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Department of Fire Services

Governor Deval Patrick today joined Public Safety Secretary Mary Elizabeth Heffernan and State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan to honor firefighters from 15 Massachusetts communities for heroic acts of bravery during the 23rd annual “Firefighter of the Year” Awards ceremony. The ceremony was held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

 Just a week after Halloween, Sunday, November 6 marks the end of Daylight Saving Time. Change your clock, change your battery! When you turn the clocks back one hour, don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall of all pourable gel fuels made or sold by the following nine manufacturers and distributors: Bird Brain Inc., Bond Manufacturing, Sunjel Company, Fuel Barons Inc., Lamplight Farms Inc., Luminosities Inc., Pacific Décor Ltd., Real Flame, and Smart Solar Inc. This recall is being made due to the severe risks of flash fires and burns when consumers refuel an already burning fire pot with pourable gel. This can cause it to ignite unpredictably and splatter onto people and/or objects close by. Consumers should immediately stop using gel fuel and can contact these nine firms to get information for a refund of the product and also for returning unused bottles and jugs.

The Department of Fire Services is pleased to announce the Fire Prevention Officer Credentialing Program. This series of trainings and exams will lead to the designation of "Fire Prevention Officer - Basic", "Fire Prevention Officer - Level I" and "Fire Prevention Officer - Level II". The attached presentation outlines the process as well as the timeline for these programs. Look for more information to be posted on our website in mid December.

“Every second weekend in March, we turn the clocks ahead one hour. This is a good time to change the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan. “March is one of the months where many fatal fires occur. They happen where we feel safest – at home – and at night when most people are sleeping. Making sure the smoke alarms are working is a simple, effective way to help your family survive an unexpected fire,” said Coan. Coan added, “Remember that on Sunday, March 11, when you Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries.”

The winners of a statewide contest for high school media students, the YouTube™ Burn Awareness Video Contest, sponsored by the state Department of Fire Services, the Mass. Association of Safety and Fire Educators (MA SAFE), and the Mass. Property Insurance Underwriting Association, were announced on February 13, 2012 at event hosted by Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston, a pediatric burn hospital. The first place winning team was from Millis High School for their video Catch the Heat; the second place winners were from Sharon High School for their video Kids and Lighters, and the third place winners were from Masconomet Regional High for their video Girls Night Out. The Department of Fire Services has posted the winning videos on its You Tube™ channel at http://www.youtube.com/DFSOSFM.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Chicago Fire Department Release New Everyone Goes Home® Video:  In an effort to make personal safety a top priority, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) today released a new video, Chicago Fire Department - Everyone Goes Home®. Members of the CFD and families of fallen firefighters share their stories in this compelling and moving testimonial of the importance of adhering to safety standards and accepting personal responsibility for following procedures.

The Department of Fire Services is pleased to offer a series of seminars to address the issue of illegal apartments and the development of strategies to achieve safe housing in communities. This training will emphasize a team approach to achieving safe housing by focusing on the various codes and enforcement authorities which may be applicable for compliance and enforcement. Presenters will define the problems relating to illegal and/or unsafe housing and the steps available, under Massachusetts law, to ensure that such housing is made safe. This program is offered to fire, health, building and law enforcement officials.

“Pool safety has been highlighted this past week with two young children drowning in pools. Another hazard is the chemicals we use to maintain swimming pools,” said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan, “It’s important to take a moment to make a pool chemical safety plan and share it with family members.”   More 

May is National Electrical Safety Month, and State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts President Paul Zbikowksi want to raise awareness about potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety.  MORE 

This training is for the purpose of educating and informing local fire departments of the new regulation and its requirements. This training is in addition to what is being offered to the regulated community and is designed for fire service personnel only. The new regulation contains requirements of both facilities handling hazardous materials and the local head of the fire department. MORE 

The Department of Fire Services hosted the second Fire Service Professional Development Summit on March 12, 2012 where Superintendent of the National Fire Academy Dr. Denis Onieal presented certificates of recognition to the representatives of four Massachusetts colleges for their adoption of the nationally recognized Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) model curriculum for fire science majors. The four colleges being honored are Anna Maria College and Bunker Hill, Mount Wachusett and Quinsigamond Community Colleges. MORE 

The Department of Fire Services is pleased to introduce a multi-level training program for fire prevention officers. The training will prepare them to receive credentials for each level of the training from the State Fire Marshal - Basic, Level I and Level II. The first level - Fire Prevention Officer - Basic has an e-learning component and is the first part of the training to be launched. This program is the introductory level of our new Fire Prevention Officer Credentialing program and is designed to address the need of everyday fire prevention activities across the Commonwealth by providing information on basic inspections, smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarms, liquid propane (LP) installations and oil burner installations. The Credentialing Program will be issued by the State Fire Marshal to any Massachusetts fire service individual. Individuals must be a member of a Massachusetts fire department or Department of Fire Services staff. The credential will be issued upon receipt of a completed application by any firefighter and verification of the successful completion of the training program and examination.