Survey says: "Nearly all of the fire departments in Massachusetts do not meet national staffing standards"

via Franklin Firefighters Local 2637

"Nearly all of the fire departments in Massachusetts do not meet national staffing standards, according to a survey conducted by the state fire union in the wake of the deadly fire at a Fall River assisted living facility. 

.... 

Per standards set by the National Fire Protection Association, fire engines or ladder trucks should each be staffed with a minimum four on-duty members. In Massachusetts, the average number of firefighters on an engine is less than 2.5 firefighters and the average responding on a ladder is less than two, according to the survey.”

In Franklin, we want to be transparent about our current staffing levels and how they compare to national guidelines set by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).

Our minimum on-duty staffing is 11 personnel per shift, broken down as follows:

 • Engine 1: 1 Lieutenant, 2 Firefighters

 • Engine 2: 1 Captain, 2 Firefighters

 • Ambulance 1: 2 Firefighter/Paramedics

 • Ambulance 2: 2 Firefighter/Paramedics

 • Battalion 1: 1 Battalion Chief

Tower 1 is cross-staffed with Ambulance 1, meaning the same 2  Firefighter/Paramedics will respond in Tower 1 only if they are available and in the station. As call volume continues to rise year after year, Tower 1 is increasingly out of service when needed most.

According to NFPA 1710, fire departments in low call-volume areas should staff a minimum of 4 firefighters per apparatus, with that number increasing to 5 or 6 in high-volume or densely populated communities.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed to providing excellent care and emergency service to the Franklin community. We are proud of the work we do, and proud to serve.

#PFFM #IAFF

Read the Boston.com article on the MA survey of fire dept staffing levels vs the recommendation -> 

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/07/27/nearly-all-mass-fire-departments-fall-below-reach-national-staffing-standard-union-says/

Shared from ->  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CFmTamFBB/

Fire Dept stretched with multiple runs

Thursday, Franklin Firefighters Local 2637 posted:

"This morning, L2637 members have responded to multiple simultaneous calls for service. All off-duty members have been called in to assist with calls. 

Fire Dept stretched with multiple runs

A total of 10 emergencies from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM, including an extended extrication of a male party with an open leg fracture on top of a roof. As all Franklin engines were tied up on calls, a Norfolk engine and Wrentham engine had to respond in their place to the extended operation.

During this operation, emergencies continued to come in. All Franklin ambulances were committed to calls, resulting in two (2) Bellingham ambulances, a Medway ambulance, and a Millis ambulance all having to respond to calls in Franklin.

#franklin #fire #pffm #iaff #staffingmatters"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DBbzPq_RLZV/

A timely item for consideration as the FY 2026 budget development is in process. The 3rd ambulance requires additional staffing and has been talked of for a number of years. The past couple of years steps have been made to increase coverage. Let's find out what it will really take to provide appropriate staffing for police, fire, and "first responders" (like DPW) and make sure to include that in the long range plan. The long range plan should do more than get us by one budget year.

Temporary Closing of the Common Grounds Café (Senior Center)

Temporary Closing of the Common Grounds Café 

(Senior Center)

It is with sincere regrets that we have to inform the members of the community that due to unforeseen staffing shortages, we will have to close the Common Grounds Café for the remainder of the week, November 30 - December 3rd.

This week, seniors will still be able to enter the Café and the senior center staff will work to provide free coffee and light refreshments. Unfortunately, there will no longer be any hot breakfast or prepared food at the café until next week. Citizens are welcome and encouraged to bring their own food into the café and continue to socialize.

Please see the attached notice for full details.

Shared from Town of Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/2021-11-29_senior_center_common_grounds_closing_notice.pdf

Temporary Closing of the Common Grounds Café (Senior Center)