Fire Suppression

 It has been another busy and productive year for your department. Thanks to the Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and the Town Meeting members and the taxpayers of Walpole for their continued support which allows us to maintain our level of services.

New Hires

In December the department welcomed Firefighter / Paramedic Christopher Shea to the department.  Christopher is a lifelong Walpole resident and is a graduate of Walpole High School and Northeastern University.  Christopher has been assigned to Group 4.   

Station 2

The operation of Station 2 continues to run very smoothly with improved response times in East Walpole which accounts for 35% of our responses.  This past year they responded on 957 emergency calls.  Station 2 is open 24/7 and is staffed with a Lieutenant and 2 firefighters who respond on Engine 4. 

  Calls by Day of the Week

 The demands for service are fairly evenly spaced over each day of the week. These numbers of calls from day to day continue to be fairly even across the board, even as our call volume continues to increase.   Keeping the minimum staffing on each day is important for service delivery as we are able to respond to most emergencies within the community with the on-duty staff.   

Calls by Type of Response

For the second straight year the on duty force handled 94% of all emergency calls received, and 100% of all non emergency calls.  The full recall of off duty personnel and call firefighters has been reduced to 1% of our responses, resulting in a reduction in overtime.  Savings, such as this, are made possible by the increased staffing levels from a six man minimum to an eight man minimum, which is more efficient, safer, and results in an increase level of service.