Massachusetts Department of Fire Services

Mashpee fire investigation

The #MashpeeMA Fire Department yesterday battled a fire in a mobile home where the occupant tragically suffered fatal injuries. This was the fifth Massachusetts fire death since 10/1/25 where no working smoke alarms were found. Read more: www.mass.gov/news/fatal-f...

Firefighters training for confined space rescue

#TechRescue Tuesday: The Mass Fire Academy recently delivered the Confined Space Rescue Technician course at our Bridgewater campus. For five days, firefighters from across the state progressed from definitions & identification to planning and executing technician-level rescues.

crash responder safety week

#CrashResponderSafetyWeek runs from Nov. 17-21, 2025. This year's theme is "Safety starts with you!" When you see flashing lights on the roadway, slow down, move over, and give fire/rescue, EMS, police, towing/recovery, and maintenance personnel room to work: ow.ly/QUc650XqCok

DFS #Hazmat techs, Special Operations staff, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office supported #LudlowMA FD when old and degraded reactive chemicals were reported in a home. Read more about the comprehensive, multidisciplinary response: www.mass.gov/news/dfs-haz...

Halifax fire investigation

#ICYMI: #HalifaxMA FD battled a fire that claimed a resident's life early Monday. Investigators found no #SmokeAlarms in the home. Please take a few mins to check in with older friends/relatives to see if they need a hand installing or testing alarms: www.mass.gov/news/fatal-f...

Firefighters training to break through a door

Firefighters training to break through a door

Firefighters training to break through a door

Break on through to the other side! Mass Fire Academy recruits learn a variety of forcible entry methods so they can search for trapped occupants and attack an interior fire. These recruits are training with the irons -- a Halligan & an axe -- on one of our door simulator props.

Firefighter watching a video screen in a mobile command post

mobile command post at an airport

mobile command post at an airport

The DFS Special Operations team delivered our new Incident Support Trailer to assist Massport Fire Rescue at a drill at Hanscom Field. The IST provides full conferencing, communications, & mapping capabilities in a trailer-based version of our full-sized Incident Support Units.

Firefighters training for rope rescue

#TechRescue Tuesday: The Mass Fire Academy recently delivered its Rope Rescue: Operational Level course at #WestminsterMA FD. Firefighters from across the state developed a strong foundation for performing rescue ops in low- and high-angle environments, lowering and hauling systems, and more.

Yes! We recommend switching out the alkaline backup batteries in hardwired smoke alarms twice a year to be on the safe side. The alarm itself should be replaced after 10 years because the sensors degrade over time.

It's not too late! If you didn't change the batteries in your #SmokeAlarms and #CarbonMonoxide alarms yesterday, you can do it today. While you're at it, check the manufacturing date on the back. Replace smoke alarms after 10 years and CO alarms after 5, 7, or 10 years depending on the model.

Firefighter Hazmat and rehab vehicles

Firefighter Hazmat and rehab vehicles

DFS #Hazmat techs and Special Operations staff recently supported #SandwichMA FD at the scene of a possible chemical hazard. From specialized training, tools, and meters to hot coffee and dry socks, DFS resources are always available to support our local partners.

DFS #Hazmat techs recently took part in an exercise to simulate the Massachusetts response to an emergency at Seabrook nuclear power plant. With MEMA, the Red Cross, and other partners, they drilled on Reception Center operations that would assist first responders and the public.

Plug space heaters into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip

The chill is setting in! If you're using a space heater, please do it safely -- always plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip, and keep it at least three feet from curtains, bedding, or anything else that might burn: ow.ly/bynq50XisZT

change your clocks, check your alarms

#DaylightSavingTime ends next week! When you #FallBack this year, check your alarms when you change your clocks. The manufacturing date is printed on the back. Replace alarms that are out of date and replace alkaline batteries in alarms that use them: ow.ly/K8QQ50TR42s

A little rain didn't deter the Massachusetts Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force from visiting DFS for a tour, an overview of our Special Operations capabilities, and their regular meeting. Want to learn more about TERT? Visit www.mass.gov/tert-telecom...!

firefighters training for trench rescue

#TechRescue Tuesday: The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's Technical Rescue Group recently delivered its Trench Rescue Technician course at #AndoverMA Fire Rescue. About 20 firefighters from across the state trained for these high-risk rescue scenarios. Great work by students & instructors!

Have a safe and happy Diwali

Happy #Diwali to all our friends who celebrate! If you plan to use candles or diyas to observe the holiday, please do it safely. Keep anything that can burn at least one foot away. And always extinguish them before you leave the room or go to sleep! Learn more about candle safety: ow.ly/WU3950Q5CbN

Firefighters opening a firehouse

Firefighters opening a firehouse

Firefighters opening a firehouse

State Fire Marshal Davine joined Chief Breen, Mayor Ballantyne, and the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social Fire Department this weekend for the opening of their new firehouse in Assembly Square. This modern station will help firefighters protect the city while protecting their occupational health.

All hands herald magazine

Have you seen the latest edition of the All Hands Herald? Our magazine for the Massachusetts fire service has features on the tragic Gabriel House fire, 25 years of Special Operations, Fire Academy history, and more! Visit www.mass.gov/doc/septembe....

Bomb techs at an explosion investigation

Firefighter support vehicles

Firefighters in a yard

The DFS Joint Hazard Incident Response Team, Special Operations staff, and State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit recently assisted #WarehamMA FD as they investigated an explosion in a home. These teams regularly train together to ensure cohesion at complex responses like this one.

#TechRescue Tuesday: 20+ firefighters from across the state took part in the Mass Fire Academy's 7th Structural Collapse Recue Technician Course, held at our Bridgewater campus. Great work by all our students! Thank you to our instructors and support staff for making it possible!

The smoke alarm in State Fire Marshal Davine's hand was recovered at the scene of a fire where two adults and three children perished. It had no batteries. Please be sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home. Choose alarms w/ sealed, 10-year batteries so they can't be disabled.

State Fire Marshal and fire chiefs

Yesterday, the Westborough Fire Department hosted State Fire Marshal Davine and fire chiefs from across Massachusetts for a press conference reminding residents to replace smoke alarms after 10 years. Read more and watch the event: ow.ly/faUy50X82yr

firefighters training for trench rescue

#TechRescue Tuesday: The Mass Fire Academy recently delivered its Trench Rescue Technician course at the #BurlingtonMA Fire Department. FFs from as far west as Springfield engaged in classroom instruction and practical exercises to prepare for these dangerous and challenging scenarios.

#OTD in 1971, the Legislature approved Ch. 842 of the Acts of 1971, establishing the Fire Training Council and, in what was then the Division of Occupational Education, "a training school for firefighters to be known as the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy." We've grown a lot since then!

Fire Prevention Week 2025

Thank you to @massgovernor.bsky.social for proclaiming Oct. 5-11 as #FirePreventionWeek in Massachusetts! This year's theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home." Choose, use, & recycle these batteries safely: www.mass.gov/info-details...

The Mass Fire Academy recently delivered its #Flashover Simulator prop to #EasthamptonMA FD. Firefighters received classroom instruction on the characteristics of flashover -- when all combustible materials in a room ignite simultaneously -- followed by live fire evolutions.

October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth. A recent survey showed that breast cancer accounted for more than 25% of cancer diagnoses among women firefighters. DFS offers free mammograms and other cancer screenings for eligible firefighters: learn more at https://ow.ly/C8Is50To5MQ

Fallen Firefighters Memorial

On this date in 1964, Boston Fire Lt. John McCorkle, Lt. John Geswell, FF Robert Clougherty, FF Francis Murphy, & FF James Sheedy made the ultimate sacrifice at a five-alarm fire on Trumbull St. Read more: https://www.firehero.org/2021/10/25/memorial-monday-boston-toy-factory-fire/

#TechRescue Tuesday: The Mass Fire Academy's Technical Rescue Program recently delivered a Water Rescue course for members of the Southeastern Mass Technical Rescue Team. Firefighters practiced shore-based & in-water rescues. Great work by our students! Thank you to our instructors & support staff!