Orange, MA Fire Rescue EMS

06/01/2026

Our condolences to the Athol Police Department and Sgt Deveneau.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of retired K9 Officer Gronk.

K9 Gronk was appointed as a K9 Officer for the Town of Athol on June 25, 2017, alongside his handler, then-Officer Craig Deveneau. Throughout his distinguished career, Gronk served the citizens of Athol with unwavering loyalty, dedication, and professionalism. He assisted in numerous narcotics investigations and missing person searches, helping to keep our community safe.

During his nearly nine years of service, Gronk achieved and maintained multiple certifications, including Patrol K9 Team and Narcotic Detection K9 Team through the Boston Police Canine Academy. He also earned certifications through the North American Police Work Dog Association in obedience, article searches, area searches, building searches, tracking, and aggression control, and achieved excellence in certification through the United States Police Canine Association. In addition, Gronk completed the required 16 hours of monthly continuing education training throughout his career.

Earlier this year, due to his age and Sergeant Craig Deveneau's promotion, Gronk retired healthy on February 8, 2026. He spent his retirement enjoying life at home with Sergeant Deveneau.

Recently, Gronk was diagnosed with an aggressive and untreatable form of cancer. On May 30, 2026, Sergeant Deveneau made the difficult and compassionate decision to put his trusted partner to rest.

The bond between a K9 and their handler is unlike any other. Gronk was more than a police dog; he was a partner, protector, and beloved member of the Deveneau family and the Athol Police Department family.

In honor of Gronk's service and sacrifice, Athol Police officers will be wearing mourning bands on their badges until Gronk is returned home to Sergeant Deveneau from the crematorium.

We ask that you keep Sergeant Deveneau and his family in your thoughts during this difficult time as they mourn the loss of a loyal companion and friend.

Thank you, Gronk, for your years of faithful service to our department and community. Your pawprints will forever remain in our hearts. 💙🐾

Rest easy, K9 Gronk. We have the watch from here.

05/31/2026

5.31.26 2:34pm- Minor MVC at the intersection of Rte 202 & Rte 122 today slowed traffic up for a bit. The incident was cleared within 25min due to the quick work of Mass State Police, Orange PD and Dale’s Towing. There were no injuries and one vehicle was towed.
Photos by On-scene Images by Bryan Favreau

05/30/2026

Congratulations to Ralph C. Mahar Class of 2026!! Be proud of all you have accomplished, be proud to be a Senator, and be inspired for your future!

Today we celebrate the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School Class of 2026.

This is a class that began one of the most important chapters of their lives through computer screens, masks, uncertainty, and a world that looked very different than the one they are graduating into today. Yet through every challenge, change, and milestone, they persevered.

As our keynote speaker, Mrs. Caitlin Squires-Lacoste, reminded us through the words of George Feeny from Boy Meets World: "Be well. Do good."

Simple words, but powerful ones.

As you leave Mahar, we hope you carry those words with you. Be well in your pursuit of happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. Do good in your communities, your careers, your relationships, and the lives of those around you.

We are proud of all you have accomplished, grateful for the memories you have created, and excited to see where your journeys take you next.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. Once a Senator, always a Senator.

05/25/2026

Today we honor those whom have sacrificed for us.
To all those affected by a sacrifice made for our country, we wish you a thoughtful and meaningful day.

05/24/2026

The Boston Fire Department announced that Robert T. Kilduff, a 24-year veteran, passed away in the line of duty.
Members of our department share our condolences to the Boston Fire Dept and all those affected by his loss

05/18/2026

This week we celebrate all of our EMS professionals. The care our EMTs and paramedics give to our community members is unparalleled. They continue to train and learn in order to improve their skills and knowledge all the time.
Give them a thanks if you see them out and about

05/17/2026

Thank you to all who coordinated this event and those who spent their Saturday morning running a 5K. Your support is so appreciated

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out for the Orange Fire Department 5K. We successfully raised $1,000 . Thank you for your support !!

https://facebook.com/events/s/orange-fire-department-5k/959757860351657/

05/15/2026

Please welcome our two newest members, FF/Paramedic Martin Given and FF/EMTHunter Reget. They began training with all groups this week and will join group 2 under Captain Emerson on the 26th.
They will be attending the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy shortly and firefighter Reget will also be attending paramedic school.
We are looking forward to having them join us and serve this community

05/07/2026

5.7.26- UMass Memorial LifeFlight landed at Orange MA, Municipal Airport News & Events to transfer a patient to the trauma center after a Motor Vehicle vs Pedestrian accident in town this morning.
Special shoutout Athol Fire Department for sending an ambulance mutual aid while our ambulance was committed to another call.
Captain Matthews had Incident Command of the motor vehicle accident and quickly relocated and transitioned to Command and secure a landing zone.
In times of multiple calls and limited personnel, we often find ourselves in dual roles, both administratively and operationally. We are fortunate to have dedicated staff on our dept that are able to do both.
Pictured is FF/Medic Rodriguez

05/06/2026

Our thoughts are with the Massachusetts State Police as they mourn the loss of a Trooper during a wrong-way driving incident on Route 1 in Lynnfield early this morning.
Thinking of the troopers, responders, family and friends affected by this tragedy.