Contact Regarding:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPT:

ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT...

Captain Mike Spanknebel
Phone: (413) 584-0874 (ext. 23)
E-mail: hadleyfire@charterinternet.com


WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR FOLLOWING OFFICERS FOR THEIR DEVOTION TO THE SERVICE...

Officers:

Chief: James Kicza
Assistant Chief: Edward Dudkiewicz
Deputy Chief: George Moriarty
Captain: Michael Spanknebel
Captain: David Czerwinski
Lieutenant: Michael Bielunis
Lieutenant: J.J. Nuttelman
Lieutenant: Tony Lastowski
Lieutenant: Stanley Sadlowski
Lieutenant: Rich Bladja
Lieutenant: Frank Bladja

Office Hours:

Meetings:

General Information:
DO YOU KNOW WHEN AND WHAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BURN?

SAFETY TIPS FOR OPEN BURNING SEASON!
OPEN BURNING SEASON STARTS JANUARY 15 AND ENDS MAY 1

NOTICE

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY...
- There will be no agricultural burn permits issued unless the following requirements have been met;

• A permit application must be submitted to the Fire Chief twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date of burn with permit fee.
• The permit must clearly state the agricultural need for this permit and what is to be burned.
• The fire department shall conduct an inspection of the area and items to be burned.

- Approval of the permit will be based on the agricultural need, inspection report, expected weather and Fire Danger Class for the particular day. The Fire Chief or designee will contact the applicant as soon as the permit has been approved or rejected.

- All requirements are in order to comply with the Open Burning Regulations of the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (310 CMR) as well as MGL Chapter 111, section 142 A-E and the Massachusetts Clean Air Act.

- The Fire Department may revoke or cancel a burn permit due to an unexpected weather change, if the burn is deemed a nuisance or if the conditions of the permit are not met.

HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
- Open burning season is from January 15 to May 1 each year in communities where it is allowed. Check with your local fire warden or fire chief.

PERMIT REQUIRED FROM LOCAL FIRE CHIEF
- A permit must be obtained from the local fire warden, usually the local fire chief.
- Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in the spring, and fire wardens will determine on a daily basis when it is safe to conduct open burning. If winds kick up or other atmospheric conditions change suddenly, making it unsafe to burn, permits can be rescinded.
- The open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings and must be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and must take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned, according to Department of Environmental Protection regulations (310
CMR DEP 7.07).

BURNING, WITH A PERMIT FOR THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS IS ALLOWED:

• Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial
land clearing operations.
• Materials normally associated with the pursuit of agriculture such as fruit tree
prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes, and infected
bee hives for disease control.
• Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing.
• Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available.

BURNING OF THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS IS PROHIBITED STATEWIDE:

• Brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing
operations.
• Grass, hay, leaves and stumps, and tires.
• Construction material and debris.

HOW TO SAFELY IGNITE THE FIRE
- An adult should always be present during open burning and children and pets should be kept a safe distance away.
- Use paper and kindling to start the fire and add progressively larger pieces of wood. Parts of a leftover Christmas tree may also be used.

OPEN BURNING SAFETY TIPS

- Never use gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable liquid to start a fire because the risk of personal injury is high.
- Burn one small pile at a time and slowly add to it. This will help keep the fire from getting out of control.
- Select a location away from any utility lines!

FIRE MUST BE ATTENDED UNTIL EXTINGUISHED
- While the fire is burning, an adult must attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.

HAVE FIRE CONTROL TOOLS ON HAND
- Have fire extinguishment materials on hand including a water supply, shovels and rakes.
- The water supply could be a pressurized water fire extinguisher, a pump can or garden hose, and be sure to test it out before igniting the fire. You do not want to find out that the water is still shut-off at the house faucet or that the hose is cracked when you need it most.

WATCH THE WIND: BE PREPARED TO EXTINGUISH ALL OPEN BURNING
- Be prepared to extinguish your fire if the winds pick up or weather changes. Use common sense and don't wait for the fire department to contact you that it has become unsafe to burn.
- Sudden wind change is how most open burning gets out of control.

DON'T DELAY A CALL FOR HELP!
- If for some reason, the fire should get out of control, call the fire department immediately.
- Use the utmost caution to prevent injury to yourself or family members or any damage by fire to your home.
- People conducting illegal burning, or who allow a fire to get out of control, may be held liable for costs of extinguishing the fire, fined and even imprisoned (MGL C48 S13).

APRIL IS THE CRUELEST MONTH
- April is usually the worst month for brush fires. When the snow pack recedes, before new growth emerges, last year's dead grass, leaves and wood are dangerous tinder.
- Winds also tend to be stronger and more unpredictable during April.

PREVENT WILDFIRES BY BURNING DURING WET SNOWY CONDITIONS
- Prevent permit fires from becoming wildland fires by burning early in the season.
- Wet and snowy winter conditions, hinder the rapid spread of fire on or under the ground.
- Weather conditions and increased fire danger may lead to many days when burning cannot be allowed to take place.

ALTERNATIVES TO OPEN BURNING
- Open burning releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, other gases, and solid substances directly into the air, which can contribute to respiratory problems.
- Disposal of natural materials is never as good for the environment as using them again in a different form. Tree limbs, brush and other forestry debris can be chipped or composted into landscaping material.
- Check with your local public works or highway department; many have chippers at their municipal recycling
center or transfer station, and will process debris from homeowners.

More Questions to Consider? Click here to Visit the Mass.gov Webpage about Burning. Here you can find answers to several questions.

Frequently Asked Questions:
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HAVE A FUN, SAFE, AND HAPPY SUMMER!

SUMMER BARBEQUES ARE GREAT FUN, BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE?

BARBECUE SAFETY...
- Use all barbeque grills away from the house in the backyard
- Supervise children and pets when any grill is in use
- NEVER use gasoline on any grill

CHARCOAL GRILLS...
- Use only charcoal lighter fluid to egnite charcoal grills
- Once the coals have been lighted, NEVER add more lighter fluid to the fire - serious injury can occur

CAMPFIRE SAFETY...
- Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves.
- Keep campfires small, and don't let them get out of hand.
- Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you're done. Stir it and douse it again with water.
- NEVER leave campfires unattended!

DO YOU KNOW BURN FIRST AID?
- STOP, DROP, AND ROLL to extinguish a clothing fire
- Cool a burn! For minor burns, run cool water immediately over the burn.
- Seek emergency medical help IMMEDIATELY for more serious burns. Don't delay, if you are not sure get help!
- Make sure to use sunscreen to avoid sunburns

FIREWORKS ARE FUN BUT THEY ARE ILLEGAL!
- The safest way to handle fireworks is NOT TO HANDLE THEM AT ALL!
- Be SMART and stay SAFE!

Forms & Documentation
Please see our Announcements & Notices section for any applicable forms and documentation.

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