David M. Durgin, Fire Chief The following information and statistics are provided for the <strong>Northborough</strong> Fire Department for <strong>2011</strong>: Emergency Incident Response During the year, the <strong>Northborough</strong> Fire Department responded to 2,180 emergency incidents, performed 868 inspectional services, and authorized open burning 754 times. Comparative analysis <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>2011</strong>. 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 <strong>2011</strong>. <strong>2011</strong> Severe Weather Events The department was faced with a multitude <strong>of</strong> severe weather events throughout the year. In June, tornados touched down in western Massachusetts and on the periphery <strong>of</strong> Worcester County. <strong>Northborough</strong> responded an engine company as part <strong>of</strong> the State Fire Mobilization Plan’s Structural Task Force 14-B to the City <strong>of</strong> Springfield. The task force engaged in search and rescue missions in the heart <strong>of</strong> Springfield and outlying suburban neighborhoods. Fire Chaplain Richard Martino was also activated for two days to the <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> Monson as part <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>Northborough</strong> with catastrophic tree damage, unprecedented road closures, and the complete loss <strong>of</strong> power for days. Immediate action was begun to reopen roads for the protection <strong>of</strong> life and property and movement <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> October 31. Efforts continued on the ultimate restoration <strong>of</strong> power, and by pairing government, National Grid, and out-<strong>of</strong>-state utility crews, power was restored to 80 percent <strong>of</strong> the town on the morning <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> Captain/ EMT-I Robert P. Theve. To take advantage <strong>of</strong> any <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> mutual aid resources, hazardous materials mitigation response, dive rescue, confined space and trench rescue, weapons <strong>of</strong> 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.
FEBRUARY 2013 School Vacation Week 29 Please see <strong>Town</strong> Boards, Committees & Commissions Meeting Schedule on page 59. Visit the <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Northborough</strong>’s website at www.town.northborough.ma.us for more info.