Tyngsborough Professional Fire Fighters

05/20/2026

We are disappointed to announce that the proposal for a new fire headquarters was voted down by yesterday’s town ballot. The final tally was 980-1106.

We understand that financially things are difficultly for everyone, but the need for a new station was about the health and safety of our firefighters. This threat will continue to remain until significant changes are made. Members of the TFD have still shown up today, and will continue to work every single day of the year, in a station that poses significant risks to its members and the town. We hope that this concern stays on the mind of all Tyngsborough residents moving forward.

Despite the results, we would like to thank the tireless effort of all those involved to get us to this point. Thank you to the Select Board for hearing out our initial pleas and ultimately championing the project. Thank you to the Fire Station Building Committee for their hard work week in and week out. And thank you to every resident in town that came to the meetings, put up signs, supported us on social media, and voted to help this dire situation.

Through this all, Tyngsborough Fire Department is committed to serving our community and will continue its unwavering mission of protecting life safety and property conservation. Whether or not the town supports us, we will continue to support the town.

05/06/2026

THANK YOU TYNGSBOROUGH RESIDENTS!

Last night at Town Meeting, Article 22 seeking to fund the construction of a new Fire Headquarters passed the required 2/3rds majority vote by a margin of 277-46. Next it must pass by simple majority on the ballot May 19th.

We are very grateful for the overwhelming support shown last night and ask for this to continue at the polls. TFD is proud to serve a community that cares deeply about the health and safety of their firefighters.

05/04/2026

Firefighters have a risky job keeping town residents safe, but in Tyngsboro they face an element of risk other firefighters do not. They work, and sometimes sleep, in an unsafe building.

04/21/2026

Town Meeting will be asked to consider Article 22 - funding for the final design & construction of a new Fire Department Headquarters. Ahead of that vote, the Committee has prepared a list of frequently asked questions to ensure the voters have the information they need to make an informed decision.

While the total cost including final design is $24.8M, many are asking how the estimated construction cost compares to other projects? Check out a summary of that question below or click the link for the full FAQ.

& Join the Fire Station Building Committee tomorrow at 5pm for their next public information session!

🔗https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QYWzd_XLIn2vzvWkxwnqIQ-eBb9PGMmQdod8OhvrxO4/edit?usp=sharing

04/13/2026

The Fire Station Building Committee has issued a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document ahead of Town Meeting's consideration of the project at Town Meeting on May 5th.

Find that & more information at the link below. ⬇️

🔗https://www.tyngsboroughma.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/320

04/10/2026

In case you missed it: Chief Russell sat down to discuss the need for a new Fire Headquarters for the Town of Tyngsborough. Here’s what was covered:

The Critical Need for a New Station
• Operational Limitations: The current station is approximately 5,000 square feet, while architectural analysis suggests a department of this size requires a 20,000 square foot facility.

• Health and Safety: The current building lacks separation between operational, administrative, and living spaces. This increases firefighter exposure to carcinogens and hazardous materials.

• Code and Compliance: The existing structure does not meet modern ADA, OSHA, or current building codes for critical infrastructure (Risk Category 4).

• Equipment Exposure: Due to lack of space, expensive fire apparatus must be stored outside, exposing them to the elements.

• Historical Context: The current station was built in 1959 by the firefighters themselves using donated funds and labor; it was never a town-built project intended for long-term municipal use.

Project Costs and Logistics
• Total Projected Cost: The project is estimated at $24 million. This includes $22 million for construction and $2 million for design and management.

• "Hard" vs. "Soft" Costs: Hard costs cover the structure, site work, and mechanical components. Soft costs include furnishings, gear lockers, and appliances. Essentially everything that would "fall out" if you flipped the building over.

Design and Long-Term Vision
• Efficiency: After debating a two-story design, the committee settled on a one-story layout that avoids the costs of elevators and stairs while remaining operationally efficient.

• 50-Year Plan: The project is designed to serve the town's growth for the next 50 years rather than being a short-term "patch".

The Voting Process
• Two-Step Approval: Voters must approve the project at the Town Meeting on May 5th (requiring a 2/3 majority) and then at the ballot on May 19th (requiring a simple majority).

• Transparency: The Chief emphasized that the fire station building committee has prioritized communication and encourages the community to attend their weekly meetings.

For more information, residents are encouraged to visit the town website or contact the Fire Chief directly for a tour of the current facility.

03/27/2026

Public Safety & Planning for the Future

At our annual town meeting on May 5 in Tyngsborough, an article will be presented regarding moving forward with a new fire station.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken the time to tour our current fire station and meet with Fire Chief Wes Russell, along with several members of our fire department. After seeing the conditions firsthand and hearing directly from those who serve our community, I am in support of moving forward with a new station.

Our current station is over 60 years old, and while it has served the town well, it is now too small and no longer adequately meets the needs of our firefighters or our growing community.

This is not just about a building — it’s about ensuring our firefighters have the space, safety, and resources they need to do their jobs effectively and safely.

I also want to share a recent update from a neighboring community, Billerica, which highlights the challenges that can arise when these types of investments are delayed. Their experience is a reminder of the importance of planning ahead and addressing infrastructure needs proactively.

https://www.facebook.com/61556633194549/posts/important-community-update-north-billerica-fire-stationas-a-member-of-your-selec/122302892336221106/

Planning for the future isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. Supporting our public safety professionals and making thoughtful, timely investments is part of ensuring our town continues to be a safe and well-managed community.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

02/18/2026

01/18/2026

We work 24 hour shifts at Tyngsborough Fire Department. That means we sleep at the station, ready to respond when the town needs us.

Here you can see a view from one of our bunk rooms. The engine bay is just one door away from where sleep. Diesel exhaust fumes and other carcinogens from our work seep in to our living quarters every day.

Proper station design has separation between these “hot zones” and living quarters. This is a large reason behind our need for a new station, the health of our firefighters is at risk.

To learn more about our efforts, please visit the town’s website https://www.tyngsboroughma.gov/606/Fire-Station-Building-Committee

01/11/2026

Photo of today’s CPR recertification class in our station’s training room. If this room actually looks like a kitchen, that’s because it is…

Our station, built over 60 years ago, was originally only intended for on-call/volunteer use. Over the years, the town has grown and so has the fire department. While we have periodically added additions to the station, through our own funds, the space has reached its limits for our current needs.

This photo outlines one example of this problem. Here you can see some of our firefighters training in a room that also doubles as our kitchen, public entrance, and office space for writing reports. Only about 1/3 of the department is pictured, as the space does not allow for more.

There are countless other health, safety, and spacial issues influencing our need for a new fire station. If you have further questions, we have upcoming information sessions. Please visit the town link below:

https://www.tyngsboroughma.gov/606/Fire-Station-Building-Committee