IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1.
The Marblehead Fire Department is staffed full time, twenty-four hours a day, by four groups. The Fire Department is made up of one Chief, four Captains, five Lieutenants and thirty-two firefighters. All personnel are certified EMTs and have graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy. Engine 1 and Engine 2 are both class five ambulances and carry defibrillation capabilities, Narcan, and EpiPens.
The Marblehead Fire Department has mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities to provide and receive assistance in large scale emergencies. The department is committed to maintaining a high level of professionalism, which is achieved through in-service training, continued education and providing quality service to the town. We hope that this site helps you to understand what we do and the services we provide. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (781) 631-0142 with any questions.
There are two fire stations, including the Central Station and the Franklin Street Station.
Department Equipment
- 1 Public Safety Boat “Coast Guard Defender” for Year-round Emergencies
- 1 Hydraulic Rescue Device “Jaws of Life” for Automobile Accidents
- 1 Quint & 1 Reserve Quint & 2 Engines
- All Trucks are Class Five Ambulances
- All Trucks Carry Cardiac Defibrillator, Epipens & Narcan
Programs
A Knox Box is a device secured to your home or business that houses keys for Fire Department access only.
Please note that in general, the Marblehead Fire Department will be requiring Knox Box models from the 3200, 4100, 4400 or Cabinet series. This will depend on the occupancy, number of keys, or other material required in the Knox Box. In some cases, we may allow the smaller residential series if there will be no more than 1-2 keys. All Knox Boxes will be required to have hinged doors, as we will not allow lift off covers.
To order a Knox Box: https://www.knoxbox.com
Any questions or for further information, please contact the Marblehead Fire Department at (781) 639-3428.
The Marblehead Fire Department, in conjunction with the Harbor Light Inn, the Marblehead Inn, and Homewood Suites Hilton (Peabody) offers a program for residents displaced by fire, flooding and other incidents. This program provides complimentary first-night lodging for any Marblehead resident whose home is temporarily uninhabitable. Since pets are not allowed at either of the participating inns, the Fire Department will also make arrangements to have pets boarded at the Marblehead Animal Shelter.
Everybody likes the sight, sound and warmth of a crackling fire in the fireplace but as with every open flame care must be taken to prevent a tragedy.
According to the United States Fire Administration, more than one third of Americans use fireplaces, woodstoves or other fuel fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes.
Here are a few simple rules to enjoy your fireplace safely:
- Chimneys should be professionally inspected and cleaned each year by a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) Certified Chimney Sweep. To locate a certified Chimney Sweep, go to the Chimney Safety Institute of America website.
- Use a spark arrestor, which is a metal screen or cover on top of the chimney that prevents sparks from escaping and keeps birds and animals from nesting in it.
- Always open the damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. This will help stop the dangerous buildup of Carbon Monoxide.
- Never use lighter fluid, gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
- Clear all decorations from the mantel and sides of fireplace before lighting a fire. This is especially important during the holiday season! Keep a three foot clearance to combustibles.
- Do not treat an artificial log the same as a real log. They are usually made from sawdust and wax. Use only one at a time and make sure to read the instructions and follow them carefully. Never poke an artificial log as this will cause a flare up.
- Make sure fires are out before leaving the house or going to bed.
- Build a safe fire, set logs in the rear of the fireplace and don’t overload so that logs could tumble out.
- Always cool ashes before taking them out of the fireplace. Place the ashes in a metal container and let them sit for several days or wet them thoroughly before disposal.
- Review Fire Safety with your family and remind children to keep a safe distance from the fire. Practice your home fire drill and make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries!
Help A Hydrant Help You
In the event of a fire emergency in winter, could firefighters find the hydrant in front of your home or business
Water is the principal agent used by the fire department to control and extinguish fires. Our fire engines in Marblehead carry 500 gallons of water. Our pre-connected “attack lines”, used for firefighting, are capable of flowing 175 gallons of water per minute. That gives firefighters less than three minutes of water before the tank is empty! That is why it is vitally important to have quick access to a hydrant for an uninterrupted supply of water. If firefighters have to search for and shovel out the hydrant this delay could result in raising the risk of injury and possibly result in additional property damage. So please make sure the hydrant near your home or business is shoveled out.
Please also consider helping a neighbor who is elderly or has a medical condition by shoveling the hydrant near their home. While out on shoveling details firefighters have come across many hydrants already shoveled out. We would like to thank all residents and business owners that clear snow from their hydrants on a regular basis. It really can make a difference. The life or property you save may be your own!