2011 Annual Report - Town of Northborough

David M. Durgin, Fire Chief
The following information and statistics are provided for
the Northborough Fire Department for 2011:
Emergency Incident Response
During the year, the Northborough Fire Department responded
to 2,180 emergency incidents, performed 868 inspectional
services, and authorized open burning 754 times. Comparative
analysis of twelve other similar-sized communities reveals
the fire department operates at an 18% below average
cost per capita and 3% above average cost per incident.
Fire loss during the year totaled $280,000 with $228,000
from structure losses, $31,000 from vehicle losses, and
$21,000 from other unclassified losses. I am pleased to
report that there were no fire-related civilian or firefighter
fatalities, only one civilian injury and one firefighter injury
during 2011.
Ambulance/Advanced Life Support
The fire department operates two Class One state-licensed
ambulances at the paramedic advanced life support level.
These units responded to 1,191 requests for emergency medical
services in 2011.
2011 Severe Weather Events
The department was faced with a multitude of severe weather
events throughout the year. In June, tornados touched down
in western Massachusetts and on the periphery of Worcester
County. Northborough responded an engine company as part
of the State Fire Mobilization Plan’s Structural Task Force
14-B to the City of Springfield. The task force engaged in
search and rescue missions in the heart of Springfield and
outlying suburban neighborhoods.
Fire Chaplain Richard Martino was also activated for two
days to the Town of Monson as part of the Department of
28
Fire Department/
Emergency
Medical Services
Fire Services’ Chaplain Corps to support the fire
department, town departments, and the town’s
people.
On August 26, Hurricane Irene, now a tropical
storm, made landfall in New England as a
rain and wind event. Preplanning and preparation
were commenced well in advance of Irene’s
arrival with several departmental readiness and
town departmental meetings. The town’s Emergency
Operations Center was activated under a
unified command encompassing the Department
of Public Works, police, fire, EMS, emergency
preparedness, and town government. Efforts following
Irene were focused on road opening and
debris removal, and interfacing with National
Grid power restoration to insure timely service
to the town.
On October 28, a fast moving northeaster brought heavy,
wet snow to Northborough with catastrophic tree damage,
unprecedented road closures, and the complete loss of power
for days. Immediate action was begun to reopen roads for
the protection of life and property and movement of utility
crews to restore electricity, phone, and cable services. Assistance
was requested through the Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency for assistance with tree removal. Two
saw crews from the National Guard were dispatched, and a
tree bucket crew from the Department of Conservation and
Recreation were provided, as well as two supervisors and six
trouble trucks sent from National Grid. A private tree crew
and bucket truck were contracted to assist with emergency
road opening, and all roads were passable by the afternoon
of October 31.
Efforts continued on the ultimate restoration of power,
and by pairing government, National Grid, and out-of-state
utility crews, power was restored to 80 percent of the town
on the morning of November 1.
Fire Prevention and Public Education
The department continues to be proactive in fire safety, first
aid, CPR, and fire extinguisher training throughout the community.
Fire education, safety training programs, and the
S.A.F.E. program and grant are under the direction of Captain/
EMT-I Robert P. Theve. To take advantage of any of our safety
or educational opportunities, please call (508) 393-1537.
Regional Firefighting Collaborations
The department continues to be involved at the regional
level through Massachusetts Fire District Fourteen for the
coordination of mutual aid resources, hazardous materials
mitigation response, dive rescue, confined space and trench
rescue, weapons of mass destruction, decontamination, and
ten alarm/disaster dispatching. The department personnel and
equipment also participate in the State Fire Mobilization Plan.
Recruitment
Anyone interested in joining the department or in learning
more about career and on-call opportunities is encouraged to
contact the department at (508) 393-1537.