Call
the Fire Department @ 781-767-2233, and setup an appointment. Ma. State Law
requires a detector at the base of all Stairways, (but not in the stairwell), and
outside all bedrooms in single-family homes built before 1977. Detectors should
be ceiling mounted, and 1’ away from any wall. Homes built from 1977 on, and
Multi-family homes come under different regulations. The Lieutenant on Duty can
explain the guidelines & locations when you call. Smoke Detector
Inspections are done between the hours of 9am and 10am Monday – Saturday.
How do I
schedule a Senior Citizen Safety Inspection?
You may contact the
Holbrook Council on Aging @ 781-767-4617. They will give you an application,
and help you set up an appointment to have a Holbrook Firefighter come to your
home and install new Smoke Detectors (provided free of charge through the local
Insurance Agents), or change batteries in your existing detectors. They will also
perform a Fire Safety Inspection of your home.
How do I get a copy of a fire incident report?
Call the Fire Department at
781-767-2233. It can usually be available for pickup, faxed to you, or
sent via regular mail. There is a $5.00 per page fee.
When can I burn brush?
The burning of brush is permitted
from January 15th thru May 1st each year. You must come to the Brookville
Fire Station at 24 South Street and apply for a permit. There is a no fee
and you will receive a full set of regulations.
Is counseling available
if my child is setting fires?
Yes, Through the Juvenile Fire Setter Program. Call the Fire Department at
781-767-2233.
Do you get cats out of trees or off of roofs?
It depends on the situation. First you should consult the Animal Control
Officer. She can be reached through the Police Department 781-767-1212. If
she thinks we can assist in a safe manner she will contact us. . We strongly
suggest trying opening a can of tuna (this usually works), leaving the
immediate area and waiting for the cat to get down on its own.
Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?
At either Fire Station, 24 South Street, or Holbrook Center 50 N. Franklin
St. 7 Days a week, Sunday - Saturday
Where can I find out
about CPR classes?
CPR is taught by the American
Heart Association or the American Red Cross. The Holbrook Fire
Department also occasionally teaches a course if enough people signup.
How can I schedule a fire truck or a firefighter at my
function?
Call the Fire Department at 781-767-2233
Who do I call about a fire extinguisher that doesn't work?
Look in the Yellow Pages under fire extinguisher or fire extinguishing systems.
When an emergency vehicle
is approaching that is displaying emergency lights and sirens, what should I
do?
By Massachusetts’s law, you are
required to pull to the right and stop. This allows emergency apparatus
adequate and clear lanes to safely and quickly continue its response.
Why do so many fire
apparatus respond to simple incidents?
Fire Department units are dispatched
according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. The Holbrook Fire
Department thinks overcautiously when they respond to citizens in need of help.
In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could
happen. Discovering that we need more units once we arrive is often too late.
We have learned from experience that it’s better to have too much help than not
enough. The First arriving unit will then determine the manpower needed at the
scene and cancel other responding units. In some cases the additional units
will remain in service @ the scene, and can assist as needed, or respond
directly to the next emergency.
A structure fire requires a number of people to do all the assigned
tasks. Firefighting teams are assigned certain responsibilities such as
fire extinguishments, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, safety,
accountability and rapid intervention teams when firefighters become trapped or
injured.
Medical Emergencies also require a lot of help.
Manpower is needed for patient care, and to safely remove the patient from the
home. In some cases the additional manpower is needed to assist distraught
family members.
How come I see fire trucks with full lights and sirens go
through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn
off their lights and slow down?
As explained in the previous answer, sometimes several units are dispatched to
the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, assessed the
situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control or
that a single unit could handle the emergency. All other responding units were
cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call.
Most
likely, when you see an emergency vehicle with red lights and siren through an
intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have
been cancelled from the call they were responding to.
Why do I see firefighters cutting holes in the roof of a
building on fire?
This is called "venting the roof." There are two basic reasons for
this practice. Dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building.
Unlike the movie versions of fires, it is impossible for firefighters to see in
such an environment. When a hole is made in the roof because the building is
"vented," the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It
makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also
reduces the possibilities of backdraft (explosion) and flashover. Another
reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of
the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke
rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead
of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from
spreading through the attic.
Why do I see firefighters
breaking windows in a building on fire?
As mentioned in the statement above, dangerous superheated gases need to be
ventilated to allow firefighters to safely and quickly rescue trapped occupants
and extinguish the fire. By venting the window of a room that is on
fire, it actually helps to contain the fire within that room of origin.
Otherwise heated gases spread throughout the inside of the house. Breaking
the window really prevents a great deal more damage than it appears to cause.
Why do fire trucks
respond to motor vehicle accidents?
Two reasons. First, The Holbrook Fire Department is responsible for providing Emergency
Medical Care for the Town of Holbrook. The responding firefighters are trained
Emergency Medical Technicians, and Paramedics. These responding Firefighters
will deal with patient care and/or in extricating (removing) trapped occupants
of the vehicle.
Second, automobile accidents present other hazards such
as potential fire, ruptured fuel tanks, and/or the presence of hazardous
materials.
Why do fire trucks
respond to emergency medical calls?
As mentioned in the above
statement, the Holbrook Fire Department is responsible for providing Emergency
Medical Care for the Town of Holbrook. The responding firefighters are trained
Emergency Medical Technicians, and Paramedics. They will start treatment of the
patient, triage, defibrillate, or administer drugs as needed. They will
continue with patient care enroute to the Hospital when the ambulance arrives
on scene.
Who do I call if I have problems with bees?
The Holbrook Fire Department does not remove bees unless there is
imminent danger to a person. To have bees removed, look in the Yellow
Pages under Beekeepers. You may also request information from the Norfolk
County Agricultural School 508-668-0268.