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...

February 2010 DFS - Briefs - Monthly Updates from the Department of Fire Services

DFS Briefs for February contains two important advisories as well as several flyers on upcoming training opportunities, public education safety flyers, and a job posting for a full-time Fire Code Administrator at DFS. The application deadline for this position is February 9. Note that National Burn Awareness Week is February 7-13. The winners of a statewide contest for high school media students, the YouTubeTM Burn Awareness Video Contest, sponsored by DFS, the Mass. Association of Safety Fire Educators, and the Mass. Property Insurance Underwriting Association will be announced on February 8 to launch Burn Awareness Week.

DFS Briefs Archives

Call/volunteer Firefighter Training Class #29 graduation - Postponed

The scheduled Class #29 Firefighter Training Class Graduation has been postponed due to an impending snow storm.

State Fire Marshal Announces Record Low Number of Civilian Fire Deaths in 2009 

Massachusetts ended the year with a record low number of fire deaths. In 2009, preliminary figures show there were 35 civilian fire deaths. "That's the lowest number of fire deaths on record since WWII," according to State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan. It's a 29% drop from the 49 deaths in 2008, and a 20% drop from the previous record low of 44 deaths in 2006.

State Fire Marshal and Task Force Launch Home Oxygen Safety Campaign

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan, Dr. Colleen Ryan of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and the state Task Force on Home Oxygen Safety unveiled a public awareness campaign on the fire danger of home oxygen use at MGH. -- The campaign will include television and radio public service announcements, a printed brochure, and educational guidelines for firefighters, injury prevention professionals, and first responders. -- Since 1997 home oxygen has been involved in 24 fire deaths in Massachusetts, caused more than 50 serious injuries, seven firfighter injuries and 69 identifiable incidents. In 2009 alone there have been five severe fire incidents with home oxygen; one involved a candle and four involved smoking.

Keep Warm, Keep Safe This Winter 2009 - 2010

DFS is looking forward to working with the fire services again on another successful Keep Warm Keep Safe campaign. Please check the Keep Warm Keep Safe website on a regular basis.

Open Burning Season Starts Jan 15 Where Allowed

State Fire Marshal Coan says "Open burning season starts this Friday. Now is the safest time to burn, so do so early before brush fire season in April." Check with your local fire warden or fire chief to see if open burning is allowed in your community. More ...

Firefighter, Municipal Service Open Competitive Examination Written Exam: April 24, 2010

The Human Resources Division (HRD) is currently accepting applications for the 2010 Firefighter, Municipal Service Examination. This examination consists of two components: the written examination and the Physical Abilities Test. Candidates MUST TAKE and PASS BOTH components in order to be placed on the eligible list for appointment in a civil service city or town.

Guidance Document Issued About Changes to MGL C148 s 26G Sprinkler Law That Takes Effect Jan 1, 2010. 

The Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board has issued guidance on recent amendments to M.G.L. c.148, s. 26G (Chapter 508 of the Acts of 2008). Click on the heading above this paragraph for the ASAB Official Approved 26G Guidance document.

Changes to Smoke Alarm Regulations 

The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations has approved an emergency amendment to 527 CMR 32 Approved Smoke Detectors. This regulation applies to units undergoing sale or transfer of buildings containing up to five residential units. The regulation, which was scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2010, has been moved to April 5, 2010. At that time the regulation will still require photoelectric smoke detectors within 20 feet of a kitchen or bath containing a shower. Areas located beyond 20 feet will be required to contain dual detection by either a single unit or two separate units. In addition to the date change the regulation has been clarified to indicate it applies to residential units constructed prior to January, 1975 that have not undergone major alteration covered by the State Building Code. It also contains a provision for low voltage household warning systems that may have been installed in these homes.

Houses of Worship as Temporary Shelters and Safety 

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and state Department of Public Safety Commissioner Thomas G. Gatzunis announced that the Board of Building Regulations and the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations passed tandem regulations for using houses of worship as temporary shelter during cold weather. These regulations are in effect as of December 1. State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said, "This balances the need to protect people from extreme weather with the basic public safety concerns reflected in the fire, building and health codes." (MORE)

$17.8 M in Stimulus Funding Released to Rehire Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters

Monday, November 23, 2009 - Moving to help municipal police and fire departments across the Commonwealth impacted by budget cuts that have forced layoffs and vacancies resulting from attrition, Governor Deval Patrick today announced the administration will release $17.8 million in federal stimulus funds to hire, rehire or retain 83 police officers in 35 police departments and 105 firefighters in 85 fire departments. The funds will also be used to support additional shift staffing needs.

MA Fire Services Staffing, Round 1 Awards Announced

Approximately $20 million in U.S. Department of Education State Fiscal Stabilization Government Services Fund Recovery Act funds will be awarded to local fire departments through a competitive process. The primary purpose of these funds is to help agencies address those staffing reductions incurred since July 1, 2008 that significantly impact public safety. Round 1 announcements were made October 7, 2009.

The Application Period for the FY2009 Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Services (SAFER) Grants is now closed

The Department of Homeland Security will begin accepting applications for FY2009 SAFER Grants Beginning November 16, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The deadline for receipt of the SAFER Grant applications will be January 15, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The FY2009 SAFER program has approximately $210 million available for Grants.

New Commercial Cooking Exhaust System Cleaning & Inspection License

Any person engaged in the cleaning and inspection of commercial cooking operations, as of January 1, 2010 must hold a Certificate of Competency issued by the State Fire Marshal. All cleaning and inspection that takes place must comply with the regulation which is based on the 2008 edition of NFPA 96 (National Fire Protection Association 96).

New Floor Finishing Regulations 

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and David P. Demers, Chair of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations, announced that the board recently revised its regulations on floor refinishing. Starting June 1, 2010, a fire department permit will be required when certain flammable liquids are going to be used in floor refinishing.

Hazmat Hydrogen Safety for First Responders

A web based course that provides an "awareness level" overview of hydrogen for fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel.

Additional HazMat Training Videos and Presentations

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.

January 2010 DFS - Briefs - Monthly Updates from the Department of Fire Services

First, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all who received awards and all who assisted in making the December 3, 2009, Firefighter of the Year Award ceremony such a special event. - DFS Briefs for January contains an important advisory on 527 CMR 32 regarding approved smoke detectors, information on the deadline for spending FY2009 SAFE grant monies, as well as a reminder and information on the Fire Service Commission's successful on-going program of recognizing Massachusetts firefighters for length of service.

December DFS - Briefs - Monthly Updates from the Department of Fire Services

The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations has been extremely active in working with DFS staff to promulgate several new regulations which are of importance to fire safety in the Commonwealth. Please find an advisory from my office along with the updates to 527 CMR on: temporary overnight shelters from the cold; crowd managers; floor finishing; cannons and mortars; and use and storage of alcohol based hand rub preparations. I wish you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season and remember to Keep Warm, Keep Safe throughout the holidays!

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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