About Bourne Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services
Bourne Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services is a combination all-hazards response department that provides both emergency and non-emergency services to the residents, employees, and visitors of the Town of Bourne. Over the past five years, the department averaged over 4,600 requests for emergency services annually. The department is staffed by four shifts of 10 people on duty when at full staff, with a nine-person minimum. There are three staffed fire stations which are located in Buzzards Bay, Sagamore Beach, and Monument Beach. The unstaffed station in Pocasset houses one fire engine used by off-duty and call personnel. Headquarters (Sagamore Beach) is staffed with at least two firefighters and the deputy chief shift commander, while the two substations are staffed with two firefighters. All full-time personnel are certified at the EMT or paramedic level. Each staffed station houses an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance, an ALS engine, and a supervisor's vehicle. There is at least one paramedic on duty at each station at all times. The career staff is supplemented with eight paid, on-call personnel. In addition to the operations staff, the department has a full-time Chief of Department, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention Officer/Lieutenant, and administrative assistant.
The role of the firefighter is constantly evolving due to the expanding scope of emergencies that the public expects the fire service to mitigate. Due to the nature of the geography and infrastructure of the Town of Bourne, department requests are increasing for specialized rescue incidents, including low- and high-angle, confined space, and water rescue emergencies. Hazardous materials incident responses have increased as well.
While emergency response is what the department is known for, department personnel provide additional non-emergency services that significantly impact the community. Each non-emergency service provided is directed at prevention and risk reduction efforts. In addition to the Fire Prevention Officer, operations personnel in all ranks participate in some fire of fire and injury prevention. The Assistant Chief and Chief of Department conduct plans review. One deputy oversees all fuel tanks, as well as fuel transfer truck operations, and he conducts underground storage tank research. Another deputy oversees the public fire and life safety program for the department.