“I’ve seen firsthand his steady leadership, sound judgment, and commitment to our mission,” Burke said of Marshall. “He is a good choice by the Mayor—and he will be a great commissioner.”

Wu commended Marshall for his “quick thinking and bravery” and explained he had “earned trust every step of the way” in his 35 years with the department.

“As a lifelong Bostonian, he knows our communities, has demonstrated his leadership on the job, and has devoted his career to serving and protecting our residents. It’s my honor to appoint him as our next Fire Commissioner,” Wu said in a statement.

Marshall, a Dorchester native and Boston College graduate, will become the 45th fire commissioner in the city’s history. He is currently the Deputy Fire Chief and Chief of Operations.

“I love this department, and I love this city,” he said.

He explained that the job is all about “teamwork” and emphasized the importance of firefighters’ place in the community. Marshall vowed that all firehouses will be open in the summer.

WBZ-TV CBS 4 Boston

The post Rodney Marshall makes history as Boston’s first Black fire commissioner appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

The department’s first responders now have enhanced tools to assist residents during medical emergencies. The Chicopee Fire Department has changed the licensing on its trucks. This change allows fire apparatus to transport basic life support equipment directly to emergency scenes, improving immediate patient care.

Chicopee Fire Department Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski stated the department is highly active in medical responses. “We respond to 15,000 calls, more than 15,000 calls last year, two-thirds of that being medical response,” Stamborski said.

Katie Collins-Kalbaugh of the Chicopee Fire Department highlighted the immediate benefits of the new capabilities. “Typically you have to wait for the ambulance to arrive to start some of these and now as soon as the fire apparatus gets there, if anyone is in need of any of these interventions, medications, we have it all available right there,” Collins-Kalbaugh said.

The new equipment carried on fire trucks includes albuterol and nebulizers for asthma, Epi-Pens, basic medications like ibuprofen and Tylenol and supplies for people with diabetes. First responders have undergone extensive training to ensure they are prepared to use this equipment effectively in any situation.

Chicopee Mayor John Vieau expressed reassurance about the new diabetic supplies, given his daughter has Type one diabetes. Vieau emphasized the importance of quick access to these items. “Her sugar went low, she needed some type of help and care and having simple glucose tablets or some type of liquid on the apparatus when your sugar is low is critical for someone who has Type-1,” Vieau said.

WWLP-TV NBC/CW+ 22 Springfield

The post New gear on Chicopee fire trucks enhances patient care appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Fire officials say the fire was first reported in an electrical room around 1:30 a.m. but has since been brought under control. There were no reported injuries.

Because the fire knocked out power to some parts of the hospital, 26 patients were being transferred to other hospitals, including Boston Medical Center’s main campus. Twenty-four of those patients were in the Intensive Care Unit, two were transferred from the emergency room.

Family members of those who were transferred to other hospitals have been notified. The hospital is currently being powered by a generator while repairs are being made and it is operating under a Code Black, which means no ambulances are bringing patients in but people can walk in if they need help.

As a result of the incident, some planned elective procedures and outpatient appointments are being rescheduled. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

WHDH-TV 7 Boston

The post Fire prompts evacuation of some patients from Boston Medical Center’s Brighton campus appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

In a social media post by the Leverett Fire Department at around 1:25 a.m., a second alarm fire was called for a fire on North Leverett Road. The residents were able to get out of the home safely.

Crews from surrounding towns assisted. No additional information has been released at this time.

WWLP-TV NBC/CW+ 22 Springfield

The post Fire destroys home in Leverett, residents safe appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli said that the fire began around 2 p.m. behind Westgate Lanes, a bowling alley with an arcade. When firefighters arrived, three tractor-trailers were on fire, and two more had caught flame. There were around 10 tractor-trailers on the property at the time, according to firefighters. Black smoke could be seen rising from the site of the fire and loud booms could be heard.

The fire then spread into nearby wood, causing a brush fire behind the tractor-trailers, firefighters said. “It was found that this fire had extended to the woods behind it, DW Fields Park with an aggressive nature and spreading,” Nardelli said in a statement.

Several fire trucks worked to fight the flames coming from the tractor-trailers, while others were stationed on a nearby access street in case the brush fire spread further, according to Nardelli. The brush fire damaged about 2 acres of land but did not damage any buildings. The flames were put out after around 90 minutes.

No injuries were reported. A total of 6 tractor-trailers were damaged by the flames. The cause of the fire has not been determined. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating. “Unknown if it was accidental or anything nefarious,” Nardelli said. He explained that the fire marshal will “run a dog over it to sniff out any accelerants.”

WBZ-TV CBS 4 Boston

The post Video shows tractor-trailers on fire near Brockton bowling alley as flames spread to nearby woods appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

According to officials, three people were inside the home when the fire broke out, but a quick-thinking bystander spotted the flames, called 911, and a police officer rushed in to get everyone out safely.

Thick smoke could be seen billowing from blocks away as firefighters from multiple departments worked to contain the blaze.

The roof has completely collapsed, debris is scattered across the property, and crews are using a tractor to clear the wreckage.

At least two ladder trucks remain raised over the home as firefighters continue to knock down hot spots.

When crews first arrived, the roof and several cars in the front yard were already engulfed in flames.

The chief also confirmed that gas tanks inside the garage exploded during the fire, which explains the loud boom heard by nearby residents. There are no injuries to report, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

WFXT-TV FOX 25 Boston

The post Family escapes home after massive fire in Bridgewater appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

28-year-old Nick Spinale suffered significant internal and external injuries which required transport via UMass Memorial Life flight.

At this time, according to Chelmsford Firefighters Local 1839, Spinale remains in the intensive care unit in Worcester where he is being treated for these life-threatening injuries.

The extent of injuries will require multiple surgeries and physical rehabilitation, according to Chelmsford Firefighters Local 1839.

“The outpouring of support from fellow firefighters with the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, International Association of Firefighters and the residents of Chelmsford and throughout Massachusetts has been astounding,” they said in a statement.

WFXT-TV FOX 25 Boston

The post Follow-up: Community rallies behind Chelmsford firefighter who fell 40 feet as he faces long road to recovery appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

It happened at 9:05 a.m. at the Burn Building on the academy’s campus while workers were preparing for recruit training, officials said.

Massachusetts Firefighting Academy personnel, many of whom are EMTs and paramedics, immediately began providing medical aid and called 911.

“When crews arrived, they found that the patient in question had fallen from maybe three or four stories up. It was substantial injuries,” Stow Fire Chief Barry Evers said.

A medical helicopter was called, but medical helicopters were grounded at the time because of the weather conditions.

The Stow and Sudbury fire departments responded and transported the staff member to an area hospital, where he is being treated for life-threatening injuries.

“We met up with the ground transport units from Life Flight, and we transported the patient to UMass Memorial (Medical) Center Worcester with what we believe are, extremely life-threatening injuries,” Evers said.

Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan said the victim is a member of his department who works part-time at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.

WCVB-TV ABC 5 Boston

The post Massachusetts Fire Academy staff member suffers life-threatening injuries in fall appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Samantha Hamilton finished among the top competitors at this year’s World’s Strongest Firefighter competition in Columbus, Ohio, last month, placing 15th overall out of roughly 150 participants — and third among women.

Hamilton said she’s been part of the contest for four years, starting at about the same time she began working for the Concord Fire Department. She first got interested in the event after seeing it on social media.

“I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ and signed up,” Hamilton said, adding that she previously worked in physical therapy and competed in strength competitions before becoming a firefighter.

Challengers faced a range of events, including hefting fire hydrants, deadlifting tires, and, yes, pulling a fire engine. Hamilton hauled the massive truck 30 feet in 60 seconds.

Hamilton trains year-round, typically working out six days a week while balancing her shifts with the fire department. She said her routine focuses on the core movements common in strongman competitions, such as deadlifts, carries, pulls, and overhead presses.

The training, she said, mirrors the physical demands of her job. “Firefighting is a lot of awkward heavy things that I can carry around, so it makes it easy to train for it,” she said.

Despite placing among the top contestants, Hamilton is still working to improve. She said she competes in a higher weight class and is about 30 pounds lighter than others in her division.

The Concord Bridge

The post Concord Fire Department’s Hamilton shines in firefighter competition appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Crews responding to a report of a fishing boat that ran aground on the rocky shore amid significant seas around 7:45 p.m. found the 40-foot Legacy fishing boat hung up on rocks about 20 yards from shore with two crew members aboard, according to the Gloucester Fire Department.

Crew members were initially not in distress, but were unable to get the boat off the rocks. First responders requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, which responded with a 47-foot rescue boat from USCG Gloucester Station, but the USCG was unable to pull the fishing boat off the rocks.

Approximately 2- to 4-foot seas were battering the boat, pushing it against the rocks, and causing increasingly severe damage to the hull, so first responders decided to evacuate the two crew members from the boat for their safety.

Gloucester Fire Engine 1, Ladder 1 and Rescue 1 teamed up with police and the Harbormaster to assist the crew off the boat. Firefighters first had the two-person crew put on their survival suits, and then threw rescue lines to each crew member before assisting the crew members off the rocks and onto dry land.

WHDH-TV 7 Boston

The post Emergency crews rescue 2 crew members from fishing boat that ran aground in Gloucester appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Teresa asked for as many hunky firefighters as possible to help her celebrate and her birthday wish was granted during her party at the Palm Springs post-acute nursing home.

Firefighters from Chelmsford, Lawrence, Lowell, Dracut, and Westford all came out to help Teresa celebrate.

The departments walked Teresa down the aisle, handed her flowers, and sang Happy Birthday.

Teresa said she always loved firefighters for their kindness and bravery and shared she was so grateful that the firefighters stop by.

“Oh, this is the best, this is the best birthday ever,” Teresa said, tearing up.

The firefighters signed a poster, as you can see right here and shared a bite of cake with her. And Teresa is a lifelong New Englander. She worked at a local mill and as a nurse’s aide until she retired.

WFXT-TV FOX 25 Boston

The post 99-year-old’s birthday wish for ‘hunky firemen’ comes true in Chelmsford appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Stoneham DPW workers contacted firefighters and told them that some unidentified materials had begun leaking and emitting smoke. Stoneham firefighters responded immediately, but were unable to identify the material.

Firefighters secured the area and requested assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) District 2 Hazardous Materials Response Team.

Hazmat technicians eventually determined that the smoking material was a strong acid. The hazmat workers secured the material and Clean Harbors came to help dispose of the acid.

Two DPW workers were evaluated at the scene and one was eventually taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Stoneham firefighters remained on the scene for several hours. During this time, the Fire Department said crews responded to a crash involving a pedestrian and an oven fire.

WFXT-TV FOX 25 Boston

The post Firefighters respond to hazmat incident at Stoneham Department of Public Works appeared first on Daily Dispatch.