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News & Announcements:
A NOTE FROM CHIEF NELSON:
Hello all,
As we know, area July 4th activities have been canceled in order to protect us from spreading Covid 19. Everyone is of course disappointed but we can’t allow that disappointment to turn into tragedy.
We’ve had an increase in the use of fireworks and at least two recent fires in our area were directly caused by fireworks.
Possession and use of fireworks is illegal in Massachusetts. They are just plain dangerous. Everyone thinks nothing bad will happen to them when they set off fireworks...until something bad happens. Every year around this time people suffer burns, eye injuries, loss of fingers or worse due to fireworks.
Think about your safety and the safety of those you care about. Leave fireworks to the professionals.
Tim Nelson
Chief
SMOKE DETECTOR INSPECTIONS (26F):
The state of Massachusetts has issued an emergency order changing the requirements temporarily for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector inspections for the sale of existing homes. Until further notice you do NOT need a Certificate of Compliance to sell a home. The legal burden is now on the BUYER to secure a Certificate of Compliance within 90 days of the emergency order being lifted (date yet to be determined). In line with this directive the Amherst Fire Department is NOT currently scheduling or conducting Smoke Detector Inspections for sales. The BUYER MUST submit a Buyers Agreement Form to the Fire Department within 72 hours of the sale closing. This order does NOT apply to inspections for new construction which we are still processing.
For a copy of the Buyers Agreement to submit to Fire Department click here.
For a copy of the state order pertaining to Smoke Detectors click here.
FIRE STATIONS CLOSED TO VISITORS:Due to the COVID-19 situation our Fire Stations, including the business office, are closed to all visitors until further notice. This measure is being taken to help protect our personnel from unnecessary exposure to potential illness so that they will be ready to serve the community as needed. Anyone needing to conduct business such as for permits, records, etc., should call our business office (413-259-3082) during normal business hours.
BURNING PERMITS: Season Closed.
Open air burning is allowed by state regulations from January 15th thru May 1st each year.
For more information on the state regulations pertaining to open air burning please click here.
REPORTS POSTED: NEW! 2017 Staffing Study added here.
Copies of various reports done by and about the fire department spanning over three decades are available here. The reports and associated presentations give insight as to the activity level of the department both now and in the past, as well as information on the rationale and proposals for constructing a new fire station. Click here for list of available reports.
