Gill Fire Department - MA

03/25/2026

This morning at approximately 2:30am we were dispatched to the report of alarms sounding in a residence on Vassar Way. When Chief Kimball arrived on scene there was heavy smoke and flames from the roof and windows. All residents and pets were able to safely escape the home. A 1st alarm was struck and brought in mutual aid assistance from the Greenfield - MA Fire Department, Northfield Fire Department, Bernardston Fire Department, Turners Falls Fire Department, Montague Center Fire Department - Inc. 1941, Erving Fire Department, South Deerfield Fire, Deerfield Fire District, and Friends of Northfield EMS.

Gill Engines 1 and 2 arrived on scene and started fire suppression efforts. With the great assistance of our mutual aid partners Northfield and Bernardston, water supply was established drafting out of the Dry Brook and pumped through 1500' of supply hose to the scene. Due to the remote location, all other assisting fire departments needed to hike in to assist with the extinguishment.

Unfortunately based on the fully involved nature of the fire on arrival, only defensive exterior techniques could be utilized, and the building was mostly destroyed. Our condolences go out to the residents and owners of the house.

Thank you to all our mutual aid partners who responded to assist. We would also like to thank Shelburne Control Dispatch for their excellent management of resources and communications, as well as the Red Cross, Eversource, and Massachusetts State Police / Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Fire Marshall's office.

03/07/2026

Congratulations Miles from all of us back in Gill!

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Miles Keefe on graduating the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Career Recruit Academy.
Firefighter Keefe began his fire service on the Gill Fire Department - MA and will now be joining our day shift for the remainder of his probationary time.
Congratulations FF Keefe and welcome back on shift!
*Pictured from left to right: Massachusetts State Fire Marshall Jon Davine, Firefighter Miles Keefe, and Fire Chief Todd Brunelle

09/19/2025

Did you know that there is a program for all departments to help on-board new and provide continuous education to local firefighters!? Please give this page a follow, and help promote the strong work to keep our departments full of well trained and proficient firefighters!

We here in Gill are lucky enough to have two instructors on our department who volunteer to provide their expertise and knowledge as part of the Tri-State Basic 6 program. Many others assist as support staff during their training evolutions.

This is a 6 week training program covering basic firefighting skills. Based out of Franklin County MA

08/26/2025

Thank you Turners Falls Fire Department for the assist! Working together with our mutual aid partners is very important. Especially these days where most departments are experiencing staffing challenges. If you are interested in assisting the community please reach out to your local fire department 🚒. Gill Fire is actively recruiting paid on call members. Feel free to give us a call or send us a message!

This morning the Turners Falls Fire Department assisted our brothers and sisters of the Gill Fire Department - MA in retrieving a disabled vessel on the Connecticut River. The boat and its occupants were safely towed from near the French King Bridge to the Gill boat ramp. There crews assisted the owners with getting the unit removed from the water and onto a trailer.

07/04/2025

UPDATE: 07-09-2025 *** The boat ramp has reopened ***

State Boat Ramp in Gill will be closed and locked the Morning of Monday July 7th, 2025.

Early next week FirstLight will begin repairs to the Turners Falls Dam Bascule Gate #2, requiring a drawdown of the Turners Falls Impoundment upstream of the Turners Falls Dam that is likely to beach boats and docks along the river. FirstLight is making every effort to maintain water levels over the weekend to allow boat and dock owners to remove or adjust their vessels and structures before the drawdown.

FirstLight also expects that boat-based recreation and navigation on the river will be significantly inhibited for the duration of the drawdown and associated repair work. The company has consulted with state and local public safety officials and urges community members and recreation users to avoid the river during the drawdown, as the riverbed will be wet, presenting a sinking hazard.

At this time, FirstLight expects the work will take 1-5 days, though it may take longer for the river to return to normal levels should the flows remain low, as they are now.



Further details can be found here: https://firstlight.energy/firstlight-update-on-the-turners-falls-bascule-gate-system-incident-and-repair-effort/

06/27/2025

We are here for you Whitney Family. ❤️

06/26/2025

Last night we had the honor of attending the graduation of two Gill Firefighters from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Call/Volunteer Fire Academy. Firefighter Nik Martin and Miles Keefe both put the time and effort in to successfully earn their Pro Board FF 1/2 and HazMat OLR. We could not be prouder of them. Special thanks to Turners Falls Fire Department and Chief Brunelle for allowing FF Keefe to graduate under our department title, even though they have hired him as a career member. We are excited to see where both these new firefighters take their careers!

05/23/2025

PSA for sound sensitivity pets and people: A fireworks display will take place in the Northern end of Gill at 9:30pm, and last for approximately 15 minutes.

03/15/2025

Our thoughts are with the Northfield Fire Department and the Quinn Family. Thank you David for your years of service to your community and all your mutual aid communities.

View David Quinn Jr.'s obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

02/18/2025

GILL — William “Bill” Kimball is the new Gill fire chief, but he’s not a new face at the department.

02/13/2025

Update from the NMH McCollum Hockey Arena fire:

As Gill Fire officers arrived on scene there was heavy smoke pushing out around the roof area of the rear of the building. A first alarm was struck for mutual aid assistance. Crews made entry into the building and could see flames through the locker room window. Gill Engine 1 crew was able to knock down the fire with their initial attack line. Mutual Aid crews assisted with checking for extension, overhaul, and water supply.

Further investigation in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Massachusetts State Police Fire Marshal's Office lead investigators to the area of a propane gas wall mounted heater. It is still under investigation, but preliminary results point toward an electrical issue.