Report of the Fire Department

Just for information purposes even though a firefighter receives a stipend the Federal Government has ruled that as long as that stipend does not exceed 20% of the total compensation that the employer would pay to employ a full-time firefighter it would be deemed a “nominal fee,” and therefore would not endanger a firefighter’s volunteer status.
 

We are still having a hard time locating houses especially at night. If you can’t see your house number from the road clearly at night when you know where to look then imagine how hard it is for a fire truck or ambulance driver to spot it when they don’t know where it is. The added time it takes can mean life or property may be lost. Help us to help you. There are more and more lighted type house numbers available whether with batteries, hardwired, photocells, or at least reflective so that they show up when the light strikes them. Remember that in an emergency speed in finding you is to your advantage.
 

Remember that all residences by law are supposed to have Carbon Monoxide Detectors. At least one is needed on every habitable level, and one ten feet or less from every bedroom door. Any questions contact the Fire Department office Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.
 

The Southwick Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the Board of Selectmen, Town Officials, Police Department, Department of Public Works, Emergency Telecommunication Dispatchers and especially the People of the Town of Southwick for their continued support.
 

Respectfully submitted,
 

Don W. Morris

Fire Chief
 

 

2	Fire, Other
4	Building Fire
11	Cooking fire, confined to container
5	Chimney or flue fire, confined
9	Fuel burner/boiler malfunction
5	Trash or rubbish fire, contained
1	Passenger vehicle fire
4	Natural vegetation fire, other
6	Brush,or brush and grass mixture fire
4	Grass fire
2	Outside rubbish fire, other
2	Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire
1	Special outside fire, other
3	Rescue,emergency medical call (EMS)
5	Medical assist, assist EMS crew
5	EMS excludes vehicle accident w/injury
6	Vehicle accident with injuries
1	Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident
5	Motor vehicle accident with no injuries
1	Extrication, Rescue, Other
2	Extrication of victim(s) from vehicle
1	Water & ice related rescue, other
1	Rescue or EMS standby
1	Hazardous condition, other
1	Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill
4	Gas leak (natural gas or LPG)
2	Chemical spill or leak
6	Carbon monoxide incident
4	Electrical wiring/equipment problem
9	Power lines down
3	Arcing, shorted electrical equipment
5	Accident, potential accident, other
4	Vehicle accident, general cleanup
	Service Call, other
2	Smoke or odor removal
1	Assist police or other gov. agency
3	Public service
1	Assist invalid
12	Unauthorized burning
10	Good intent call, other
3	No incident found on arrival at address
2	Authorized controlled burning
23	Smoke scare, odor of smoke
5	False alarm or false call, other
1	Steam, vapor, dust thought to be smoke
2	Hazmat release invest. w/no hazmat
2	Smoke detector activation: malfunction
2	System malfunction, other
15	Alarm system sound: malfunction
10	CO detector activation: malfunction
2	Smoke detector activation: unintentional
22	Alarm system sounded: unintentional
6	Carbon monoxide detector: no CO
1	Detector activation, no fire-unintentional
2	Lightning strike (no fire)
253	Fire Calls
797	Emergency Ambulance Runs
1050	Total Response
457	Burning Permits:  January 15 to May 1
295	Other Permits(Smoke Detector, Burner Inspections)