Palmer Fire Department

Palmer Fire Department Serving Palmer since 1885

Fire Department Staff:

Officers:
*Chief William Bernat
*Captain Sean Reynolds
*Captain Ryan Gauthier
*Lieutenant Todd Warren
*Lieutenant Matt Caulfield
*Lieutenant John Fitzgerald

Firefighters:
Firefighter Brian Sizer
*Firefighter Sean Snyder
Firefighter Shawn Doran
*Firefighter Jeffery Zajac
*Firefighter Laurie Manning(Fire and Life Safety Educator)
*Firefighter Devan Beane
*Firefighter Ric

hard Knorring
*Firefighter Shane Richardson
*Firefighter Andrew Nothe
*Firefighter Patrick Jessop
*Firefighter Grace Sizer
*Recruit Nicholas Warren
Recruit David Gavin
*Recruit Kristen Schuelke
Recruit Bevan Forbes

Staff:
Fire Chaplain Gary Doane

* Denotes Commonwealth of Massachusetts Firefighter I/II Certified

Yesterday, Palmer Firefighters completed their annual Emergency Vehicle Operations Cone Course (EVOC), an important comp...
06/17/2026

Yesterday, Palmer Firefighters completed their annual Emergency Vehicle Operations Cone Course (EVOC), an important component of our driver training program.

Each apparatus operator is required to successfully complete the course with every piece of apparatus they are authorized to drive, ensuring they maintain proficiency and remain current with department training standards. The course challenges drivers to navigate a series of maneuvers designed to reinforce safe vehicle operation, spatial awareness, and apparatus handling skills.

Training like this helps ensure that our firefighters can operate emergency vehicles safely and effectively while responding to incidents throughout our community.

Great news for the Palmer Fire Department! We are excited to announce the delivery of four new sets of Globe Turnout Gea...
06/11/2026

Great news for the Palmer Fire Department!

We are excited to announce the delivery of four new sets of Globe Turnout Gear featuring the Gore-Tex Crosstech moisture barrier, which is PFAS-free and designed to provide enhanced protection and safety for our firefighters.

This important equipment purchase was made possible through a $15,000 award from the FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security's Department of Fire Services.

We are grateful for this funding opportunity, which helps us continue investing in the health, safety, and well-being of our firefighters while ensuring they have access to the latest protective equipment available.

Thank you to the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security and the Department of Fire Services for supporting firefighter safety across the Commonwealth.

Join Us in Celebrating Laurie's Retirement! After years of dedicated service to our community, Laurie will be retiring o...
06/09/2026

Join Us in Celebrating Laurie's Retirement!

After years of dedicated service to our community, Laurie will be retiring on July 1st. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for fire and life safety education, touching the lives of countless children, families, educators, first responders, and community members.

Laurie's commitment to keeping our community safe has left a lasting impact, and her dedication, professionalism, and caring spirit will be greatly missed. While we are excited for her as she begins this new chapter, we want to take the opportunity to recognize and celebrate all that she has accomplished.

We invite friends, colleagues, community partners, former students, educators, first responders, and residents to join us in honoring Laurie and thanking her for her years of outstanding service.

Please see the attached flyer for event details.

Let's come together to celebrate an incredible career and wish Laurie a happy and well-deserved retirement!

Congratulations, Laurie, and thank you for everything you have done for our community!

At 15:59 hours, the Palmer Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 1015 Bridge Street, to the rear of the Palmer H...
06/08/2026

At 15:59 hours, the Palmer Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 1015 Bridge Street, to the rear of the Palmer Highway Department property, for a reported brush fire.
Crews arrived on scene and located a slow-moving brush fire approximately one-quarter acre in size. The fire area was bordered by a nearby river and the CSX rail line, which acted as natural fire breaks and helped limit fire spread.
Investigation determined the fire originated beneath high-tension transmission lines after a broken crossarm allowed a power line to come into contact with a guy wire, energizing the ground surface and igniting the surrounding brush. National Grid representatives responded to the scene and safely de-energized the system. CSX rail traffic was temporarily stopped while fire crews operated alongside the rail line to gain access and contain the fire.
The fire was contained within approximately 20 minutes of dispatch. Crews remained on scene for an additional 30 minutes extinguishing hot spots and conducting overhaul operations.
There were no injuries reported and, aside from the damaged utility equipment that caused the incident, no property damage occurred. CSX rail traffic has since resumed. Residents in the downtown and Route 20 areas may continue to experience intermittent power outages while National Grid crews complete repairs to the damaged equipment.

This morning, the Palmer Police Department hosted a joint training session with the Palmer Fire Department, Three Rivers...
06/06/2026

This morning, the Palmer Police Department hosted a joint training session with the Palmer Fire Department, Three Rivers Fire Department, and Bondsville Fire Department focused on scene safety considerations for first responders.

The training was designed to enhance responder safety and interagency coordination during emergency incidents. Participants received instruction on hazard identification, crime scene awareness, and evidence preservation, all of which play a critical role in ensuring both responder safety and the integrity of subsequent investigations.

Integrated training opportunities such as these strengthen collaboration between public safety agencies and are essential to the safety of our responders, the success of investigations, and the continued protection of the communities we serve.

Thank you to the Palmer Police Department for coordinating this valuable training opportunity.

May 2026 EMS Report
06/05/2026

May 2026 EMS Report

Congratulations to Firefighter Grace Leone-Forgette and Firefighter Nicholas Lafrennie on theirgraduation from the Massa...
06/02/2026

Congratulations to Firefighter Grace Leone-Forgette and Firefighter Nicholas Lafrennie on their
graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's Career Recruit Training Program at
the Springfield Campus, Class S45!
Over the past ten weeks, both firefighters completed an intensive training program consisting of
more than 400 hours of classroom instruction, practical exercises, and hands-on firefighting
skills development. Their successful completion of the academy reflects their determination,
professionalism, and commitment to serving the residents of Palmer.
This achievement marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in their fire service careers, and
we are proud to welcome them as fully trained members of the Palmer Fire Department.
Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Leone-Forgette and Firefighter Lafrennie on this
outstanding accomplishment. We look forward to their continued service and dedication to our
community

06/02/2026

Tonight's training focused on natural gas and propane emergencies. Jason Emery from Eversource provided firefighters with valuable instruction on the components and nomenclature of gas delivery systems, as well as best practices for emergency response.

Firefighters also reviewed case studies from past incidents, discussing lessons learned and strategies for safely managing gas-related emergencies. Training opportunities such as these help ensure our members remain prepared to protect the community and operate safely in complex emergency situations.

Thank you to Jason and Eversource for sharing their expertise and supporting firefighter education.

Our hearts, our prayers, and our most solemn condolences are with the family of Boston Fire Department Firefighter Rober...
05/24/2026

Our hearts, our prayers, and our most solemn condolences are with the family of Boston Fire Department Firefighter Robert Kilduff Jr., as well as his brothers and sisters of Rescue Company 2 and the entire Boston Fire Department.

Yesterday, 5/19/26 at 4:42 PM, the Palmer Fire Department was dispatched to assist the Monson Fire Department with a str...
05/20/2026

Yesterday, 5/19/26 at 4:42 PM, the Palmer Fire Department was dispatched to assist the Monson Fire Department with a structure fire at 430 Lower Hampden Road. Chief 162 and Tower 161 responded to the scene to provide mutual aid assistance.

Crews operated for several hours performing interior fire attack operations, establishing a water supply, and conducting aerial operations including ventilation and aerial master stream operations. These operations were carried out during what has been, so far, the hottest day of the year, creating extremely challenging working conditions for all responders on scene.

Address

12 Walnut Street
Palmer, MA
01069

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 4pm
Tuesday 6am - 4pm
Wednesday 6am - 4pm
Thursday 6am - 4pm
Friday 6am - 4pm
Saturday 6am - 4pm
Sunday 6am - 4pm

Telephone

+14132833861

Website

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