Message from the Chief

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

As Fire Chief of the Town of Athol Fire Department, I have the opportunity to serve the citizens and businesses in the Town of Athol, and the absolute honor of leading a highly motivated, professional, and progressive group of firefighters.

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The Athol Fire Department has had a steadily increasing call volume which in the past eight years has increased over 62%. Even with the substantial increase in call volume, the Athol Fire Department strives to provide the best care to the community we serve. The Athol Fire Department is a highly motivated and proactive fire department that progresses day to day. Our department is a combination fire department, fully manned 24/7, 365 days a year by a dedicated group of Firefighter EMT-B’s and EMT-P’s. All our full-time members have completed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Career Recruit academy and all the Call members have completed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Call/Vol Recruit academy or equivalent. The Athol Fire Department is ready to respond with a vast cadre of vehicles and equipment including Fire Pumpers, Ladder Truck, Special Operations Unit, Advanced Life Support Ambulances, ATV’s, UTV’s, Boats, and Brush Trucks.

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The Athol Fire Department offers a wide range of comprehensive fire and emergency services including but not limited to, Fire Suppression, Advanced Life Support, Hazardous Materials Incident, Ice Water Rescue Technician, Swift Water Rescue, Wild Land Fire and Search, Large Animal Rescue, Fire Investigation, as well as Fire Prevention Training and Education to a very diversly populated community.

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The Athol Fire Department is a member of Fire District 8, State Hazmat District 6, OEMS District 2, and MEMA District 4. Athol Fire is utilized as a Mutual Aid and Automatic Aid for many local fire departments in Central Massachusetts.

Respectfully,

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Chief Joseph Guarnera, M.Ed., CFO, EMT-IC     

Chief of Department

Athol Fire