Master Plan Review

The Professional Fire Fighters of Chelmsford Local 1839 in review of the 
current Town of Chelmsford Master Plan find enough evidence to show that the Master Plan is being neglected in regards to the everyday operations and mission of the Chelmsford Fire Department when the town closes two fire stations.  The Master Plan was created as a guide for the town to follow 
during foreseeable future.  With the closing of two fire stations the town is in contradiction with the information that it brings forward under the Master Plan.

Under Part II, Public Facilities Recommendations, in Section 6 of the current Town of Chelmsford Master Plan, Chelmsford’s fire fighting capacities are compared to national standards set forth by the American Insurance Association (AIA).  Water supply, required fire flow for fire fighting, and distribution of fire companies are the two basic criteria which govern the adequacy of fire protection services.  A town the size of Chelmsford with a population of approximately 33,000 should have an average fire flow capacity 
of 5,500 gallons per minute (gpm) for a duration of 10 hours.  During normal operations the Chelmsford Fire Department’s fire flow capacity is 5,750 gpm 
for a duration of 10 hours.  With two stations closed during the duration of a 10-hour day shift this figure drops to 3,750 gpm.  This figure is 1,750 gpm 
below the national standard stated, leaving the Chelmsford Fire Department inadequate for providing fire protection services to the town in accordance 
with the Master Plan.

The Master Plan states that the criterion for a fire department such as Chelmsford’s is the number of fire companies and their distribution, as well as the ability of the fire department to handle two simultaneous fires of moderate intensity.  It further states that a community of 30,000 population, approximately the size of Chelmsford, should have 4 pumpers and 2 truck companies (ladders).  During station closings these goals are unattainable.  The standard requires 6 pieces of fire fighting apparatus.  During station closings the Chelmsford Fire Department is operating with only 4 pieces of fire fighting apparatus, making it again inadequate for providing fire protection service to the town in accordance with the Master Plan. 

The Master Plan states that according to the AIA, the recommended 
standards for the distribution of companies are based upon response 
distances, the density, and fire-hazard characteristics of the buildings to be protected, and required fire flow. According to the Master Plan, by these measures or criteria, “the Center Fire Station together with 4 substations are well distributed in the town center and the 4 quadrants of the town to provide adequate territorial coverage and sufficient response times to emergency calls”.

Clearly the closing of these stations is in contradiction of the Master Plan 
and puts our community at risk.   The contents of the Master Plan are further evidence that Chelmsford needs to keep its fire stations opened and manned and fully staffed. We urge the local government to adhere to the Plan, 
continue to compare Chelmsford Fire Department with the national standards
in the Master Plan, and look to other national standards that increase public safety for the residents of Chelmsford.


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         Increased Risk To Residents