Norton Fire Department

The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for not only code compliance relative to fire safety, but also for overseeing the SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) program within the Town. The division has been extremely busy this year working with the interim Building Inspector Bryan Butler, assisting him in getting up to speed on the various inspections mandated by law. The division conducts quarterly inspections of all schools, nursing facilities, DMH/DMR facilities, as well as licensed day cares. The division also conducts an annual inspection at any licensed facility within the town, such as auto body shops and food/liquor license facilities. These inspections in addition to all the numerous new construction projects and renovations underway in Norton involve many hours of review and meetings with contractors, as well as onsite visits and inspections..

This past year the second phase of the new “Nicole’s Law” took effect, mandating carbon monoxide detectors in hotels/motels and institutional facilities. For those who may not be familiar with the newly passed “Nicole’s Law”, it is a law mandating the installation on carbon monoxide (CO) detectors within every single and multiple family dwelling within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on or before March 31st 2006. These shall be located on every habitable level of the dwelling unit and not more than 10 feet from any bedroom doors. These units can be battery powered or plug-in/electric with battery back up. If a combination smoke detector/CO detector unit is utilized, the CO function must be called out by a voice, not a tone. The fire department is required to inspect the placement and operation of these detectors as well as your smoke detectors on the sale or transfer of the property..

In addition to these projects, there are numerous other types of inspection that are made on a routine basis as required by the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 148 and 527 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fire Regulations. The types and amount of inspections is listed below. Not included in these numbers are the numerous in-service inspections made by the firefighters to perform pre-fire planning/familiarization with building hazards within the Town.

Residential fire alarm and sprinkler systems in new dwellings 96
Residential fire alarm in existing dwellings 211
Commercial fire alarm, sprinkler systems, and license renewals 343
Oil burners, tanks installed or removed 30
Blasting 2
Propane 45
Carbon Monoxide detectors 124
Inspections resulting from complaints of violations 10
TOTAL INSPECTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 861

The overall inspections are down slightly this year due to the drop off in new home construction and existing home sales being down. State law mandates that all public and private schools conduct quarterly fire drills. The on duty firefighters go out and conduct these drills at these regulated facilities. In addition, fire drills are performed twice a year by the fire department at the Wheaton College dormitories, to ensure the students are familiar with the escape routes and gathering locations associated with their respective dorms.

Call Firefighter Lorraine Blake had another very busy year coordinating the SAFE Program (Students Awareness Of Fire Education) within our public and private schools and various civic organizations. She has continued to produce a high caliber program of which the department is truly grateful. At the completion of the fiscal year (June 30, 2007) Lorraine submitted her resignation to pursue other challenges. We wish her well and thank her for her dedicated work over the past couple of years. Firefighter James Pietersen was appointed the new SAFE coordinator to replace her.

In addition to installing and maintaining these new CO detectors. I want to remind everyone to check your smoke detectors twice a year when you change your clocks. You should also formulate and practice an escape plan and set up a meeting place with your family members so in the event of a fire or an emergency, you will know that everyone has gotten out safely. If you have any questions relative to the placement of either your smoke detection or carbon monoxide detection, or any other fire prevention matter, feel free to contact my office at 508-285-0246 or e-mail me at schleicherp@nortonfire.com.

In closing, I would like to thank the men and women of the Norton Fire/Rescue Department for their continued and conscientious dedication to, and help, during this past year.

FIRE ALARM DIVISION

Deputy Chief Paul J. Schleicher, Superintendent
Firefighter Edward L. Burgess, Assistant Superintendent
Firefighter Todd J. Jones, Technician
Firefighter Robert M. Wood, Technician

Like many of Norton Fire Department’s specialties, the Fire Alarm Division is what we call a collateral duty. This means it is staffed by full-time firefighting personnel, who can be called upon when necessary, to perform their special job. In this case, the special job is the planning, installation and maintenance of the fire alarm system. Previously staffed by 3 technicians, building growth, utility company upgrades and new system technology has warranted the addition of a fourth technician. With over 500 alarm boxes and 40+ miles of electrical cabling, the advent of “smart systems” and training to keep abreast of code changes, this small crew is constantly busy.

Our system is based on the original technology developed by Mr. Morse and Mr. Gamewell. Although the ideas are over 100 years old, many modern and innovative design changes have taken place. The most important change, being the invention of “digital” boxes and addressable panels with smart devices. Digital boxes send in the individual “zone” or location within a building directly to the communications center. Smart devices tell the panel exactly where the problem is in the building. Coupled together, device to panel to digital box, responding fire fighters gain some insight as to what and where the problem is, while enroute. Thus, we reduce our time searching for the problem and any excessive damage that may occur to the property. All new commercial buildings are required to install these new type boxes.

Businesses are not the only recipients of the town’s fire alarm protection. All housing developments in town have at least one fire alarm box at the entrance. However, most of them also have boxes strategically installed throughout the neighborhood. This is due to the fact that developers are required to install fire alarm boxes at the entrance to, and within, any proposed sub-division. This helps us expand in the areas affected by growth at no cost to the fire department. Construction continues on the new “over age 55” subdivision at Red Mill Village off East Main Street, while ground breaking begins on a new project called Arrowhead Road off of North Washington Street.

Remember, Fire Alarm boxes are not solely for the purpose of reporting a fire. They can be utilized to summons help in any emergency. This is especially important to remember if your telephone should become inoperable (i.e.; Severe Storms, Accidents, Phone system overload, Etc.) If you see an emergency, don’t “assume” that help is on the way, utilize the Boxes! We in the Fire Alarm Division would like to remind you to STAY CLEAR OF ANY DOWNED WIRES. We consider them LIVE and ENERGIZED and you should too!!!