MASHPEE ROAD RACE
Mashpee Firefighters 2nd 5K Road Race is scheduled for October 25, 2008. MORE

HARWICH FIRE
Lt Danny Spencer is retiring from HFD as on 0800 Hrs on June 30, 2008. Congrats to him after many years of service to Harwich Fire Department.  June 30, 2008

BARNSTABLE FIRE
Barnstable Fire Department Captain Glenn Coffin recently retired after many years with the Dennis and Barnstable Fire Departments. Deputy Chief Chris Olsen has left BFD to become the Fire Chief in Cotuit as on July 1, 2008. Firefighter John Garran retired after many years with BFD and is moving to California. Lt Richard Pfautz has been promoted to acting Deputy, FF Stephen Iacovelli  and FF Don O'Neal have been promoted to acting Lieutenants positions.  June 30, 2008

HYANNIS FIRE
FF Robert Hennesy has been promoted to Lieutenant. June 30, 2008  

DENNIS FIRE
Dennis Fire Department will be promoting Deputy Chief John Donlan to the position of Assistant Chief. Long time Captain Robert Tucker will be promoted to Deputy Chief. Both effective July 2008. June 19, 2008

COTUIT CHIEF
Cotuit Fire Chief Paul Frazier will be retiring this summer. Cotuit recently interviewed a number of candidates for fire chief. After all was said and done (it's complicated) Cotuit has reportedly offered the job to Barnstable Deputy Chief Chris Olsen who will begin July 1, 2008. Stay tuned.  June 19, 2008 / Updated June 30, 2008

ORLEANS CHIEF
After many months of searching, Orleans has a new fire chief. Deputy Chief William Quinn has been appointed as the official chief after serving as Acting Chief for sometime since the retirement of chief Edwards. Congratulations to Chief Quinn. June 19, 2008

HYANNIS RADIO
The Hyannis conventional 800 mhz radio frequency has apparently changed from 868.2125 to 853.2125 as part of teh rebanding process. June 2, 2008

TRURO FIRE
Deputy Chief Brian Davis has been appointed as Acting Fire Chief with the retirement of Chief E. Thomas Prada.
May 2008

MIDDLEBOROUGH FIRE
The Chief and Deputy at Middleborough FD retired in 2007. Serving as the acting chief and administrator has been the Police Chief Gary Russell.

COMM FIRE
Retired call Deputy Fire Chief John B. Farrington, age 82 passed away on March 29, 2008. Deputy Farrington was a member of the fire department for 32 years and was the father of Fire Chief John M. Farrington. A memorial service is planned for Saturday April 5, 2008 at St Peters Church in Osterville at 1300 hours.

HYANNIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
Retired Hyannis FD Captain Donald A Frazel, age 71 passed away on March 17, 2008. Info

OTIS CHANGES
The staffing at Otis has been reduced. The present shift strength is 13 (previously 16). The newest crash truck (404) was recently decommissioned and shipped out to another assignment. Tank is that the other two crash apparatus may also be up for reassignment, possibly being replaced by older P4 style ARFF vehicles. March 2008

ORLEANS FD
Captain Tony Pike has been serving as Acting Deputy Chief. Mar 2008 

CAPE COD HEROES
The American Red Cross recognized some 50 heroes at the 6th Annual Heroes Breakfast at the Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis on Friday March 7, 2008. Among this year's recipients were members of the Dennis Fire and Police departments Child Safety Seat Team: Ben Anderson, Jeff Larkowski, Dan O'Connell, James Sullivan, and Damon Reinold. Hyannis firefighter/paramedic John Talin was recognized for being part of the team that saved a woman from cardiac arrest. Sheriff's Department dispatcher and Brewster call Captain, Sgt. Ross Klun, along with Deputy Wallace Bicknell were recognized for assisting a patient in a serious motor vehicle crash they came across on the way home after getting off duty at midnight. Sheriff's Department dispatchers William Watson and Lori Enos were each recognized for providing 911 bystander CPR instructions that resulted in saves of two people who had collapsed. Congratulations to all of these and the others who were recognized. See list

DENNIS FIRE AT BRUINS GAME
The Dennis FD Honor Guard was part of the ceremonies at a recent Bruins game at the Garden. Dianne Adelizzi, wife of Dennis Firefighter/Paramedic John Adelizzi sang the National Anthem. The Story

TRURO FIRE CHIEF
John Garran, long time Deputy Chief, has assumed the role of Acting Fire Chief with the retirement of long time Fire Chief Thomas Prada. March 2008

DUXBURY SAFETY & SURVIVAL CONFERENCE 2008:
Scheduled for August 16, 2008. More

PROVINCETOWN WHALER'S WHARF 10TH ANNIVERSARY
The 10th year anniversary of the February 10, 1998 fire will be recognized by locals on Feb 9, 2008 from 1700 hrs to 2000 hrs at the Wave Bar, in the Crown & Anchor, 247 Commercial Street, PTown. There will be food and a cash bar. A suggested donation of $5.00 at the door with proceeds going to the Provincetown Firemen's Asso. A film "There that Night" about the fire will be shown as will other images and stories. Get together with firefighters from across the Cape who responded and helped save Provincetown. Feb 6, 2008

LOWER CAPE AMBULANCE 01/23/08
Lower Cape is looking for (1) EMT and (1) Paramedic. Contact via Provincetown FD or Lower Cape Ambulance.

OTIS FIRE 01/13/08
Otis announces that Jackson Emery has been promoted from Captain to Assistant Chief. Brett Childs has been promoted to Lieutenant. Asst Chief Training William Maciorowski has left Otis for another position.  

WEST DENNIS –Turlough E. Meehan, infant son of Dennis firefighter Phelim Meehan and his wife Amanda-Clare, passed away on December 18 after his valiant battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
   His wake will be held on December 27 at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, from 3 to 6 p.m.
   The funeral will be held on Friday, December 28, at St. Pius X Church, 94 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, at 10 a.m.
    Wake, Thursday December 27 The Dennis Fire Department invites fire and police personnel to join them at the wake on Thursday to pay their respects to Turlough with a walk-through at approximately 6:15 p.m. All personnel are requested to wear Class A dress uniforms and meet for assembly at the Station Avenue Elementary School across the street from the funeral home at 5 p.m. Funeral, Friday December 28 On Friday, uniformed personnel are requested to assemble at the church’s Youth Center (blue building next to the church) at 9 a.m. to receive instructions from Deputy Donlan. Please park in the larger lot east of the church. This will allow the funeral procession to park in the smaller lot next to the church.
   Following the funeral, guests are invited to Chapin’s Restaurant, 85 Taunton Avenue, Dennis. The family requests that uniformed personnel change into civilian attire before arriving at Chapin’s.
   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund in memory of Turlough Meehan. Donations may be made by mail or phone to: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 10 Brookline Place, 6th Floor Brookline, MA 02445-9924 800-52-JIMMY (54669).

- Barnstable County Sheriff's Department dispatchers began dispatching for Otis Fire in December 2007. The BSO county dispatch center is located in the Otis Fire Station. BSO now dispatches for 7 fire departments including Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Mashpee, Orleans, Otis, and West Barnstable.

- Plymouth Fire Department new fire chief Edward Bradley, Dec 1, 2007.

- West Barnstable Fire Department Senior Private Robert Crocker retires after 32 years of service to WBFD.
Nov 25, 2007.

- Orleans FD is hiring a Firefighter/Paramedic. Contact Orleans FD for more info. Oct 19, 2007

- Sandwich Fire Department has announced some promotions. Lt. Scott Ames has been promoted to Captain. FF Sean Butler and EMS officer Jason Viveiros have been promoted to rank of Lieutenant. Congratulations guys!
Oct 19, 2007

- Dennis Firefighters Local 2583 is asking for help. The 2 month old son of Firefighter Phelium and Amanda Meehan, Turlough has been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. Children's Hospital will be conducting a bone marrow donor screening at the Dennis Fire Headquarters on November 10, 2007 from 12-4 PM. Anyone who would be willing to undergo the simple mouth swab scan is asked to help out in hopes of saving the young child's life. Contact Dennis FD Local 2583 @ 508-398-2242. Oct 19, 2007  Phone number corrected 10/22

- Cotuit Fire Chief Paul Frazier has announced his intentions to retire in July 2008.  Chief Frazier has been the Chief in Cotuit for 23 years, having also served as a fulltime firefighter/Lt/paramedic in Mashpee and a call firefighter in Cotuit prior to that.  Also from Cotuit, long time call member Jeff Gifford has announced his retirement from the department after 31 years of service.  Oct 19, 2007

- Sandwich Fire Department also recently lost a well known member of the department. Richard E. Canning Sr. had been a member of the Sandwich Volunteer Fire Department for many years, serving as a Lieutenant and Fire Commissioner.  Mr. Canning owned a gas station and the garage at that station (a building moved from Otis) served as the first East Sandwich Fire Station for a period of years.  Mr. Canning passed away Oct 3, 2007.

- Sandwich Fire Department has appointed their first full time Deputy Chief.  Captain Chief Thomas Corriveau was promoted to Deputy Chief effective Oct 1, 2007.  Congrats to Deputy Corriveau who has served the Sandwich FD for many years as a firefighter. paramedic, Lieutenant, and Captain.  Oct 2007 

- West Barnstable has appointed a new Assistant Chief Ron Goodale. Oct 2007

- The Cotuit Fire Department is offering a limited number of Holiday Ornaments featuring the 1916 Model T which was the first motorized fire engine on Cape Cod.  More   Oct 2007

- Plymouth County Pipes and Drums is organizing and looking for anyone who may be interested in joining.
  For more, contact Rob Reardon @ Duxbury Fire.  Flyer.   Oct 2007

- Sandwich Fire Department regrets to announce the death of Lt. David J. Boles on Sept 8, 2007.  Wake at Corpus Christi Church in Sandwich on Sept 13. Funeral at Corpus Christi Church on September 14th @ 1030 hrs with burial to follow and Sandwich Town Cemetery on Route 130.

- Hyannis Fire Department has promoted 4 new Lieutenants. Sept 2007
   

- Plymouth Fire Chief James Pierson is planning to retire this fall after 33 years with the Plymouth FD.  Story.
Aug 19, 2007

- Harwich Fire Department recently promoted Joseph Mayo to Captain and Michael Mason to Lieutenant. These promotions fill vacancies created by the recent promotion of Capt Norman Clark to Deputy. Congrats to all. Aug 19, 2007.

- Orleans Fire Department Chief Steve Edwards has officially retired.  Acting Deputy William Quinn is now head of the department effective beginning of Aug.  Aug 19, 2007

- Oak Bluffs Fire Department has a new Chief.  Peter Forend was appointed chief taking over from the retiring long time chief Dennis Alley as of July 1, 2007.  August 6, 2007.

- Barnstable County Communication Center moved into Otis facility on 07-11-07.

- Dennis Fire Department promoted Robert 'Vito' Marselgia to Captain. Captain Marselgia has been a member of DFD since 1984 and had been a Lieutenant prior to promotion.  He replaces retired Captain David Rodriguez. Congratulations to the new Captain.

- Falmouth Fire Department reports they had 5,665 runs is their fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

- Chatham Fire Department has created 4 Lieutenant positions.  The following have been promoted to these positions as of July 1, 2007. Group 1 Lt Nelson Wirtz Car 381A. Group 2 Lt David Ready Car 382A.  Group 3 Lt Katrina Hansen Car 383A.  Group 4 Lt Violet Fellman Car 384A.  This makes a Capt & Lieutenant on each group.  Congratulations to all.

Dukes County Firefighters Muster July 1, 2007 Results:
1. Overall winner..............Edgartown Fire Department
2. 2nd Place.....................Chilmark Fire Department
3. 3rd Place.....................West Tisbury Fire Department
John R. Christopher Sportsmanship Award.... Chilmark Fire Department

- The new Harwich Fire Chief William L. Flynn Jr. was sworn in on June 29, 2007.  Chief Flynn takes over from Chief Remillard.  Bill has been a member of the Harwich FD for many years serving in all capacities from firefighter, paramedic, to Captain and Deputy.  Congratulations to Chief Flynn and the Harwich FD.
- Harwich FD has also announced the promotion of Capt. Norman Clarke to Deputy Chief.  Deputy Clarke has also been a member of Harwich FD for many years and takes the No.2 spot vacated by the promotion of Deputy Flynn to Chief.  July 1, 2007

- Harwich Fire Chief Wilfred Remillard has officially retired after many years of service to the Harwich Fire Department. Congratulations to Chief Remillard and best wishes in his retirement. July 1, 2007

- Orleans Fire Department recently promoted Capt William Quinn to Acting Deputy Chief with the recent retirement of Deputy Richard Harris. June 2007

- Dennis Fire Department Captain Dave Rodriguez is retiring on June 9, 2007 after 35 years of service with the DFD.  Congrats to you Dave!  June 7, 2007

- Harwich Fire Department has announced that Norman Clark will become Deputy Chief in July. Captain Clark will replace deputy William Flynn who will become Chief with the retirement of  Chief Wilfred Remillard.  May 25, 2007

- Yarmouth Fire Department has promoted Robert Kelleher to the rank of Deputy Chief.  Kelleher, a long time member of the YFD had been a shift captain and most recently Captain / Fire Inspector.  Deputy Kelleher replaces Deputy Peter Raiskio who passed away on 2/14/07.
May 20, 2007

- Otis Fire Department has a new fire chief.  Former Asst Chief Walter Stecchi has been promoted to Chief, replacing retired chief Tim Stephenson.  Chief Stecchi is a long time member of Otis FD. May 20, 2007

- West Barnstable FD regrets to announce the death of Lt. Christopher Hussey. Chris was a 15 year vet of WBFD and a long time Emergency Room Tech at CCH.  He was killed in a motorcycle crash in Westport, MA on May 10.  Funeral on May 21 at 1100 hrs at the Unitarian Church on Rt 6A in Barnstable village. More at www.WestBarnstableFire.com   5/14/07

- Orleans Fire Department - Both the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief have announced their upcoming retirements.  Deputy Chief Rick Harris will be retiring within about a month or so (May 2007?).  Fire Chief Steve Edwards will be retiring this summer (2007).  Both have been long time members of the Orleans FD and have served for a number of years in leadership positions. 03/29/07

- Yarmouth Fire Department - Acting positions announced following the death of Deputy Chief Peter Raiskio.  Capt Allen Bent has been promoted to Acting Deputy Chief. Acting Capt and Acting Lieut positions also made.  03/29/07

- Otis Fire Department - Chief Timothy Stephenson has announced his imminent retirement. Chief Stephenson has served Otis and Barnstable County for many years.  Best wishes to him in his future endeavors. No announcement on his replacement.  Mar 15, 2007.

- Harwich Fire Dept has announced that Deputy Chief William Flynn will assume the rank of
Fire Chief upon the retirement of Chief Wilfred Remillard on July 1, 2007.  Both are long time members of the Harwich Fire Department.  Chief Remillard was deputy chief for many years,
attaining rank of Chief after the retirement of Chief Robert Peterson Dec 2003.  3/4/07

- Yarmouth Fire Dept Deputy Chief Peter Raiskio passed away from cancer on Feb 14, 2007.  Deputy Raiskio was a member of YFD for many years and had served as a paramedic and as the departments' first fire prevention officer.  3/4/07

- COMM FD Captain Barry Mossey recently retired.  Captain Sean Greene is the new COMM Captain replacing Capt Mossey.  Congrats and best wishes to both. Jan 2007

- Plymouth FD recently did some restructuring. The department has created the position of Battalion Chief for the 4 shift commanders (previously done by Captain rank).  Additionally, the head of fire prevention and training officer are now also Battalion Chiefs. Shift Batt Chiefs are Group 1 BC Stanley Eldridge, Group 2 BC Daniel Braley, Group 3 BC Kevin Murphy, and Group 4 BC Donald E Brown. Jan 2007

- From Nantucket FD, Edward Maxwell has been appointed Deputy Chief. Jan 2007.

- Some sad news to report 12/7/06.
  1. Robert "Bob" Black Jr, age 71, Ret. Capt & Paramedic, West Barnstable Fire Dept passed away on Dec 4, 2006. Capt Black was a long time member of the WBFD, serving as the first Captain of their rescue squad when formed in 1973 until his retirement in 1982.  He was in the first paramedic class held on the Cape and was one of the first paramedics in Massachusetts. His son Robert Black III is presently a Captain / Paramedic on Sandwich FD and his grandson Rory is presently on WBFD.  A memorial service will be held at John Lawrence Funeral Home is Marstons Mills on Sat Dec 9, from 2-4. Donations to WBFD Ambulance fund or firefighters Relief Association.
  2. Cleveland Bernard "Bernie" Jones, age 80, Ret Chief, Sandwich FD (1960-1965) passed away on Dec 2, 2006.  Chief Jones was a military veteran as well. His son on-law Keith Lehmann recently retired from Sandwich FD.  Visiting hours Friday Dec 8, 4-8 PM at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, Rt 6A Sandwich. Funeral Sat Dec 9, 1:30 PM at  Corpus Christi Parash, 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, East Sandwich. Donations Sandwich Prof Firefighters or Amer Cancer Society.
  3. William D. "Sparky" Donovan, age 96, long time member of Sandwich Fire Dept and rescue squad passed away on Nov 19, 2006. Mr Donavon had a very interesting career working for the Army Corps of Engineers overseeing the marine traffic through the Cape Cod Canal for 52 years.  He had a wonderful photo collection of nearly every ship that passed through the canal during his tenure.  He was gracious in helping me with some great pictures of the early Sandwich apparatus and rescue vehicles that I used in my book "Cape Cod Firefighting" in 2003.
 

- Dennis Fire Dept announces promotion of Firefighter Peter "Cappy" Snow to rank of Captain at 0800 hrs on 11/29/06 for his final 24 hour shift prior to retiring at 0800 hrs on 11/30/06.  He joined DFD as a call firefighter in 1963 and the Dennis FD Rescue Squad in 1966.  He was appointed as a fulltime firefighter 5/20/73.  Cappy has been a dedicated and loyal member of the Dennis FD and a friend to many across the Cape.  We wish him good health and happiness as a "Retired Captain."!    Posted 11/28/06

- Bourne Chief Charles Klueber will be retiring on January 1, 2007.  He is presently using his time and Deputy Chief David "Skip" Kingsbury will be sworn in as Acting Chief Nov.13, 2006.  Bourne is civil service and a chief's list will be utilized in the spring to select a fulltime chief.
Best wishes to Chief Klueber in his retirement. 11/12/06

- David Scott is new COMM Mechanic. Dave was previously the FD mechanic in New Bedford.  He is also a call Captain in Mattapoisett.  Oct 06

- Edgartown Fire Department has appointed Peter Schemeth as the new Fire Chief.  Chief Schemeth has been deputy chief in Edgartown for many years and replaces long time Fire Chief Antone Bettencort who retired.  9/17/06

- COMM FD has announced the retirement of Master Mechanic Karl Sulkala.  Karl was a member of the West Barnstable FD from 1966 to 1979, serving a number of years as the Deputy Chief in WBFD. He spent 4 years in the Air Force 1970-74 working on Crash Trucks. Karl joined the Hyannis FD from 1979-1985.  From 1985 to 1988, he was a member of the Sandwich FD.  In 1988, he joined the COMM FD and has served as a firefighter and master mechanic until his retirement Aug 21, 2006.  Karl has performed mechanical duties for several other departments and is well known across the Cape fire department community.  He is expected to continue to be involved to various degrees in the fire service including delivering brand new fire apparatus and probably fixing things when needed.  We would like to wish Karl a happy, healthy retirement, CONGRATULATIONS, and thanks for your 40 years of service to Cape Cod fire departments.

- COMM FD has also announced the appointment of Lt./Paramedic Richard Scherbarth as the department's new fulltime EMS Officer.  Lt Scherbarth has been a member of COMM FD since 1985.

- Otis FD has reportedly changed their work schedule.  The military 72 hr / wk schedule of 24 on, 24 off, 24 on, 24 off, etc with Kelly days, has reportedly changed to 48 hrs on and 72 hrs off with a Kelly day worked in as well.  Aug 2006

- Bourne FD has appointed Joseph Carrara as Deputy Chief replacing Deputy Robert Berry who recently passed away.  Kellie Weeks has been promoted to Lieutenant.  July 10, 2006

- Nantucket Fire Chief Everett Pierce has resigned.  Deputy Chief Mark McDougall is presently serving as Acting Fire Chief.  June 29, 2006

- Sandwich FD has added a radio frequency.... 484.825   186.2.  The new channel supports two way communications backup to the 800 mhz trunking system.

- Some Fire Chief news from around the area.  Edgartown Fire Chief Antone Bettencort will be retiring soon after some three decades or more of service to Edgartown.  The Nantucket Fire Chief Everett Pierce has been in a little trouble lately and may be retiring according to some reports.  Bourne Fire Chief Charles Klueber has also been making some plans to get some golfing in sometime around the beginning of the new year.  June 15, 2006

- Well known Master Mechanic Karl Sulkala (COMM FD) is on the final countdown to retirement.  Karl has been involved in the fire service across the Cape for many years, working fulltime for Hyannis, Sandwich, and COMM.  He once also served with WBFD as a call deputy chief.  Retirement effective in Aug 2006.  June 15, 2006

- Word comes that Bourne Deputy Chief Robert J. Berry has passed away from cancer at age 54. He died on April 21, 2006. Deputy Berry was a member of Bourne Firefighters Local 1717 and served as the department's head fire investigator.  He was a Vietnam Vet of the Army. He served Bourne FD for many years. April 23, 2006

- A new DRC District 1 Forest Fire Warden has been named. Joshua Nigro will begin duty on April 24th.  He is from Needham, MA and began his fire service career with Malden Emergency Center R2.  He worked in District 14 DEM for a few years.  He has also served in the US Army 59th MP co. with 2 tours in the mid east.  He has most recently been with a wildland fire crew out of El Paso County, Colorado as a Captain. He will assume District 1 Fire Warden duties for the Department of Recreation and Conservation at Shawme Crowell State Forest covering the Cape & Islands.  Welcome aboard.

- Wellfleet Fire Department has named Daniel Silverman as the new Fire Chief. Silverman has been the deputy chief for several years and has been in the acting chief position since last fall.  He takes over from Chief Alan Hight who retired.  March 16, 2006

- Bourne Deputy Chief Robert Berry is presently out on an extended medical leave.  Lt. James Brown has been promoted to the Acting  Deputy position on Group 3 and FF Mike Hodge is the acting Lieutenant. 2/16/06

- Barnstable Fire Department has announced the end of its "Call" fire department.  The Chief stated that the required training and insurance costs, and a poor overall response to alarms led to the decision.  Barnstable thus becomes the latest to rely completely on fulltime personnel.  The Sandwich Fire Department faced the same move last year. A number of personnel let go from both departments joined the West Barnstable Fire Department that still maintains a large, active call department.

- Provincetown Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of retired Fire Chief James F. Meads.  Chief meads passed away on Jan 9, 2006 at age 80.  He joined the Provincetown FD in 1953 and was a founding member of the Ptown Rescue Squad.  He served as Chief from 1983 to 1994.  Services are to be held on Friday Jan 13. 

- Wellfleet Fire Department is interviewing 5 finalists for the position of Fire Chief with the retirement of Chief Alan Hight.  123005.

- West Barnstable will begin 24 hour staffing January 1, 2006.  The recent hiring of two paramedics will enable WBFD to have one firefighter/paramedic on duty 24/7 with additional personnel on days. WBFD has also recently made some promotions and reorganized groups. 123005.

- The Barnstable County Fire Chiefs have announced that as of Jan 1, 2006 all vehicles previously knows as "Rescues" on Cape Cod will be referred to as "Ambulances" in accordance with the new National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines.  Other changes may be coming down the road, although Barnstable County has operated under ICS for many years already and NIMS is basically the evolution of ICS. 112405

- The Bourne Fire Department buried Firefighter William "Billy" E. Palmer Jr. on Nov 23, 2005.  Firefighter Palmer died of cancer last Friday at age 57.  He was the senior member of the Bourne Fire Department, with 35 years of service, at the time of his death.  Full LODD honors were paid to the former Army Sergeant and firefighter with burial at the National Cemetery at Otis. 112405

- West Barnstable's new Fire Chief Joe Maruca has now "officially" taken office, several weeks after being announced as chief. Once again, congratulations.  So far the new chief is still using Car 282 rather than the historical WBFD chief number 291.  112405

- Several Firefighters from the Cape were honored at Firefighter of the Year ceremonies at Faneuil Hall in Boston on Oct 27, 2005. Hyannis and Yarmouth Fire Departments were honored for the efforts dozens of their personnel made rescuing a trapped Orleans firefighter - Mike Gould - involved in an ambulance accident back in March 2005.  The extrication with the Jaws took over an hour.  Three off duty Sandwich firefighters - Capt James Huska, FF Robert George, and FF Jason Vivieros - were honored for being in the right place at the right time and saving the life of a woman and caring for two others who were burned when a portable stove blew up at a Jimmy Buffet concert at the Tweeter Center.  Falmouth Capt James Marshall and Lt Mel Trott were also honored for making a rescue of a woman from a smoke filled apartment on Scranton Ave in May. The late night fire occurred when crews were out on EMS calls and the rescue was made before fire apparatus could be staffed properly. CONGRATULATIONS to all of these personnel for their jobs well done.  Nov 2005

- Bourne Fire Department will not have to face layoffs thanks to a successful override vote by Bourne Voters on October 12, 2005.  The five personnel that would have been laid off will not have to be, thus allowing Bourne to continue to staff 3 stations including the soon to be completed new Sagamore Station 3. 10/13/05

- Wellfleet Fire Chief Alan Hight will be retiring at the end of the year.  It is reported that Deputy Chief Silverman is currently serving as Acting Fire Chief.  Oct 2005

- Falmouth Firefighter & Paramedic Alden Cook has retired effective October 1, 2005.  Alden has been a very active member of the fire - ems service on the Cape with leadership roles in CIEMSS, Inc.  Best wishes to Alden in his retirement.

- West Barnstable Fire Department has announced the appointment of Captain Joseph Maruca to Chief of the West Barnstable Fire Department.  The appointment came at the Prudential Committee Meeting on September 21, 2005.  Congratulations to the Cape's newest Chief.

- Retired Harwich Fire Chief Robert A. Peterson passed away September 18, 2005 at 1712 hours.

- West Barnstable Fire Department has still not appointed a chief to replace Chief Jenkins, who retired in March 2005.  A retirement party for Chief Jenkins will be held on October 1. 9/9/05

- Sandwich Fire Department Chief Dennis Newman has officially retired as of August 31, 2005.  Long time department member and Captain, George Russell has been appointed as acting Chief. He is among several candidates (2 from in house) that are being interviewed for the Chief's Job. Best wishes to Chief Newman who completed 40 years on SFD and about 18 years as the Chief's position. 9/9/05

- Harwich Fire was able to hire back (5) personnel after another town vote in August 2005.  This restored the dispatchers and put the firefighter/paramedics that had been taken off the floor to do dispatching, back on the floor.  Harwich is still short of money and are not able to keep Station 2
open 24/7 unless there is sufficient manpower on duty.

- Harwich Fire lost (4) Firefighter / Paramedics and (2) dispatcher to layoffs in May 2005.

- Sandwich Fire Chief Dennis Newman has reportedly announced his upcoming retirement date. Chief Newman joined the Sandwich FD in 1965 and has served as a firefighter, Lieutenant, and as chief for over the past decade.  May 2005

- Eastham Fire Department has a new Deputy Fire Chief, Mark Foley.  Foley has been a member of the Yarmouth fire department for many years and most recently served as a Lieutenant.  He is also the Assistant director of training at the Barnstable County Fire Rescue Training Academy Congrats to Mark.   April 2005

- West Barnstable Fire Chief John P. Jenkins retired on March 12, 2005 after 32 years as Chief. Deputy Chief Craig Pye acting chief.

- New Chatham Fire Chief  Michael Ambriscoe Jan 2005.

- New Dennis Fire Chief Mark Dellner Jan 2005.

- Barnstable Fire Department has appointed Firefighter Christopher Olsen as the Acting Deputy Chief.  (Sept 2004)

- Brewster has a new Deputy Chief William Harrison.  (Mar 2005)