Forest Fire Control
Other Services

Federal Excess Property Program (FEPP): Within the Commonwealth, the Bureau administers the USDA Forest Service's Excess Property Program. This program provides cities and towns with free fire fighting materials. Any equipment acquired must be used for fire control purposes only. Since its inception, Massachusetts fire departments and agencies have benefited by the free use of portable pumps, generators, vehicles and other necessary equipment worth over $15 million.*

Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA): Through the USDA Forest Service's VFA program, the Bureau is enabled to issue grants and materials to towns with less than 10,000 population. This program provides technical, financial and other assistance to fire departments for forest fire related purposes. Small towns have been the recipients of training, Class A foam, personal protective gear, forestry tools, and other fire suppression equipment.

Smokey Bear Fire Danger Rating Signs ~ All Massachusetts Fire Department Purchase Opportunity ~ from VFA Bid Award RFR File: MA DCR#272

The DCR has initiated a program which will ‘outfit’ each qualifying VFA community with a Smokey Bear Fire Danger Rating Sign.  A portion of the grant monies each year is used to fund this project which should see its completion within the next few grant rounds.  All recognized Fire Departments (population not a factor) within the Commonwealth are welcome to purchase this same sign directly from the vendor. 

Emergencies: Assistance is provided to communities and state agencies (such as the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency) during any disaster or civil defense emergency. Bureau personnel have aided in recovery efforts after major incidents like the Blizzard of `78, Hurricane Bob and the combined hurricane and flood of 1938. Also, individual members are first responder certified, as well as trained for search and rescue operations.

Training and Instruction: Through the Massachusetts Fire Academy and by arrangement, trained Bureau personnel teach the most current information on fire behavior, modern methods of fire suppression, and conduct demonstrations using modern fire fighting equipment for training purposes. Specialized training is also provided to municipal fire-fighters to prepare them for the U.S. Forest Service Red Card, which is required for deployment to any out of state fire.

Massachusetts Wildfire Crew: The Bureau maintains a functioning, specialized wildfire crew that is Red Card certified for deployment to any out of state fire managed by the Federal Government USDA. Bureau crews have fought fires at Palomar, CA, Yellow-stone, WY, the Grasslands of North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Florida.

And, as a member of the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission, (also known as the COMPACT), the Bureau lends equipment, personnel and expertise to fellow members. Under this agreement, Massachusetts was one of several states to lend portable pumps and forestry hose to Quebec when that province was ravaged by forest fires in 1995.