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2008 Chief's Report
Annual Report of the Lenox Fire Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Lenox: It is with great pride in this Department that I submit my 2008 Annual Report. The mission of the Lenox Fire Department is to protect the lives and property of those within the town by providing public safety education, performing fire safety inspections and providing emergency response services. Our Department was deeply saddened by the loss of retired Firefighter, Alfred J. Gardino during 2008. Al was a member of the New Lenox Fire Company serving as a Volunteer Firefighter for many years.
Requests for service- The Lenox Fire Department responded to 1487 requests for assistance during 2008. 252 fire alarms, 54 fires, 136 service calls, 14 rescues, 58 hazardous conditions, 957 medical calls and 17 good intent calls (odor of smoke, steam believed to be smoke, etc.).
Stations and Equipment- The Lenox Fire Department currently operates out of three fire stations that are strategically located throughout the town. This is done to reduce response times and allows us to better serve the citizens of the Town of Lenox. Our average response time (time of dispatch to time on scene of the incident) during 2007 was 3 minutes 59 seconds. The Central Fire Station, built in 1910, is located at 14 Walker Street and serves as the department’s headquarters and administrative offices. Equipment housed in the Central Station is Engine 1, a 1993 Pierce Arrow Rescue Pumper and Truck 5, a 1998 Darley – Quint (75 foot aerial ladder truck & pumper). The Lenox Dale Fire Station, built in 1936, is located at 26 Elm Street and houses Engine 6 a 1985 Pierce Arrow pumper. ISU-1 a 2007 Incident Support Trailer The New Lenox Fire Station, built in 1962, is located at 399 Pittsfield Road and houses Engine 3 a 1989 Pierce Arrow pumper, Truck 7 a 1985 Chevy Brush Truck, Marine 1 a 19 foot, 5 hp rescue boat and Brush 1 a 2003 Honda, All Terrain Vehicle. During 2008 the town signed a contract to purchase a new fire engine for Lenox Dale with Seagraves Fire Apparatus. This Engine will replace the 1985 Perce Arrow located in Lenox Dale and will be delivered and placed in service in early 2009. Our Department was able to acquire and install Mobile Data Terminals (laptop computers) in all of our Fire Engines & Ladder Truck though Grants. These Mobile Data Terminals have greatly enhanced our ability to preplan and identify the location of hydrants, building utilities and other location hazards throughout town.
Training- Throughout the year the Fire Department conducted weekly training to stay proficient in all aspects of fire suppression, rescue techniques and property preservation as well as State mandated training in Hazardous Materials, First Aid, Anti-Terrorism, Fire Investigation and Incident Management. This training was conducted both in house and with the Massachusetts Fire Academy.
Prevention and Education- We were also busy in many other facets of Public Safety including our Student Awareness of Fire Education program, teaching fire safety to our elementary school students and many of our senior citizens who are the most at risk of fire. During the Lenox Apple Squeeze Festival both the Lenox Police and Fire Departments sponsored the Massachusetts Freemasons; Lee Chapter’s Child Identification Program called CHIPS. We continued to support the Lenox TRIAD program. TRIAD is a three sided organization that promotes senior citizens safety. The Lenox TRIAD Committee has representatives from Public Safety organizations, Senior Citizens and Community Groups. The Lenox TRIAD updates our seniors about new laws, frauds, scams, emergency planning, elderly assistance programs and any other needs that our senior population may have. The Fire Department conducted 672 Fire Prevention inspections on oil burners, LP gas storage tanks, tank removals, fire alarms, blasting and fireworks requests, as well as required building inspections and issued 837 permits. The Fire Department would like to thank the Board of Selectmen and the citizens of the town for their continued support of our operations. As part of this support we are always looking for new members to fill our ranks. Please contact us if you are willing to volunteer and become a firefighter. In closing, I want to sincerely thank all the officers and members of the Lenox Fire Department for their time and dedication. Also, without the support of the families of these brave men and women who respond at moments notice to assist others in need, the ranks of our volunteers would be greatly diminished.
Respectfully Submitted
Daniel W. Clifford, Chief
Lenox Fire Department
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