(not at all sure what they are really staffing these days - seems they have 3 stations open - maybe with 1 als engine north - and 1 amb and 1 engine central - and then maybe 1 engine south - but they only have around 30 staff to cover 4 shifts - zerg90)
The Acton Fire Department, like many departments of its size, has traditionally served as a stepping stone for personnel seeking positions in larger city departments. In FY25, we experienced eight resignations but successfully recruited and hired nine new members*. An additional four members were hired in the first part of FY26, and we anticipate reaching full staffing levels before FY27. Recruiting paramedics has been particularly challenging not only locally but nationwide. To attract and retain quality paramedics, Acton Fire is exploring operational innovations such as paramedic engines and a paramedic fly car. As we move toward full staffing, we anticipate running two engines staffed with three personnel each, enhancing member safety, operational efficiency, and morale, while also supporting training, recruitment and retention. Emergency Medical Services The Department is approaching its eighth year of providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport services. Our ambulance fleet includes three units: one staffed at the ALS level 24/7, a second ALS or BLS ambulance cross-staffed with an engine crew, and a third reserved for special events or as a backup. A paramedic “fly car” model has also been explored to improve response times and expand ALS coverage. In late 2025, Engine 24 at Station 4, which served our largest district, was upgraded with a paramedic and advanced life support equipment. While fire engines have traditionally provided Basic Life Support (BLS) care, Engine 24 now delivers the same level of care as an ALS ambulance, including 12-lead cardiac monitoring, IV therapy, advanced airway management, and an expanded medication list. This allows advanced care to begin immediately when the engine arrives first and adds flexibility during high call volumes or mutual aid responses. Statewide protocol updates and new ventilators from state surplus have expanded the range of medications and capabilities available to ALS and BLS personnel, improving patient care. Our Hospital Medical Director, Dr. Ryan Kring of Emerson Hospital, supports training and quality improvement, including High Acuity/Low Occurrence (HALO) exercises to maintain skills for rare but critical emergencies. Recruitment and retention of paramedics remain a challenge. The Department addresses this by hiring EMTs and supporting their advancement through paramedic training programs. Despite these advancements, rising operational costs and unfunded mandates from the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) continue to place pressure on resources. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "massfire" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/massfire/CAFXWwKYs3FU-r9pN70DN%3DCXP-_ZOZMmbYJnyBhMDSv1nWY6-xA%40mail.gmail.com.
