Rochester Fire Department

01/07/2023

This morning at approximately 8:30am the RFD responded to this single vehicle crash at Walnut Plain Rd and Burgess Ave. The operator lost control of the vehicle which left the roadway and landed approximately 100 feet into a swampy area off of Walnut Plain Road. The female operator was able to self extricate out of the vehicle and was waiting for responders on the side of the roadway. The operator was taken to St Lukes Hospital with minor injuries. Crews remained on scene until the vehicle was safely removed from the swamp.

01/05/2023

Congratulations to Chief Harrie Ashley of the Freetown Fire Department on your promotion to Chief of the Freetown department. We will continue to enjoy and appreciate our relationship and look forward to working with you and your department in the future.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF.

As I begin the final chapter of my career with the Freetown Fire Department I need to recognize the people that are making this possible. The display of support at my Swearing In Ceremony last evening was humbling.

First and foremost, my Wife and family.
Without their understanding, love and ability to accept and adjust to the never ending Absences , Interrupted family functions and Time away from home My career would look much different.

My coworkers, from the Chief Officers to the Probationary Firefighters. Local 3213 and the Call firefighters Association.
An amazing group of people to work, train, and Live with.
Together we laugh, cry, bleed, and fight, highs and lows , in the end we are family.
Always striving to be better for each other and the community we serve. It’s not Magic, It’s just taking care of people. My Department is an amazing group of caring individuals who makeup an unbeatable team.

The support from all of our regional Fire departments has to be mentioned. Especially the Bristol County Fire Chiefs, I have heard “ If you need anything, let me know” so many times in the last few months. Just a great Group of folks supporting each other ( even the new guy). My Brothers and Sisters across the line in Plymouth County also need to be mentioned.

Lastly but definitely not the least is my Community. Freetown ……
I love this town , the people and the Agencies that keep it running. Everyone has been so supportive during this Transition , Especially Town Hall and the Board of selectman’s office. Highway, Police , Communications, The agencies we work with on a daily basis.

You all have made this the best place to have the “Best job in the world” and I am Truly Grateful.

Harrie

01/05/2023

Photos from The Rescue Company 1's post

01/03/2023

The Rochester Fire Department and all its members would like to wish Freetown Fire Chief Gary Silvia a Happy and Healthy Retirement and thank him for his many years of friendship, and support to the Rochester Fire Department and our Rochester Community. To a great Chief, a true leader and a trusted colleague, we thank you. May you have as many years of health and prosperity in your retirement as you had in your years of dedicated service to the Town of Freetown Fire Department and the Freetown Community you served.

01/01/2023

Happy New Year 2023 from our fire family to yours.
May it be filled with Health, Prosperity, Kindness and Love.

12/31/2022

We send our usual PSA each and every year at this time. It holds true each year. Have a very safe and responsible New Year !!!!

12/28/2022

Photos from Carver Fire Department's post

12/25/2022

A message from Chief Weigel and our entire RFD family.
“May you have a safe and blessed holiday filled with endless gifts of peace, hope and love.”

12/19/2022

Last week several members of the RFD along with representatives from Police and Fire Departments and Tow companies from around the Southcoast attended a class on Electric Vehicles and the issues faced dealing with them after an accident or car fire. The management of motor vehicle accidents and fires involving EVs is substantially different than our normal operations. A representative from the Energy Security Agency or ESA made the trip from their headquarters in Ohio to present the program. Attendees were familiarized with the operations of EVs and the tactics we need to adopt when operating around electric vehicles which have been involved in an incident.
Thanks to Big Wheels for hosting the event and ESA for their extensive expertise.

12/15/2022

The RFD was honored to recieve the helmet of Brother Dale Melanson of the Plymouth Fire Department in a show of support and unity for Dale who was recently diagnosed with ALS. The helmet spent the day in Rochester on our Day Room table, along with the story about Dale and his fight for the various crews to see. This helmet will now travel to another fire department in the commonwealth. We are honored to be in this fight with Dale.
Plymouth Fire Relief Association

12/11/2022

Photos from Rochester Police Department, MA's post

12/11/2022

RFD Chief Scott Weigel pictured here with Plymouth County DA, Tim Cruz District Attorney Tim Cruz received a $500 donation from the Plymouth County Triad Program. The money will go toward Smoke Alarms and CO Detectors for Seniors as part of the RFDs participation in the Triad initiative to assist our towns Senior population. The Rochester Fire Association has agreed to match that amount with a donation to purchase additional Smoke Alarms and CO Detectors.

12/10/2022

The Rochester Fire Department is proud to be a part of the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office Triad program, doing our part along with the Rochester Police, Rochester Council on Aging, Plymouth County Sheriff and DA’s Office, to assist and protect our Rochester Senior community.

12/10/2022

RFD was dispatched to a single vehicle rollover on Snipatuit Rd yesterday with the occupant trapped in the vehicle. On arrival the vehicle was found on its side and the operator was self extricating through the rear window which had broken out in the crash. The operator refused transport to the hospital and reported no injuries. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for evaluation of a hand injury. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Rochester Police.

12/10/2022

The RFD was called to this crash on Mary’s Pond Road earlier this week. There were no injuries to the occupant of the vehicle, the car however, wasn’t as lucky and suffered some bumps and bruises.
Stay safe out there, drive within the limits and don’t drive distracted.

12/06/2022

Santa had a great time at tonight’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. We would love to share your pictures. You can attach them here to this post or message us with your favorite Santa photos from lasts nights event !!! Santa left in a hurry to get to his next event but we will be sure to share the pictures with him.

12/05/2022

Kirsten Ann on TikTok

Kirsten Ann on TikTok

12/05/2022

Santa had a great day today strolling through town. He told us that he gave out over 2,340 candy canes on his journey. What a turnout !!!! There were hundreds and hundreds of Families and endless happy faces on Santa’s 20+ mile route through town today. The weather cooperated and it was a great day. Special thanks to all the Fire Department “Santa Helpers” and the Rochester Police Brotherhood for their protection service !!! As always we thank MaryLou's for our delicious hot cocoa and coffee !!!! If you have pictures or videos please post them below or message us and we will include them. Santa will be staying In Town until tomorrow evenings Tree Lighting ceremony at the Town Hall Starting at 5:00pm. If you didn’t get a chance to see Santa today, come on out tomorrow evening and sing a tune or two with Santa !!!! Ho Ho Hoooo and Merry Christmas !!!

12/04/2022

Good thing, we had a little help from the Rochester Police Brotherhood when the Grinch was getting a little Naughty! Thank you, Officer Alves! That was a close one! Stay nice, kids!

12/04/2022

We apologize that the link is not updating in real time, one of Santas helpers will be updating under this post every 10 minutes or so!

Just a reminder, the route is posted under a previous post, so if you happen to miss us, there are other opportunities further down the road. We are thankful to see so many happy faces as we make our way through town!

Please share your videos of us either under these post or shoot us a message. We would love to add some them to our video! 

12/04/2022

See my real-time location on Google Maps!

Santa has arrived and is getting ready to get underway click here to follow Santa on his route.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qFbfeNzJsHUvpZud8 

Visit Google Maps to check out my real-time location. With the Google Maps App you can share your location with friends and family too.

12/04/2022

media1.tenor.co

…this just in !!!!!
Santa fighting the bad weather to get here….good luck Santa see you in the morning !!!!

12/03/2022

Thanks for that live update Santa !!! Just as a reminder, attached is the route Santa and Mrs Clause will be taking tomorrow. We will leave from 200 Ryder Road at 10:00am… please check this page at 10:00am and we will provide a link to Santa’s GPS so that you can watch the map as he travels through town. We can’t wait to guide Santa and Mrs Clause through our wonderful town!!!! See you tomorrow !!!!

12/03/2022

The RFD was dispatched to Snipatuit Rd for a car versus tree. The operator of the vehicle was out of the vehicle and waiting for responders to arrive. Seatbelt use again can be credited for the minor injuries that resulted. The operator was transported to the hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving from our fire family to yours. May it be filled with traditions and plentiful bounty. Please stay safe and healthy.

11/23/2022

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better watch out
I’m telling you why !!!!
Yes yes yes
SANTA and MRS CLAUS are COMING TO OUR TOWN DECEMBER 4TH STARTING at 10:00AM !!!!!
Rochester Police Department, MA
Tri-Town Guide
Sippican Week
The Wanderer

11/11/2022

10/15/2022

The RFD had a great time at todays Fall Family Festival at Old Colony Regional Vocational High School. The RFD set up its amazing “Obsta”cool” Course” there were some great future firefighter prospects who completed the comprehensive course in record time. Fall Family Fun had by all. Some videos from todays OBSTA”COOL” COURSE.

10/15/2022

The RFD had a great time at todays Fall Family Festival at Old Colony Regional Vocational High School. The RFD set up its amazing “Obsta”cool” Course” there were some great future firefighter prospects who completed the comprehensive course in record time. Fall Family Fun had by all.

10/06/2022

Awards Ceremony cont.

10/06/2022

Last Wednesday evening the Rochester Fire Department was honored to hold its 2022 Awards Ceremony at the Rochester Memorial School. The ceremony was well attended by over 150 of our firefighter and police families, friends and distinguished guests. On this night we honored 6 Rochester Firefighters and Paramedics, 2 Rochester Police Officers, 2 Freetown Firefighters with a Lifesaver Award. We honored 2 Regional Old Colony Comm Center Dispatchers with 911 Lifesaver Awards, 1 Civilian Lifesaver Award and two Certificates of Recognition. This special group of individuals all collectively played a critical role in the saving of our Fire Chiefs life back on 8/14/22 when he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home. We awarded 1 Civilian Recognition Award. The department recognized member Service Awards for 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25 and 20 years of service. We honored several members with Retired and Lifelong Member Awards and at the end of the evening we held an Officer Promotional Ceremony promoting 5 members to the rank of Lieutenant, 2 members to the rank of Captain and 1 member to the rank of Deputy Chief. We are honored and proud as a department to recognize all of these individuals and each and every one of their achievements. Congratulations jobs well done. Here are some photos from the ceremony and a registered nurse and 1 registered nurse

10/06/2022

We love it when our friends stop by to say Hi !!!! “Just a boy and a fire truck” thanks for stopping by Landon and have a great year in school !!!

10/04/2022

Job well done, no pun intended. New Bedford Fire Department Lt Steven Torres rescued an elderly wheelchair bound victim trapped in her third floor apartment yesterday. Surrounded by fire Lt Torres shielded the victim from the high heat and fire as he and other Firefighters rescued the woman from her 3rd floor apartment. The woman rescued was transported to St Luke’s Hospital and then to Rhode Island Hospital. Lt Torres suffered burns as well. Two other individuals were also rescued from the apartment. Below are pictures of Lt. Torres structural fire gear, charred from the high heat and flame. Unbelievably strong work by the NBFD crew.

10/02/2022

Rochester chief saved through program he implemented

Wednesday evening was a great night for the Rochester Fire Department with many milestones celebrated but none more important than honoring the first responders who were involved in the saving our Fire Chief’s life with RFD Lifesaver Awards. We will have more photos and a complete evening recap within the couple of days. Until then, please enjoy this great story by the Sippican weekly.

ROCHESTER – When people call 911 in an emergency, they often have to rely on heroic strangers to come to their aid. But when Rochester Fire Chief Scott Weigel suffered a severe cardiac incident in his home, he didn’t call on strangers. He called on...

09/25/2022

The Rochester Fire Department and the Rochester Firefighters Association held a Community CPR class this past Wednesday which was well attended. Attendees learned CPR and the use of an AED along with learning what to do in case of an emergency. Public Safety officials were on hand to assist with answering questions and to meet and greet the attendees. The RFD and RFA would like to thank the Rochester Police Department, MA for assisting and special thanks to our instructors David Branco and David Zander from New Bedford EMS for putting on a great class.

09/21/2022

The RFD attended the Touch-A-Truck event last Saturday at the Freetown Elementary School to support the Macomber Scholarship Fund. Our crew met with many littles to show and demonstrate the equipment and operations of our Tower Truck. Despite their efforts to educate and captivate these future Fire Service Members….it was Saturday and school was out…. They really just wanted to sit in the big seat and Make-Some-Noise !!!!

09/21/2022

Rochester Fire Department

The RFD will be sponsoring and hosting this evenings Community CPR class at the Rochester Council on Aging starting at 6pm. The class which was previously full, has just had some openings become available. We now have 5 seats for anyone, last minute, wishing to attend. Please contact LT Kevin Richard at 774-285-3158 if you wish to attend. We will take walk-ins to fill these 5 seats.

This page has been created so the Rochester, Massachusetts Fire Department can keep the community informed with Public Safety Information. This page and the information provided will at all times be professional.

09/12/2022

We will Never Forget

09/01/2022

The Rochester Fire Department is proud to announce that the RFD has been awarded a $168,301 Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is a competitive federal grant initiative designed to help municipalities manage the financial burden of delivering fire protection and emergency medical services to their communities.

The grant money will be utilized to replace the departments compliment of aging self contained breathing apparatus units, which are critical to our everyday operation.

Chief Weigel would like to thank Marcia Kessler our grant writer for her tireless efforts in researching, authoring and completing the grant application process.

Researching and applying for grants and specific funding awards is an on-going process and assists in off-setting the costly replacement of critical department infrastructure.

Grants and awards not only benefit the department but also the town and other town departments.

09/01/2022

On Sunday 8/14 at approximately 7am the RFD Fire Chief Scott Weigel suffered a serious cardiac event at his home. His wife immediately realized that he was having a medical emergency and called 911. Call Takers and Disptachers at the Regional Old Colony Communications Center took the call and immediately notified Police and Fire. Dispatchers gave over the phone instructions on how to perform CPR while awaiting emergency personnel. Rochester Police Department, MA and Fire Dept responders arrived within minutes and took over and continued CPR while deploying their AED. The on-duty Paramedic arrived and utilizing the police AED, delivered the first initial shock. Additional paramedics and EMTs arrived and provided Advanced Cardiac Life Support interventions. Deployed the Lucas device , which is a battery operated mechanical CPR assist device and also delivered cardiac medications. A mutual aid ambulance from the Freetown Fire Department was requested to assist the RFD. During transport to the hospital additional Advanced Cardiac Life Support interventions were performed. Additional shocks were administered using the Lifepak-15 cardiac monitor and at approximately 6 minutes into their transport, a return of spontaneous breathing (ROSC) was achieved. The Chief had a pulse and was making attempts to breath on his own when they arrived at Tobey Hospital. Tobey Hospital Doctors and staff worked to stabilize the Chief. Once he was stable He was transferred to Charlton Hospital where he received additional advanced cardiac care. Overnight and into the following day, on 8/15, the Chief made remarkable progress. On 8/16 he was sitting up speaking with family and had no memory of the event. On 8/18 Chief was discharged and given a Firefighters es**rt home, a mere 4 days after suffering from a
critical cardiac event. The Chief is beyond thankful to all those who contributed to his successful outcome.
He has clearly defied the odds, statistically, he is in the lowest percentile of survival for patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest, 1%.
There are many factors that contributed to this successful outcome and his return of spontaneous circulation. The immediate call to 911 and emergency medical instructions over the phone, Early CPR, early AED deployment, followed by advanced cardiac life support from paramedics, the administration of cardiac medications, proper airway management, the application of the Lucas device, continued cardiac monitoring and subsequent shocks delivered with the Lifepak-15 when necessary.
This is a 100% complete success story. The Chief is living proof that this CPR protocol model works, that early 911 and EMD, early CPR/AED/ACLS and the tools we have been given, the Lucas Device, AED’s, Lifepak-15 Cardiac Monitor and most importantly our trained and dedicated personnel from our Police Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics, EMT’s and Dispatchers all collectively and cohesively contributed to this successful outcome.
The RFD’s Advanced Life Support system is a program that Chief Weigel fought to bring to town with the help from Southcoast Hospitals Group. It is a program that he continues to develop, upgrade equipment and hire trained EMTs and Paramedics who can carry out the mission of providing the highest level of advanced life support possible. It is this system of advanced life support which contributed to his successful outcome and the one which he has reaped the greatest benefit from. Here are some pictures taken 8/18 upon his discharge from the hospital and his return home. Welcome home Chief.