Feb 08
Chimney & Woodstove Fire Safety
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Brewster Fire Department
Official Facebook page of the Brewster, Massachusetts Fire Department
Brewster Fire/Rescue Reminds Everyone that Fireworks are Illegal in Massachusetts and Can Cause Serious Injuries or Death. ![]()
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We also Wish You and Your Families a Safe and Enjoyable July 4th Holiday Weekend.![]()
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Use of Fireworks is Illegal in Massachusetts![]()
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July 4th is a Busy Time for Firefighters ![]()
The Fourth of July is a busy time for firefighters. They are supervising professional fireworks shows and responding to all types of fires and medical emergencies. There may be fewer fireworks shows this year due to social distancing, but fire departments will still be very busy. In fact, the week of July 4th is one of the busiest times of the year for fires. Firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals ask you to help us during this pandemic, and leave the fireworks to the professionals. The possession and use of all fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts. This includes Class C fireworks which are sometimes falsely called “safe and sane fireworks.” Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Sparklers burn at 1800ºF. ![]()
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It is illegal to transport fireworks into Massachusetts, even if they were purchased legally elsewhere. Illegal fireworks can be confiscated on the spot. ![]()
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Do Not Purchase Fireworks through Mail-Order or Online Catalogs ![]()
Do not purchase fireworks by mail. Government cannot prohibit the advertising and sale of fireworks by mail, but police do confiscate illegal shipments of fireworks. Many consumers attempting to circumvent the law have lost both their money and their fireworks. ![]()
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Set a Good Example for Children ![]()
Children imitate adults. If you use fireworks, children will copy you, not realizing how very dangerous fireworks are. Thirty-eight percent, (38%), of fireworks-related burn injuries reported by hospitals to the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the last 10 years (2010-2019) were to children under age 18. Twenty-five percent, (25%), were children under age 10.![]()
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Burns and Injuries Caused by Fireworks ![]()
In the past decade (2010-2019), 37 people were treated at Massachusetts emergency rooms for severe burns injuries from fireworks (burns covering 5% of more of the body) according to the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (M-BIRS). Fifty-four percent of the victims were under age 25. These victims are scarred for life. ![]()
• On July 4, 2019, a 29-year old Charlton man received burns to 9% of his body and puncture wounds to his back from a fireworks explosion. State Police confiscated a large cache of illegal fireworks from his home. ![]()
• On July 4, 2019, a 28-year old Lynn man burned both of his hands while lighting fireworks. ![]()
• On July 5, 2019, a 16-year old male from Dartmouth received 1st- & 2nd-degree burns on the lower portions of his body from a fireworks explosion. ![]()
• On July 9, 2019, a 4-year old Boston girl grabbed a burning sparkler that someone else was holding and received burns to her left hand. ![]()
• On July 10, 2019, a 29-year old Rutland man received burns to his upper extremities from fireworks.![]()
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Be Safe! ![]()
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals!
Brewster Fire Responds to Overturned Fuel Oil Truck![]()
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On Friday June 24 at 7:38 p.m. Brewster Fire/Rescue responded to an overturned fuel oil truck at the intersection of Long Pond Road and Twinturn Road. On arrival units found the rolled over 3,000 tanker leaking fuel oil with the driver trapped in the cab area. Brewster firefighters immediately began the process of patient care and extrication. The Harwich Fire Department was requested to the scene and assisted with the extrication process and capture of the leaking oil. After an approximately 30 minute difficult extrication the driver was removed and transported to Cape Cod Hospital. ![]()
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A Tier II response of the State Hazardous Material team was also requested for assistance in securing the vehicle and mitigation of the spill. Approximately 2,400 gallons of fuel oil leaked from the vehicle onto the roadway, adjacent grass areas, and catch basins. The DEP and a certified hazardous material clean-up company responded to the scene and will be responsible to manage the clean-up process. ![]()
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Brewster Fire would also like to thank the following responders for the outstanding assistance they provided during the incident. Brewster DPW, Brewster Police, Harwich Fire, Dennis Fire, Orleans Fire, Providence Canteen Unit, Bucklers Towing, Eversource, State Police, Harwich Police, BCI.
Fire Prevention Officer/EMT Philip Burt Graduates from the Massachusetts State Fire Academy Career Firefighter Training Program![]()
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Brewster Fire congratulates Phil on his successful completion of the State Fire Academy Career Training Program. For the past 10 weeks he has traveled to the State Fire Academy in Bridgewater and Stow to hone his firefighting knowledge, skills, and abilities and obtain his Pro-Board certification. We also commend and thank his family for adjusting their daily lives and supporting him throughout the program.![]()
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All of your brothers and sisters at Brewster Fire wish you a long and successful career!
Brewster Firefighters Attend Forcible Entry Training Program![]()
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On Thursday June 23 Firefighters Matt Tucker, Alex McHugh, Matt Morthland, Chris Drumm, and Tim Johnson attended a forcible entry training program at the New England Fire Chiefs Association Annual Conference. The classroom and hands-on program was presented by Connecticut Custom Fire Training and included inward/outward forcible entry and thru-the-lock techniques, tool selection and use, and a metal cutting station. A great day of training for our staff who will now be able to share their new skills with other department members.
Line of Duty Deaths
- May 12, 2022: Ryan Erickson, Firefighter - Blomkest, MN June 28, 2022
- May 31, 2022: Brandon Yaeger, Firefighter/Driver - Reidsville, NC June 28, 2022
- May 26, 2022: Terry Cassidy, Firefighter - Cromwell, IN June 28, 2022
- Jun 11, 2022: Stephen Feron, Firefighter/Ex-Chief - Hauppauge, NY June 28, 2022
- Jun 06, 2022: Christopher Allen, Driver/Engineer - Hollywood, FL June 28, 2022