Chief reports response volumes, staffing changes and inspections; condemned house noted

Chief Gerry Smith presented the Officer’s Report for December 2025, reporting 50 fire responses (439 year-to-date) and 34 ambulance responses (325 year-to-date). He said average personnel per call was 6.47 and summarized personnel participation: among 18 firefighters, six responded to 10% or less of calls, seven responded to 11%–29% of calls and five responded to 30% or more; among five officers, two responded to less than 49% of calls and three responded to more than 50%.

Chief Smith reported department activity including a pre-delivery inspection of the new Engine 1 (delivery set for Jan. 9, 2026), six new hires onboarded with orientation planned in January, four additional hires in process, and four town residents enrolled in EMT training. He said he and Rich Tiberi met with the Warrant Committee to discuss FY27 operating budgets. He also reported that “the Commonwealth’s fire incident reporting program has been replaced with NERIS, beginning January 1.”

Inspector Ed Kornak provided inspection and permitting totals for December: 10 Smoke/CO inspections (99 YTD), two above-ground propane tank installations (29 YTD), zero underground propane tank installs (21 YTD), one Hot Works permit (9 YTD), five oil tanks removed (47 YTD) and five oil tanks installed (28 YTD). He also reported three oil burners installed, one demolition permit (14 YTD) and one annual building inspection. Kornak said there were no December items for Solar/ESS (10 YTD), BDA systems (5 YTD) or new fire alarm panels (1 YTD). He reported that a Walpole St. home has been condemned by the Board of Health and that a sign has been posted to protect firefighters.

The board recorded these reports as part of its regular business and adjourned at 4:50 p.m.