Introduction

MISSION: PREVENTION, DETECTION, SUPPRESSION

The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control is responsible for the protection of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 3.5 million acres of state, public, and private forested land.

As stated in Chapter 48, Section 28 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

The State Fire Warden appointed under section five of chapter twenty-one shall aid and advise the forest wardens and their deputies in towns and the municipal officers exercising the functions of forest wardens in cities in preventing and extinguishing forest fires and in enforcing the laws relative thereto. The forester may designate not more than fifteen assistants to aid the warden. The state fire warden shall report annually to the forester upon his work and upon the forest fires occurring in the commonwealth. This report shall be included in the report of the commissioner of environmental management relative to the acts of the forester.

In 1904, the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created the office of State Forester by enacting Chapter 409, Acts of 1904. In mid 1906, Frank W. Rane took over the position of State Forester from Alfred Ackerman. During his service, Frank W. Rane laid the foundation for the modern DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control. The position of "Forest Warden" was implemented in cities and towns in the year 1907 to assist the State Forester and act as overseers for the general welfare of the local forested areas. This included the prevention and control of forest fires.

Following a busy fire season and much effort by Frank W. Rane, Chapter 722, Acts of 1911 was enacted. This Act created the position of the Commonwealth's first State Fire Warden, to which Maxwell C. Hutchins was appointed. The Chief Fire Warden was also permitted the authority to appoint up to fifteen deputies (today's thirteen District Fire Wardens) to assist him with his work.

Another important piece of legislation, The Weeks Law, was enacted by the Federal Legislature on March 1, 1911. This act provided, among other things, for the Federal Government to cooperate with states in forest fire control programs. Massachusetts was one of eleven original states to enter into an agreement with the Federal Government to cooperate in forest fire control. The tower system followed as did fire suppression assistance to cities and towns.

The Clark-McNary Act of 1924 provided further authority for the Federal Government to cooperate with states in forest fire control. This CM-2 Program, as it was generally called, was the authority for which Federal assistance and grants to states for forest fire control were authorized. In 1978, Section 2 of the Clark-McNary Act was superseded by Section 7 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (PL 95-313). This Act provided for the Federal Government to provide technical assistance and grants to states for purposes of wild land and rural community fire prevention and suppression control. Today, this is called the RFP&C (Rural Fire Prevention and Control) Program. Participation in the FEPP (Federal Excess Personal Property) Program was also authorized in this Act. (Both programs are further described in Section 2 of this directory).

Both Federal and State legislative acts provide the authority and financial basis which support the mission of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' modern DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control.

The responsibility for forest fire management has undergone several major organizational changes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since the creation of the office of State Forester in 1904.

Chapter 350, Acts of 1919, placed the office of the State Forester under a newly formed Department of Conservation (DOC). As a result, in 1920, the State Forester was appointed as Commissioner of the DOC and Director of the Division of Forestry. The State Fire Warden and work in the area of forest fire control and prevention fell under the jurisdiction of the Division of Forestry.

In 1953, following the enactment of Chapter 631 of the Massachusetts General Court, the Department of Conservation (DOC) was reorganized and became the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A Commissioner and a newly created board of citizens oversaw the activities of the new department. The Division of Forests and Parks, one of four divisions of the DNR, became the legal successor of the former Division of Forestry.

The Director of Forests and Parks was appointed to oversee the State's Forests and Parks which included fire prevention and control efforts. The State Fire Warden was renamed Chief Fire Warden and remained in charge of the newly formed Bureau of Fire Control and the "Wild land Fire Management Program." The Chief reported to the Director of the Division of Forests and Parks, who in turn reported to the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. Section 4d stipulates, "The Bureau of Fire Control shall perform such duties as the Director, with the approval of the Commissioner, may require in addition to such duties as may be required by any general or special laws." Chapter 631 also stipulated the division of the state into five regions. For fire management purposes, these regions are divided into thirteen (13) Fire Districts (#1-12, 14), each under the direction of a District Fire Warden. The District Fire Warden reports to one of the five Regional Forests and Parks Supervisors. This was implemented in the year 1961.

In 1975, Chapter 706 renamed the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the Department of Environmental Management (DCR). Maintaining the same structure, rules, and regulations as the former Department of Natural Resources, the new DCR better represented the age of environmental management. The Department of Environmental Management is under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA).

There are currently 123 positions in the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control state wide. The Bureau is authorized for 131. Of the positions filled, 60 are year-round positions, and 63 are seasonal. In addition to the above, 7 people (4 year-round and 3 seasonal) are assigned to the DCR Communications Control Center in Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton, MA (formerly known as the "Boston Radio Room"). The Communications Control Center is under the supervision of the High Ground Manager, and falls under the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control.

Under the Chief Fire Warden, the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control operates as a committee based system. Beyond the daily responsibilities of the District Wardens and Patrolmen, each is assigned to specific Committees which function as the information and control system of the Bureau. They are: The Rural Community Fire Protection Committee; The Federal Excess Property Committee; The Weather Monitoring Systems Committee; The Communications Committee; The Inventories and Reports Committee; The Equipment Committee; The Detection Committee; The Law Enforcement, Forestry, and Fire Laws Committee; The Non-Fire Emergencies Committee; The Training Committee; The Safety Committee; The Supplies and Uniforms Committee; and the Prevention Programs Committee.

Human carelessness, railroads, incendiary, and burning debris are the primary causes of forest fires in the state of Massachusetts. The loss of valuable timber; watershed areas which feed our rivers and streams; and wildlife cannot be measured only in terms of their economic value. Many are irreplaceable natural resources that when lost, change the entire ecosystem of a region.

In 1926, the Bureau of Fire Control inaugurated a system of prevention programming and pre-suppression activities. The Clark McNary Act provided the legislation and funding for the Federal Government to provide technical assistance and grants to states for purposes of wild land and rural community fire prevention and suppression control.

One program funded by this original piece of legislation is called the RFP&C (Rural Fire Prevention and Control) Program. Through the RFP&C Program, the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control conducts numerous education programs to increase public awareness on the prevention and hazards of forest fires. Much of this activity focuses on practical steps people can take to reduce the threat posed by forest fire and are often held in conjunction with local fire departments.

The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control is also active in the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Program (CFFP) which is sponsored jointly by the USDA Forest Service's branch of Cooperative Fire Protection; the National Association of State Foresters, and the Ad Council. The program utilizes CFFP materials such as "Smokey Bear," the greatest fire prevention marketing effort of our times. Smokey's tenure began during World War II when the Federal Government had a need to protect the U.S. Forests' resources from foreign threat. Smokey Bear makes appearances at schools, fairs, education programs, and parades throughout Massachusetts. The CFFP Program also maintains 17 patrols in the fire districts. These patrols are assigned fire prevention duties and work with the District Fire Wardens to further fire prevention activities.

Weather stations are used in cooperation with the National Weather Service and the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control to determine daily fire danger classifications for posting at the State's Forests and Parks areas. Measurements are performed at weather stations across the state to determine the area's relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. Types of weather stations currently in use range from a manual Hydro-Thermograph system, to a semi-automatic Davis Weather Instrument system, to one of five fully computerized FT-S weather systems. Fire danger classification is determined by the National Fire Danger Rating System. It is a measurement of a determined rate of fire spread from one to five, with a Class 1 day being very low and a Class 5 day being extremely high.

The Bureau also works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service RCFP (Rural Community Fire Protection) program. This program directly benefits rural communities by bringing fire training methods; safety equipment; fire-fighting supplies; and communications networks to communities with populations of 10,000 or less.

In addition to the above prevention programs, Bureau personnel also carry out pre-suppression activities. Pre-suppression activities attempt to control and reduce potential fire hazards through education, training, planning, and the maintenance of existing fire equipment. Pre-suppression work performed by Bureau personnel include: construction and maintenance of networks of fire access roads which link remote areas of large forests; thick brush cut back on state forest roads; water holes constructed; fire lookout towers maintained and upgraded; fire trucks, hoses and other fire-fighting apparatus maintained and repaired; fire breaks constructed and maintained; and general fuel reduction (also called "Prescribed Burning,") performed within forested areas. "Prescribed Burning" is a precision management tool which requires good planning and precision timing. Prescribed Burning can be a cost-efficient tool used to reduce fire hazards in specified areas of the state.

Prevention and pre-suppression are key to the Bureau's overall goal to protect the state's natural forested resources as well as to protect the private property and safety of its citizens.

In the year 1908, the General Court, through the efforts of the State Forester F.W.Rane, enacted Chapter 209. This law created a permitted debris burning season in the State of Massachusetts in order to control the increase of forest fires due to human carelessness when burning debris.

The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control does not issue burning permits. Towns have primary responsibility for the issuance of burning permits and suppression of fires. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) determines the quality of air in the Commonwealth and sets standards as to permitted open burning times and dates during the year. Under severe fire conditions, the Director of Forests and Parks (State Forester) through a proclamation by the Governor of Massachusetts, may revoke existing burning permits and prevent issuance of new permits. (See "Open Burning" Laws in the General Laws Section of the directory).

The early detection of forest fires is a key part of the Bureau's overall fire related activity. The sooner a suspicious smoke is located and units dispatched for investigation, the greater the decrease in needless damage to forests and property.

The majority of fires in populated areas are reported by the General Public. Education programs for the public to learn how and where to report fires is important to the detection effort. The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control provides fixed-point fire detection from 43 active fire tower locations. From their high vantage points (typically, the highest point in an area), skilled tower personnel utilize alidade tables, binoculars, and topographic maps to triangulate the precise location of a fire. This information is then dispatched to the local community fire department for first response or the Bureau District Fire Warden when the fire is on State Forest or State Park land. Tower personnel also initiate dispatch requests to the District Fire Warden for state assistance to fires when resources are requested by a town fire department. Inter-Regional dispatch of State resources should be initiated through the Regional Supervisor in the Region where the fire is located.

The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control also uses limited county-based fire patrols and contracted fixed-wing detection aircraft to supplement detection efforts of forested areas during periods of high fire danger. If a fire is detected, a quick response allows for swift deployment of equipment to the fire for the suppression effort.

The state maintains an agreement with the Massachusetts Army Air National Guard (MA ARNG) for use of aircraft in wild land fire detection activities. These aircraft operate from the Westover Air Force Base in District 11 (the western part of the state) and the Otis Air Force Base in District 1 (the eastern part of the state).

Within the state's thirteen (13) Fire Districts, crews of firefighters under the supervision of District Fire Wardens are prepared to respond when a fire strikes. Bureau units are used at all fires that occur on state owned forest land and are available to municipal fire departments for mutual assistance.

Bureau firefighters are trained in the most up to date fundamentals of forest fire behavior and fire fighting methods. They are able to cope with any situation that may arise on a fire control line. Their skills include: the use of "Incident Command" deployment (which is a managed and systematized operation for large fire occurrences); making use of natural barriers and surrounding terrain as fire controls; an understanding of fire behavior; and a knowledge of fire safety. Firefighters are also skilled in the proper use of specialized equipment maintained and ready for deployment such as: forestry tools; water pumps; motorized equipment used in the control of fire; chain saws; water tankers; portable pumps; foam units; and conventional hand tools.

Different parts of the state require specialized equipment. Large brush-breaker vehicles, which have the capability to drive through brush and small trees in pursuit of a fire, are used in Southeast Massachusetts. Four-wheel drive power wagons, known for their ability to drive through difficult and varied terrain, are used in all areas of the state.

The Bureau, under extreme hazards of wildfires to people and property, can call for backup aid from the Massachusetts Army National Guard (MAARNG) for helicopter water-drop suppression assistance. Helicopters equipped with 1000 gallon buckets of water are used for aerial drops to help contain fires in remote areas, especially where access by conventional ground fighting equipment is limited.

Massachusetts also benefits from mutual aid agreements with neighboring states and other forest fire fighting agencies. As a member of the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission (NFFPC) and through the USDA Forest Service, the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control may request assistance and resources to combat any extreme fire occurrence within the Commonwealth. This reciprocal agreement also sends firefighters outside the state. In 1998, the Massachusetts DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control deployed 40 firefighters and 8 pieces of apparatus to assist the state of Florida in its effort to control a devastating fire season.

THE HIGH GROUND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, THE CONSTRUCTION CREW, AND THE DCR COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL CENTER

The "High Ground Management Program" operates from facilities at Brimfield State Forest and the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton, Ma. Reporting directly to the Bureau's Chief Fire Warden, the High Ground Management Program is authorized by Massachusetts General Law to manage all of the Bureau's and DCR's tower facilities; mountain top areas; and communication systems as well as entering into reciprocal and financial agreements with private and state organizations for individual use of the communications and fire towers. There are currently 53 existing fire towers (43 are considered operational); 25 radio towers; and 2 state of the art microwave communications towers.

The program's Construction Crew builds, maintains, and repairs the state's existing fire towers; installs radio antennas; and builds, maintains, and repairs the DCR's (Department of Conservation and Recreation's) state owned power utilities and telephone facilities.

The program's DCR Communications Control Center, located at Wachusett Mountain (formerly called the Boston Radio Room) provides backup communication and daily incident reports for DCR personnel. Upon request of a Regional Supervisor in an inter-regional fire, Communications Control will deploy fire fighting resources from other Regions. Although the Communications Control Center is utilized by other Divisions and Bureaus of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the largest volume of use is by the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control.

In addition to radio relay communications, the Communications Control Center, with the cooperation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), also maintains the state's "Early Warning Detection System." This system gives advance notice to the State's Forests and Parks in the case of severe weather detection.

The Communications Control Center also monitors all FTS remote fire weather stations; Davis weather instrument systems; a DTM Doppler satellite radar weather system; and provides emergency information to all DCR units upon threat of any natural disasters.

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