Village of Massena Permanent Firefighters IAFF Local 2220

On this date in 1916, the Village of Massena hired their first paid firefighter. William Brainard was selected from a pool of candidates to become the first career firefighter and driver at the department. The department itself had been officially formed and incorporated in 1900 as an all volunteer force, but with the purchase of the department’s first motorized fire apparatus the Village decided to hire a paid firefighter to operate the new apparatus. We are happy to have been serving the Massena community for the past 105 years and look forward to another 105!

On this date in 1987, the Massena Fire Department suffered its first and only Line of Duty Death to date. Today, we take the time to remember career firefighter Samuel Carbone Sr. and his commitment to family, community and the fire department. May he continue to rest in piece.

With the summer season nearly upon us, it is a good idea to review safety tips with your family. The warm summer weather brings back many of our favorite activities. Swimming in our pools and rivers is one of the most popular. However, water can be hazardous - especially for young children. Stress the importance of water safety with your children and always remain vigilant as a guardian.

Earlier this afternoon, at 1428 hours, your Massena Fire Department was dispatched under mutual aid to the Norfolk Fire District for a reported structure fire with explosions off of Hough Road in the Town of Norfolk. Within minutes, your career and volunteer firefighters arrived on scene to find a well involved fire. Crews immediately went to work assisting with fire suppression and overhaul. Massena FD operated for several hours with Engine 31, Engine-Tanker 4 and Rescue 77 before returning to service.

This Memorial Day, we wish to honor and thank all those who gave their lives for the freedoms which we enjoy today. Without our service members, we would not be the great nation which we are today.

Happy Mother’s Day to every mother out there! Especially to the ones who fight fire and raised their own firefighters!

Early this morning, at 0216 hours, your Massena Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire off of Clary Street in the Village. Within minutes, your career and volunteer firefighters arrived on scene to find a small accessory structure well involved with flames impinging on nearby structures. Crews immediately went to work extinguishing the fire and were able to keep damage to the building of origin. Massena operated with Engine 31 and Engine 28 for nearly two hours before returning to service.

International Firefighters Day began in 1999 with the deaths of 5 Australian firefighters who gave their lives fighting a massive brush fire. In an effort to honor their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of so many other firefighters, countries around the world began to designate May 4th as International Firefighters Day. This IFD, we would like to thank both our own career membership and our brothers of the Massena Volunteer Fire Department for everything they do to protect the... community. Massena is in great hands with our dedicated paid and volunteer professionals.

With warmer weather on the way, please take the time to make sure outdoor activities are safe for you, your family and friends. Grills should be 6+ feet away from any structures and should always be watched, especially when children and pets are around. Also, it is smart to have an emergency method of extinguishment around such as a hose or fire extinguisher. Gas grills should also have the gas line turned off to prevent leaking propane if the burners have been sprayed out in an emergency.

Below is a video from a NIST study regarding watered and dry Christmas trees when flame and/or heat is introduced. As the study shows, the time it takes a dry tree to combust is much faster than a properly cared for and watered tree. A dry tree, coupled with most modern household products which are petroleum based, can cause a fire to grow and spread exponentially.

Today marks the 79th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. We would like to take a moment to remember all those who lost their lives that day.

Dry Christmas trees are a huge fire hazard. Please, if you and your family has a live tree in your home this year, be sure to keep the tree watered and away from any heat sources. It is also a smart idea to turn tree lights off when leaving the home or heading to bed for the evening.

As we decorate for Christmas it is important to remember to place your tree away from heat sources, use battery operated candles, extinguish all flames and unplug all lights before heading to bed or leaving the home.

Colder months bring about more electrical fires in our area. Why? With the onset of cool temperatures and a string of holidays, residents begin to use space heaters and decorate homes with holiday lights.... Follow some of these tips below to ensure a warm, safe and happy winter season.