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The Town of Danvers, Massachusetts was incorporated in 1757 and abuts the
historic city of Salem. It sits approximately 17 miles north of Boston, and has experienced
tremendous growth over the past 20 years like the rest of the North Shore region.
The community has 25,212 permanent residents but experiences a daily influx of as
many as 50,000 people who work in the many businesses, shop in an abundance of
retail stores, or attend schools. Many more simply travel through town on Interstate
128, Interstate 95, or U.S. Route 1. There is a mix of residential, commercial, and
industrial occupancies, and the town also hosts North Shore Community College, Essex
Agricultural Technical Institute, and St. John’s Preparatory School. The land area
protected is 14.09 square miles.
The Danvers Fire Department is charged with protecting this diverse community
with 51 career personnel. The department is led by a Chief and Deputy Chief. A
single Lieutenant performs fire prevention and fire investigation functions. The remaining
personnel are divided into 12 man shifts who work a 42 hour week with two 10
hour days, two 14 hour nights, and four days off. Each shift is commanded by a Captain,
but a Lieutenant may fill in during a vacation or sick day. Fire Headquarters is
located in the downtown area and houses Engine 1, a 100', 2000 gpm quint with an
assignment of four firefighters; Rescue 1, a mid-sized rescue truck with extrication,
search, and medical equipment and carrying the shift officer and a firefighter; and
Engine 3, a conventional 1250 gpm pumper with a Lieutenant and two firefighters.
Although the shift officer generally rides the Rescue, he has the discretion of going on
any truck depending on the call. Also housed at this station are a reserve engine, a
forestry truck, an Essex County owned pick-up truck with a foam trailer and a Decontamination
Trailer which is part of the Massachusetts’s hazardous materials response
system.
Station 2 is located 3 miles away near the old Danvers State Hospital which is
now closed. Engine 2 is a 75', 1250 gpm quint with a Lieutenant and two firefighters.
Also in the station is a county owned aerial truck. All engines have 500 gallon water
tanks except for Engine 2 which carries 400 gallons. Standard shift staffing is 12, and
no less than 10 personnel are on a shift. An absent officer is often replaced by a senior
firefighter. Engines 2 and 3 always maintain three man crews while Engine 1 may
operate with as few as two. The Rescue has a two man assignment and routinely operates
with Engine 1 as a two piece company.
New appointees must complete the 11 week training program at the Massachusetts
Firefighting Academy. All members are Massachusetts’s Emergency Medical
Technicians. Firefighters are equipped with NFPA approved turnout gear and Scott 4.5
SCBA’s. Training, vehicle maintenance, and other specific roles are performed by
designated officers in addition to their supervisory and fire suppression responsibilities.
The department utilizes a 483 MHz radio system and can communicate with
area agencies via multiple channel portable and vehicle radios. Dispatch is performed
by civilians located at the Police Department. Two dispatchers are present at all times
with one handling police calls and the other dealing with fire and EMS. During crisis
situations, they assist each other to properly manage communications. A second alarm
fire results in the call back of the lead dispatcher. Danvers has a long standing EMS
contract with a local ambulance firm which provides ALS and basic life support services,
and are automatically dispatched to working fires.
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