Tewksbury Fire Department

08/10/2026

Outstanding job by the crews early this morning as they responded to an apartment fire at 1775 Andover Street.
The quick and decisive actions of Car 3, Engine 3, Engine 1, and A-1 helped limit the damage and, just as importantly, provided immediate medical care to the resident who was located inside the apartment.
Thank you to the crews for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to taking care of both the emergency and the resident. I also want to recognize the Lowell General Hospital paramedics and the staff at Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center for their assistance
Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647

Press release:

Sprinkler contains Tewksbury apartment fire; occupant rescued, flown to Boston hospital

TEWKSBURY — A sprinkler system helped contain an apartment fire Monday morning at 1775 Andover St., while firefighters rescued a male occupant who was later flown to a Boston-area hospital for further treatment, according to the Tewksbury Fire Department.

Firefighters responding to the building found moderate smoke conditions inside the apartment where the fire originated. A single sprinkler head had activated and contained the fire to the area of origin, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the apartment.

Firefighters from Engine 3 located the occupant inside the apartment and removed him out of the building. He was transported by Tewksbury Fire ambulance (A-1) and LGH Paramedics to Lowell General Hospital and was later transported by Med Flight to a Boston area hospital for further treatment.

The fire was quickly brought under control, and firefighters remained at the scene to check the apartment and surrounding areas and to investigate the cause of the fire.

Tewksbury Fire Chief Joe Kearns said the incident demonstrates the importance of functioning sprinkler systems.

“The sprinkler system did exactly what it was designed to do,” Kearns said. “The activation of that single sprinkler head contained the fire to the area of origin and prevented it from spreading, giving our firefighters additional time to locate and assist the occupant.”

Kearns also credited the firefighters, EMTs and dispatchers who responded to the incident.

“This was a great example of everyone working together — from the dispatchers at Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center (NMRECC) to our firefighters and EMS personnel on scene,” Kearns said. “Their quick actions helped bring the fire under control and get the occupant the medical attention he needed.”

The Tewksbury Fire Department reminds residents that working smoke alarms and properly maintained automatic sprinkler systems can save lives and significantly reduce the spread of fire.

Residents are also reminded that when a fire alarm sounds, they should evacuate the building immediately if it is safe to do so and should never delay evacuation to retrieve personal belongings.

07/28/2026

Great job by Captain Carney. He recognized a very serious and dangerous situation and immediately took action to ensure the safety of the many people aboard the boat that caught fire.

This is yet another example of the extraordinary men and women of the Tewksbury Fire Department who consistently put the safety of others ahead of their own, whether they are on duty or off duty. Their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to serving others are what make this department exceptional. Chief Kearns Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647

A Massachusetts fire captain was in the right place at the right time Saturday, jumping into action when he smelled smoke as The Dive began burning. LINK IN COMMENTS ⬇️

07/11/2026

Yesterday marked Deputy Chief Paul Guttadauro's final day with the Tewksbury Fire Department. It was truly impressive to see the number of current and former members, family, friends, and colleagues who stopped by the station to wish Paul all the best as he begins his retirement. The turnout was a testament to the respect and admiration he has earned throughout his career.

Paul began his career with the Tewksbury Fire Department in 1994. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2004, became the Department's Training Officer in 2021, and was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2022. Throughout his career, Paul has been an invaluable source of knowledge. He was always willing to share his experience, mentor others, and lend a helping hand whenever it was needed. He also dedicated many years to serving in the union, working to improve the safety and well-being of the members of this department.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Paul for his friendship, professionalism, and partnership over the years. As Deputy Chief, he provided tremendous support to me and to every member of this department. His leadership, dedication, and commitment to the Town of Tewksbury and the Tewksbury Fire Department have left a lasting impact that will be felt for many years to come.

Paul, on behalf of the entire Tewksbury Fire Department, thank you for your 32+ years of dedicated service. We wish you and your family a long, happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement. Congratulations, and best of luck in this next chapter. Chief Kearns
Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647

06/15/2026

Yesterday, the Lowell Fire Department hosted its annual Firefighters Memorial Sunday. This event provides an opportunity for us to honor the firefighters who came before us and helped pave the way for future generations of firefighters through their dedication, sacrifice, and service.
We are grateful to the Lowell Fire Department for including the Tewksbury Fire Department in this meaningful ceremony and providing us the opportunity to remember the members of our department who passed away during the past year.
This year, we honored the memory of:
• Chief James Morris
• Captain Donald Greer
• Lieutenant Richard Gath
• Firefighter Daniel Donovan
Their commitment to our department, our profession, and the community they served will never be forgotten. We remain thankful for their service and the lasting impact they made on the Tewksbury Fire Department and those who had the privilege of serving alongside them.
Please continue to keep their families, friends, and former colleagues in your thoughts as we remember and honor their legacy. Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647
Photos courtesy of Debbie Guttadauro

06/08/2026

Thank you for all of the hardwork and professionalism. Great Job!!

On Friday, June 5, NMRECC experienced an unusually busy day, with a total of 392 calls presented to the center.

That included:
- 298 business line calls
- 94 incoming 911 calls
- 93 of those 911 calls were answered
- 1 911 call was abandoned (hung up prior to answering)

For perspective, the 298 business line calls were 151.9 calls above our average Friday from January through May, and 22 calls higher than the previous busiest Friday in that same comparison period. On the 911 side, the 94 calls presented were 47 calls above the January through May Friday average, making it about 2 times a typical Friday for 911 call volume.

What makes days like this especially challenging is not just the number of calls, but the kinds of incidents dispatchers may be handling all at once — from house fires and serious medical emergencies to mental health crises, motor vehicle crashes, and other urgent calls for help.

No matter the pace or the type of emergency, our dispatchers remained calm, focused, and ready to respond. Behind every ringing phone is a team working hard to provide help, direction, and support when it matters most.

Thank you to our dispatch staff for your professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to serving Dracut and Tewksbury every single day.



Dracut Police Department Dracut Firefighters, IAFF Local 2586
Tewksbury Police Department - MA Tewksbury Fire Department Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647

05/26/2026

Today we remember the brave men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives defending our freedom. Once again, the members of the Tewksbury Fire Department demonstrated their deep commitment to our community and their unwavering dedication to the Town of Tewksbury. It was truly a privilege to march alongside more than half the department, all of whom volunteered to come in today to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Chief Kearns Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647 Town of Tewksbury

05/24/2026

The thoughts and prayers of the entire Tewksbury Fire Department are with the Kilduff family and the members of the Boston Fire Department.RIP-BK

Robert “BK" Kilduff, Jr. exemplified what it meant to be a union firefighter. BK was passionate about his profession, assigned to Rescue Company 2, and passionate about improving the lives of his fellow brothers and sisters, working as a staff member of the PFFM for the last 15 years.

More than anything else, BK was passionate about being a father. The PFFM sends all of our love and support to both of his children and will stand with Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF to ensure they have whatever they need.

Rest easy BK.

05/07/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Massachusetts State Police and the family of Trooper Trainor.

The Massachusetts State Police announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Kevin Trainor, 30, who was senselessly killed this morning by a wrong-way driver.

At the conclusion of his public safety detail shortly before 2 a.m., Trooper Trainor began his commute home. Minutes later, 911 received a call reporting a wrong-way driver traveling South on Route 1 North in Lynnfield. Several dedicated Troopers converged on the area and located the vehicle traveling the wrong way at 2:03 a.m. One minute later, at 2:04 a.m., the vehicle collided with Trooper Trainor’s cruiser.

While nothing will ever repair the pain we feel today, we make a solemn promise to never forget Trooper Trainor and his service to the Commonwealth. Kevin served as a Corrections Officer in Essex County before joining the State Police as a member of the 88th Recruit Training Troop. In his decorated career, he mentored new Troopers as a Field Training Officer or “Trooper Coach,” earned a place on the prestigious Troop Community Action Team, set the standard for professionalism, and patrolled our roads with a singular focus: keeping the people of this Commonwealth safe.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Trooper Trainor’s classmates have shared stories of his genuine care and concern for others. As one person put it, “he was the guy you wanted as your backup.”

Colonel Noble said in his remarks this afternoon, “Make no mistake: Trooper Trainor saved lives this morning. His courage – his commitment to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth and put his life on the line – prevented an even greater tragedy. He will be remembered as a hero.”

We deeply appreciate the outpouring of support from our Governor, the Secretary of Public Safety, and friends in Massachusetts and across the country. We will remember and honor this extraordinary man, son, fiancée, and friend who gave his life for others.

05/06/2026

It’s been an extremely busy few days for our department. Engine companies responded mutual aid to Wilmington on May 4 and Lowell on May 5 to assist at their structure fires. Over the past two days, crews have also handled six fully involved vehicle fires, along with numerous medical emergencies.

Once again, this highlights the outstanding dedication of our firefighters, who continue to handle every situation presented to them quickly and professionally. Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647

05/06/2026

Great job yesterday by the crew working yesterday on Engine 1 (using back up engine 4), they responded mutual aid to assist in the city of Lowell. Went directly to the fire and were the second arriving engine company. Very difficult weather conditions with high winds. Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647