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8th Annual Weekend at the National Fire Academy - Application date extended to Oct. 8, 2009
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services will once again be going to the National Fire Academy for a weekend of intensive training. The deadline for receiving completed applications has been extended to 1700 hrs on October 8, 2009. Haunted Houses
The Halloween season is a fun time of the year to be enjoyed, but as fire officials the Halloween season generates common Life-Safety issues, particularly where "haunted houses" and/or "fun houses" are operated and open to the public as ASSEMBLY USE buildings or portions thereof. This memorandum contains information from that original memo referencing relevant sections of both the fire and building codes. We strongly recommend that both local fire and building officials work together when addressing these life-safety issues. The Department of Public Safety will be providing additional information on their website, as well, regarding this subject (www.mass.gov/dps). The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Application Period is Open
The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Web site. The application period is scheduled to begin on September 21, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications for these grants must be received by October 23, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). Fire Prevention Week 2009
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan - "No one thinks fire will ever happen to them. This year's theme 'Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned', is a good reminder for people to be more aware of the danger of fire that surrounds us." - "Fire is a devastating experience and we want all residents of Massachusetts to 'Stay Fire Smart' throughout the year." Over 150 Attend 15th Annual MA Fire & Life Safety Education Conference
Over 150 classroom teachers, nurses, firefighters, school resource officers and injury prevention experts gathered at the Devens Common Center on September 23 and 24, 2009 for two days of training and skill development in 30 workshops and four general sessions presented by 40 speakers.
HAZMAT-HEADS UP - Ethanol: Response Considerations
For information about programs brought to you from the National Hazardous Materials Fusion Center, the IAFC and the DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Adminstration (PHMSA) click the heading link above. 2008 M-BIRS Annual Report Now Available
The 2008 Annual Report of the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (M-BIRS) is now available. This report is based upon the 438 burn injury reports submitted by the acute care hospitals in Massachusetts in 2008. The data in this report emphasizes the importance of reporting all serious burn cases to the burn registry, which is maintained by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. These reports provide us with critical information needed to develop and implement important public health as well as public safety programs.
15th annual Public Education Conference
The 15th annual Fire and Life Safety Education Conference will be held Wednesday and Thursday, September 23-24, 2009 at the Devens Common Center//SpringHill Suites by Marriott. The costs are the same as 2008. The conference boasts an interesting line-up of workshops designed to appeal to both teachers and firefighter-educators, beginners and experience educators. The keynote speaker will be Fresno CA Fire Chief Randy R. Bruegman, an author and lecturer on leadership and managing change in the fire service. His fire department has some creative public service announcements (PSAs) that are part of their community education efforts. Registration deadline is September 8, 2009 and that is also the deadline for making your own hotel reservations. Please also consider nominating an outstanding educator for the 2009 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award. The deadline for nominations is BEFORE LABOR DAY - August 28, 2009. FY2010 Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) Grant application now available.
Any city or town whose fire department or fire district had a S.A.F.E. Program Grant in any of the fiscal years 2001 - 2009 and is committed to working with school systems, public health, and other community agencies to develop a well conceived and coordinated fire safety education program is eligible to apply for the Program Grant. Fire departments/districts that are not eligible for a Program Grant may apply for a Planning Grant. Deadline for application is Friday, September 11, 2009. All FY 2008 Year End Reports must be completed in order to apply for FY 2010 funds.
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.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds for Mass. Fire Services Staffing - See Details - Application Deadline August 21, 2009.
Approximately $20M 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 purpose of this grant program is to address those staffing reductions since July 1, 2008, that have significantly impacted public safety. Funds may be used to rehire firefighters, hire new firefighters, prevent layoffs, hire or rehire civilians, and to fill positions through overtime for fire suppression purposes. - Application deadline August 21, 2009 .
Next SAFER Grant Application Period - To be determined
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 Deadline - August 15th
Click the heading above to Visit the National Volunteer Fire Council website for application information, requirements and deadlines.
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.
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.) Marshal and NFPA Hold Fireworks Press 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. 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. 31 Graduate Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training Program
Tuesday, June 30, 2009, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan presented certificates of completion to members of the Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training class #28 in a graduation ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The recruit graduation took place at Palmer High School, Palmer, MA. Massachusetts Fire Training Council (MFTC) Certification Examination Schedule
Schedule, Forms, Documents and Application Form.
Code Enforcement Training - May and June 2009
The Office of the State Fire Marshal has announced it's Code Enforcement Spring Training Schedule for: fire chiefs, fire inspectors, and company officers responsible for inspection. Topics to be covered include: Basic Overview of MGL 148 and 527 CMR; Large Fires and Lessons Learned; Smoke and CO alarm Inspection for 1- and 2-Family Dwellings; Fireworks Regulations CMR 2; Blasting Regulations CMR 13; and Recent Changes to the Building (7th edition) and Fire Codes. 184th Recruit Firefighter Training Class Graduation Ceremony - Friday, June 19, 2009
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director Edmund M. Walker are pleased to announce the graduation of the 184th Class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's sixty-day Recruit Firefighting Program on June 19, 2009. The ceremony took place at the Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton, MA. 44 Local Firefighters Graduate Call/Volunteer Firefighting Training
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan presented certificates of completion to members of the Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training class #27 in a graduation ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10,2009. The recruit graduation took place at Case High School, Swansea, MA. HAZMAT HEADS UP -- Firefighters ordinary everyday smoke
Hazardous Materials are not only found in drums, cylinders and containers. They are found in all types of fires. If there are plastics involved (structure fires, dumpster fires or vehicle fires) cyanide is produced.Cyanide is 35% more toxic than CO. Studies now are considering cyanide as a possible leading cause of cardiac arrest to exposed firefighters. Best prevention is aggressive use of SCBA and decon your gear. Click for an excellent DOWNLOAD related to YOU and your FIREFIGHTERS. Thanks to Captain Rick Rochford Jacksonville Florida Fire Rescue Department, Craig Rogers - Draeger Safety and www.firefighterclosecalls.com . National Electrical Safety Month - May 2009
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan urges everyone to practice electrical safety everyday. "In 2007, electrical fires were the 2nd leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts." "Because electricity and electric appliances are major aspects in all of our daily lives, we must treat electricity with the respect it deserves." "Use National Electrical Safety month as a reminder to check your home for any potential electrical dangers and to teach your children about electrical safety." Savor the Flavor of a Great Memorial Day Barbecue with a Well Maintained Grill
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan would like to remind everyone to grill safely this weekend as they commemorate Memorial Day. State Fire Marshal Coan said, "Outdoor cooking incidents, such as gas grill fires, burns from flare-ups and improper use of charcoal lighter fluid, increase as people take to their backyards to enjoy a barbecue." Almost three-quarters (72%) of all gas grill fires occur between May and September.
Video of May 26th Plymouth FD Home Fire Sprinkler Demo
Tuesday, May 26th, the Plymouth FD hosted a live fire and home sprinkler burn demonstration featuring Ron Hazelton, national home improvement expert with guest speakers Jim Shannon, NFPA President and Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, Stephen Coan. Click the heading of this article to view a video of the demonstration. 3rd annual Northeast Juvenile Firesetting Conference - May 14-15, 2009
The third annual Northeast Juvenile Firesetting Conference, The Kids Behind the Crisis: From Confusion to Clarity, was held on May 14-15, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza in Worcester, MA. Over 200 mental health, fire, social service, law enforcement and juvenile justice professionals from across the United States and Canada met to learn more about the juvenile firesetting issue and to collaborate on how to address it. -- Click the Heading for more information. Special Training - Serious Fire Service Injury or LODD - May 22, 2009
For Chief Fire Officers, CISM Team Members, Company Officers, Chaplains and Firefighters
Keep Warm, Keep Safe this winter.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and all the members of the Massachusetts fire service are concerned that high energy prices this winter might also lead to an increase in fires from heating. May 20th Deadline - Assistance to Firefighters Grant(AFG) "Fire Grants"
The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Senior Fire Officer Forum Presentations
Upcoming, Current and Archived Senior Fire Officer Forums Arson Awareness Week 2009
The goal of this year's Arson Awareness Week, May 3-9, is to focus public attention on arson for profit. By drawing people's attention to the alarming statistics about arson for profit, we hope to expand the resources and support necessary to reduce this crime. Arson for profit is insurance fraud, a criminal method of obtaining money from a fire loss policy. The losses for arson are staggering! May 6 Training on Fireworks Codes & Regs.
The Department of Fire Services in conjunction with the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) is pleased to offer a one-day training program for the fire service and those employed by fireworks companies on May 6, 2009 at Devens Conference Center. This program will review the applicable MA codes as well as Federal regulations of the ATF, DOT, OSHA, and NFPA. There is a $10 fee for members of the fire service and $25 for all others. For more information or to register click on the above link.
Multi Agency Wildfire Air Ops Presentations - Starting in March
Presentations to provide fire departments within Mass. with uniform procedures to activate helicopters to aid in the extinguishing of wildfires. Senior Fire Officer Forum - April 16, 2009
Topic: CANTON RAIL INCIDENT & LESSONS LEARNED - Speakers: Chief Thomas J. Ronayne, III, Canton FD; Dir. Hook Norfolk Cnty Regional Dispatch and Reps from CSX, MBTA, & AMTRAK
Chief Officer Orientation Seminar - April 8-9, 2009
On April 8 and 9 the Department of Fire Services will once again be hosting an orientation seminar for new chief fire officers. This is a valuable opportunity to learn of the assistance and resources available to fire departments from both public and private entities. Additionally, DFS is opening up this seminar to not only new fire chiefs but to chief level officers within your department that you feel could benefit from this important informational program.
WMD Conference March 24,2009
Dr. Spertzel & Mr. Patrick, two recognized experts from The Nat'l Center for Biological Research & Training, will present a day long seminar on WMDs. Don't miss this important (FREE) presentation for first responders on the front lines of homeland security. Change Your Clock - Change Your Battery
Each year around Halloween, we turn the clocks back one hour. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Working smoke alarms can give the extra seconds needed for people to get themselves and their families out safely. Winners of High School Burn Awareness Video Contest Announced
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Thomas D'Esmond, administrator, Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston, launched Burn Awareness Week at a presentation hosted by Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston. Winners of a high school Burn Awareness video contest were announced at the event. HAZ-MAT-HEADS UP
Firefighter Near Miss-CNG Vehicle Explosion - Seattle firefighters arrive at the typical vehicle fire, which turns out to be non-typical. As the number of alternative fuel vehicles increase in the Commonwealth, firefighters should be aware of LNG, CNG as well as electric powered vehicles. During accidents and firefighting operations the following recommendations by the Seattle Fire Department may help you return to quarters, safely... The Department of Fire Services credits the Seattle Fire Department, Battalion Chief R.R. Hansen, and www.firefighternearmiss.com for their investigative and informational contributions to firefighter safety and education. Attention All DFS Licenseholders
As of May 30, 2008, if you change your address and hold an approval, license, certificate, or permit from the Department of Fire Services, you have 14 days to notify the Office of the State Fire Marshal, according to 527 CMR 1.03(6)(b).
USFA Coffee Break Training for Fire and Building Inspectors
Fire and building inspectors with busy daily schedules often don't have time to attend valuable skill-enhancing training sessions, so the United States Fire Administration (USFA) is providing Coffee Break Training bulletins for you to read and enjoy during your daily break. Safety Tips for Open Burning Season
Are Children Sleeping Through Smoke Alarms?
Recent TV reports and newspaper articles have raised public anxiety about smoke alarms questioning whether children will awaken from sleep when smoke alarms activate and take appropriate actions, such as crawling under smoke and exiting the home, in the event of smoke or fire. Unfortunately viewers may draw the wrong conclusion that smoke alarms will not wake the household in an emergency.<> <> Drills Help You Adjust Individual Family Escape Plans - If a child does not wake up to the sound of the smoke alarm, or needs help escaping for any reason, the time to find out is during the home fire drill, not during an actual fire emergency. Just as a family's plan will include how to assist babies or physically or mentally challenged children in escaping, children who do not awake to the sound of the smoke alarm may need adult assistance in escaping. More ...
Public Safety Campaign to End #1 Cause of Preventable Home Fire Deaths
The U.S. Fire Administration announced a Smoking & Home Fires Campaign to put an end to the number one cause of preventable home fire deaths. Fire Officials Remind Public Smoke Alarms Save Lives
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Fire Chief Kenneth Willette, President of the Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts reminded the public that smoke alarms save lives...
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