The Harwich Fire Department provides emergency fire and medical services for the residents and visitors of Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We are a thirty six member group that works out of two fire stations. The department staffing consists of 4 groups, a Fire Inspector, a Deputy Chief, Fire Chief, and an Administrative Assistant. All of the firefighters are trained to the EMT level and many are trained to the EMT-Paramedic level.
We operate four advanced life support ambulances, four engines, one 110 foot ladder truck, and two rescue boats.
The Harwich Fire Department responds to over 4800 calls a year, a majority of which are requests for Emergency Medical Services. All four of the department ambulances are Advanced Life Support ambulances. These ambulances are equipped with over 40 medications, intubation equipment, 12 lead EKGs with capnography, pediatric/newborn support supplies, advanced first aid supplies and more.
The Harwich Fire Department serves as a Training Center for the members and many in the community. The Harwich Fire Department conducts a number of classes for the public, such as the Citizens Fire Academy and American Heart Association CPR classes.
The Harwich Fire Department has a Fire Prevention office that conducts residential and commercial resale inspections, oil burner inspections, annual hotel/motel and restaurant inspections, along with new construction and remodel plan review. The Fire Prevention Office works closely with both the Building and Health Inspectors to ensure a streamlined approach to inspectional services.
Open Burning regulations, Resale inspection applications and fee schedules are now available on our Fire Prevention page.
Harwich Fire Department Personnel
David LeBlanc
Chief of Department
Craig Thornton
Deputy Fire Chief
Group 1
Captain Donald Parker
Lt. Brad Willis
OIC Adam Laplante
FF Glenn Hawthorne
FF Matt Eldredge
FF Kevin Duquette
FF Bill Schneeweiss
FF Christianna Brown
Group 2
Captain Leighanne Smith
Lt. Scott Tyldesley
OIC Joe Rego
FF Josh Ford
FF Tim Druckenbrod
FF Jamie Sandino
FF Tracy Stewart
Group 3
Captain Joseph Mayo
Lt. Ryan Edwards
OIC Eric Diamond
FF Shawn Piche
FF Ryan Avery
FF James Clarke
FF Christina Regan
FF Andrew Ottino
Group 4
Captain Justyne Walorz
Lt. Justin White
OIC Eric Elliott
FF Dan SanGiovanni
FF Bryant Warner
FF Robert Williams
FF Brandon Ferro
FF Mark Pirruccio
Paul Finn
EMS Officer
Susan Pires
Administrative Assistant
Bruce Young
Fire Prevention Officer
The average ambulance call requires the response of three personnel, one being a paramedic. Once the ambulance is committed to transport, personnel are recalled to back-fill the fire station to maintain a minimum of two personnel available to respond to the next incident.
Engine responses usually require three personnel, but we often respond with two because of other incidents that are ongoing. The National Standard for Engine staffing is four. While we often can accomplish the task at hand with two, it does not take much for the amount of work required to quickly overwhelm the personnel on hand. Often, we are forced to respond with both stations, or recall personnel from off duty to meet the needs of a particular incident.
Serious motor vehicle crashes, building fires, and large scale mutual aid incidents often require a recall of the entire department to assist. Some incidents require just the recall of a group, one off duty shift, to assist. Incidents requiring these types of recalls are less frequent and this is a system that has worked well because it allows the department to scale the response based on personnel needed.
The Emergency Medical Services Officer is responsible for all training related to recertification of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. He also is responsible for licensing and certification of ambulances, maintenance of equipment, and ordering of supplies.