit the National Volunteer Fire Council website for application information, requirements and deadlines.
2009 Burn Awareness Video Contest
The Mass. Association of Safety and Fire Educators and the state Department of Fire Services in conjunction with the MA Property Insurance Underwriting Association are sponsoring a video contest for high school students. Contestant groups are challenged to create an informative and educational video on the topic of burn awareness. DFS Mission
The mission of the Department of Fire Services is to promote and enhance firefighter safety through policy and training, to assist and support the fire service community in protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Massachusetts, and to provide...
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