Norwood Firefighters Local 1631

09/03/2026

Throwback Thursday to the 1990s — a look back at Norwood Fire working alongside UMass Life Flight and the Norwood Hospital Paramedics during a patient transfer at Norwood Memorial Airport.

These photos are a great reminder of how long term strong partnerships, teamwork, and emergency medical care have been part of the job. Whether on the ground or in the air, it has always taken coordination, skill, and dedication to get patients the care they need.

A lot has changed over the years, but the mission remains the same: serving the community and doing everything possible for those in need.

UMass Memorial LifeFlight

09/02/2026

We’ve received a few questions recently about Norwood’s ambulance service, who staffs our ambulances, and what it means when you hear EMT, Paramedic or Firefighter/Paramedic.

Norwood operates a municipal, fire-based Advanced Life Support ambulance service. Our two frontline ambulances, NA4 and NA5, are paramedic-level ambulances staffed by Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics.

Paramedics provide the highest level of routine prehospital care in Massachusetts, including cardiac monitoring, advanced airway management, IV/IO access, emergency medications and treatment of critically ill or injured patients.

In Norwood, those providers are also firefighters.

That means our personnel are prepared to respond to the full range of emergencies in our community, including fires, motor vehicle crashes, technical rescues, hazardous materials incidents, serious medical emergencies and other calls for service. Many EMS incidents also involve significant trauma, including people trapped in vehicles or machinery, rollover crashes and other complex rescue situations that require the equipment, training and personnel carried on our fire apparatus.

Those incidents are supported by our entire department. While two frontline ALS ambulances provide primary ambulance coverage, Engine 6 and Ladder 1 also carry ALS gear and frequently respond to medical and trauma calls with additional Firefighter/EMTs, Firefighter/Paramedics and specialized equipment. This allows us to provide medical care while also addressing extrication, rescue, fire protection, traffic hazards and other scene needs.

Since the closure of Norwood Hospital, longer transports outside of town can keep ambulance crews committed for extended periods, making coordinated responses, additional fire apparatus and mutual aid increasingly important.

Whether responding to a fire, a serious crash, a technical rescue, a cardiac arrest or any other emergency, our goal is simple:

Providing highly trained personnel, specialized equipment and high-quality emergency care to the people of Norwood as quickly as possible.

09/01/2026

Well said Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF, we’re going to borrow it! Mike Rush for Senate

With too few Veterans holding elected office in Boston and across Massachusetts, it’s important to support the ones we have; those who have proven their advocacy to us like Senator Mike Rush, Veteran of the Global War on Terror, who continues to serve in the US Navy.

Catholic Memorial educator, West Roxbury’s Mike Rush is our first call on issues impacting Local 718 members & our families in his district and across the city.

Boston Local 718 is proud to endorse Mike Rush for re-election to the Massachusetts State Senate.

09/01/2026

Norwood Engine 6 is currently providing mutual aid station coverage in Canton while crews operate at an ongoing fire incident on Dan Road. Off-duty Norwood firefighters have been recalled to staff a callback engine, helping maintain fire protection and response coverage here in town while E6 is committed out of town.

08/29/2026

The Norwood Fire Department and Norwood Firefighters Local 1631 are set up downtown and looking forward to a great day with the community. Stop by our tents to say hello, meet some of your Norwood firefighters, and check out the Norwood Fire t-shirts and mugs we have for sale.

Norwood Day is always a great chance to get out, enjoy downtown, visit the many local organizations, businesses, groups and vendors, and see so many of the people and things that make Norwood such a great community.

We hope everyone has a fun and safe Norwood Day. Be sure to stop by and see us while you’re out!

08/25/2026

Local 1631 is proud to endorse Greg Connor for Norfolk County District Attorney.
Greg Connor for District Attorney

08/25/2026

Local 1631 proudly stands by our endorsements for elected office in the September 1st Massachusetts primary. As members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)and the International Association of Fire Fighters we stand by our political motto; We support those that support us!
Stephen F. Lynch
Mike Rush for Senate
State Representative John H. Rogers

08/21/2026

Today, Governor Maura Healey joined state and local leaders in front of Norwood Hospital for a ceremonial signing of the recently enacted law regarding Norwood Hospital and to discuss the path forward for finally returning a full-service hospital to Norwood and the surrounding communities.

After more than six years without our local hospital, the Commonwealth now has the authority to acquire the property by eminent domain if Medical Properties Trust does not reach a sale with a qualified nonprofit hospital operator by November 1. The legislation signed by Governor Healey gives the state a clear mechanism to take control of the property and move it toward a nonprofit operator capable of completing and reopening the hospital.

For Norwood firefighters and paramedics, the loss of Norwood Hospital has been felt every single day. Our ambulances routinely travel farther from town to reach emergency departments, increasing transport times and keeping crews and ambulances committed outside of Norwood longer. The hospital historically served not only Norwood, but approximately 250,000 residents throughout the surrounding region.

There is still work ahead before patients are once again walking through the doors of Norwood Hospital, but for the first time in years there is a real path to getting there.

We want to express our deepest thanks to Governor Healey and our legislative delegation John Rogers, Mike Rush and Stephen Lynch who worked tirelessly to make this a reality. We also want to recognize and thank General Manager Tony Mazzuco the Norwood Board of Selectmen, the Norwood Hospital Task Force, and everyone who has continued fighting to bring emergency and acute care back to our community

Maura Healey
State Representative John H. Rogers
Stephen F. Lynch
Senator Mike Rush
Town of Norwood MA
Walpole Firefighters IAFF Local 2464
Westwood Firefighters Local 1994

08/19/2026

Seeking help is a sign of strength!

If this is an emergency, call or Text 988 immediately to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline

"The mission of the Members Assistance Program is to continually grow our network throughout the PFFM (Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts) to assist members in all matters pertaining to behavioral health, substance use, and overall mental wellness. The MAP acts as a bridge between members and resources both in and out of state to ensure their well-being."

To reach Mike Jefferson, Director of the PFFM's Membership Assistance Program, call 617-523-4506 ext. 602

PFFM Member Assistance Program
- behavioral health
- PTSD
- substance abuse
- su***de

"Ensuring the well-being of our own"

08/18/2026

The members of Norwood Firefighters Local 1631 extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Norwood Fire Dispatcher Timothy P. Fitzgerald, who passed away on August 16, 2026, at the age of 66.

A lifelong Norwood resident, Tim dedicated much of his life to public service. Tim served his country and was a proud veteran, he served as a military firefighter at Fort Devens and Otis AFB before going on to serve as a dispatcher for the Norwood Fire Department, as well as serving at the Weymouth Naval Air Station and Hanscom Air Force Base.

Beyond his service in public safety, Tim was deeply connected to the Norwood community. He coached Norwood Pop Warner, was a member of Norwood Elks Lodge #1124 and American Legion Post #273, and was a familiar face to generations of Norwood residents.

We are proud to remember Tim as part of the history of the Norwood Fire Department and are grateful for the years he spent serving our members and the people of Norwood.

Our thoughts are with his children, grandchildren, brothers, extended family, and all who knew him.

Rest in peace, Tim. Thank you for your service to our country, our department, and our community.

https://www.kraw-kornackfuneralhome.com/obituaries/timothy-fitzgerald