01/05/2026
It was a very busy year for the Charlestown Fire Department. The department received a total of 442 requests for service in 2025. This represents a 20% increase in call volume over 2024. The department continues to get busier and busier with more demands on our services. If you look at the last 1/3rd of the year call volumes were about 43% higher than the same period of time in 2024.
Not only has the total volume of calls increased so has their complexity and acuity. The state and federal government breaks our call types down into 8 categories; Fires, Overpressures/Explosions, Rescues & EMS, Hazardous Conditions (with no fire), Service Calls, Good intent calls, False Alarms, and Severe weather/natural disasters. The fire department saw an increase across the board in all service areas with the exception of False Alarms which decreased by 24% compared to last year. The most serious category, fires, increased 100% over last year. With ongoing development in Charlestown including both residential and commercial properties coming into town we expect demand to continue to rise.
The department recruited 11 new members throughout 2025. This is an incredible accomplishment given the national difficulties fire departments are facing with regards to staffing, retention, and recruitment. I am so thankful for these individuals stepping up and helping their community.
Fifteen of our members completed training that lead to new certifications throughout the year. This includes EMT training from the basic level to the advanced level and fire specific training as well. These employees have literally dedicated thousands of hours of time studying, attending classes and practical sessions, doing clinicals, and testing to make this accomplishment happen. We are nothing without these dedicated public servants. I can’t thank them enough for all of their hard work and dedication.
We thank the town for their ongoing support in our department.
Chief J. Beaudry
Charlestown Fire Department
