Southbridge Fire Group 1

Southbridge Fire Group 1 Southbridge Fire Department Group 1 is comprised of 1 officer and 6 firefighters. This is not an official department page.

The thoughts and opinions expressed are not that of the Department or the Town.

Members of Group 1 were out at Carpenter Pond (Henry street fields) conducting ice rescue training, gaining valuable han...
12/15/2025

Members of Group 1 were out at Carpenter Pond (Henry street fields) conducting ice rescue training, gaining valuable hands-on experience using specialized ice rescue equipment. This type of training is critical to ensuring our members are prepared to respond quickly and safely during cold-weather emergencies.
This training was made possible thanks to the support of off duty members of Group 2, who covered daily operations while Group 1 trained. A special thank you to the Chief for coordinating and supporting this effort—your leadership allows us to train safely while maintaining coverage for our community.

Important Reminder to the Public:
The ice on Carpenter Pond is NOT SAFE. The training area has been clearly coned off, and we ask everyone to stay clear of the site and off the ice entirely.
Thank you to all members involved for their dedication and teamwork, and please stay safe!

This afternoon members of Group 1 worked with FFOP Robbins on being cleared as a motor pump operator on Engine 1. This i...
08/14/2025

This afternoon members of Group 1 worked with FFOP Robbins on being cleared as a motor pump operator on Engine 1. This included several different pump scenarios. We are proud to say FFOP Robbins is now a MPO. FFOP Deso also got several repetitions at line stretching and advancing, helping him master the basics. 

Today Group 1’s senior man, FF Mathieu, took the time to go over pump operations with not only FFOP Deso, but all the me...
08/06/2025

Today Group 1’s senior man, FF Mathieu, took the time to go over pump operations with not only FFOP Deso, but all the members. Steve brings nearly 3 decades of experience to the department and it’s a pleasure to have him share his knowledge and experience with the members of Group 1.

Today’s training involved firefighter RIT skills including mask swap, UAC, and regulator swaps. Members were also able t...
08/01/2025

Today’s training involved firefighter RIT skills including mask swap, UAC, and regulator swaps. Members were also able to go over Forceable entry and metal cutting.

This morning Group 1 welcomed back FFOP Deso, FFOP Deso recently graduated from the mass fire academy. Even tho he gradu...
07/29/2025

This morning Group 1 welcomed back FFOP Deso, FFOP Deso recently graduated from the mass fire academy. Even tho he graduated training never stops. Today he received his initial training on the sterling FCX escape system, this system is carried by all members to aide them in escaping from a upper floor if they become trapped, this was also a opportunity for all members to refresh their skills.

Congratulations to FFOP Deso and FFOP Harold (Group3) on graduating from the Massachusetts Career Recruit Program. This ...
07/25/2025

Congratulations to FFOP Deso and FFOP Harold (Group3) on graduating from the Massachusetts Career Recruit Program. This intense 10 week program is designed to transform new hires into career professional firefighters as they begin their careers in the Fire Service.

In between calls and training today, members of Group 1 (who were staffed at minimum) undertook a house project to repai...
06/14/2025

In between calls and training today, members of Group 1 (who were staffed at minimum) undertook a house project to repaint the lines for Ladder 1 and Engine 1’s bays. Both trucks have literally inches of clearance when exiting or backing into the building, so this upgrade from faded white lines on an old white floor to bright, crisp (and straight!) yellow lines, will help all members avoid damaging apparatus. This project was funded by members of Group 1 themselves. You can’t put a price on saftey; and the cost of pride in your firehouse is free.

Today in between emergency calls, and before and after a structure fire, members of Group 1 were able to practice self-r...
06/03/2025

Today in between emergency calls, and before and after a structure fire, members of Group 1 were able to practice self-rescue procedures utilizing our Sterling self-rescue escape system, ladder bailouts and our high point anchor system. All of these skills are crucial to ensure the best chance of survival if a member becomes trapped during a structure fire. While often operating short-staffed, a working fire can easily get the upper hand on responders, thus making training non-negotiable.



After a busy day of training and answering emergency calls, FF Franklin helps FFOP Robbins with studying the alarm cards...
05/14/2025

After a busy day of training and answering emergency calls, FF Franklin helps FFOP Robbins with studying the alarm cards for the area. While it is a part of all new members probationary firefighter training book, it’s also imperative to understand what resources are coming mutual aide when we need it as it’s just as important to know when we will be going to return the favor. We are lucky to be surrounded by some great firefighters and it’s a pleasure to know they’re coming quickly, properly trained and ready to work.


Today’s training is a simple hauling system used to extricate a person who is down a low sloped embankment. All members ...
05/13/2025

Today’s training is a simple hauling system used to extricate a person who is down a low sloped embankment. All members were able to get hands on and hone their knowledge on rope systems which is a very perishable skill because “if you don’t use it, you lose it” - Andy Stitzer ( 40 year old virgin)

This morning during daily truck checks a passer-by asked why we “put the ladder up everyday?” The anwser is simple, we a...
05/13/2025

This morning during daily truck checks a passer-by asked why we “put the ladder up everyday?” The anwser is simple, we are professional firefighters and our job is to respond to your emergency in a timely manner with fully operational equipment. Every day the engine and truck company check their respective apparatus to ensure they are ready to roll when the bell sounds. This includes checking all fluids, ensuring all equipment is in place and operational, batteries are charged, saws are ran, fueled and ready to work. The ladder will place the stick in the air and ensure it has full reach and swing without any issues. The engine will run its pump to ensure it builds pressure, confirm the prime works, and ensure all gates and valves work smoothly. While we know we could just sit down and ignore our duties, saying, “I’m sure everything was fine yesterday,” or immerse ourselves in our phones or playing video games, this is not what professionals do. Every day, Every group…ready to go at a moments notice!

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24 Elm Street
Southbridge, MA

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