The tragic incident this week in Fall River has left many reflecting on the work of first responders and asking important questions about how emergency response works in their own communities. The actions of the Fall River firefighters were nothing short of heroic, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the members of the Fall River Fire Department who responded with courage and professionalism in the face of unimaginable circumstances.
Events like this serve as a powerful reminder of what’s at stake and why preparation, staffing, and training matter so deeply.
Here in Attleboro, the Fire Department takes every possible measure to protect the safety and well-being of our community. From prevention and planning to the way we staff our apparatus and train our personnel, every decision is made with one goal in mind: ensuring a fast, effective response when it matters most.
A Look Inside AFD’s Emergency Response Readiness
At the Attleboro Fire Department, response begins long before the call comes in. It starts with prevention, planning, staffing, and readiness training because in our line of work, preparation saves lives.
Fire Prevention: Stopping Emergencies Before They Start
The Fire Prevention Division, staffed by District Chief Scott Godin, Fire Alarm Superintendent Lieutenant Erik Johnson, and Inspector Greg Pion, is a crucial first line of defense. In coordination with district personnel, the division conducts approximately 1,500 inspections each year at schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, commercial properties, and residences. These inspections not only ensure compliance with fire codes but also confirm that early-detection fire alarm systems are properly maintained and operational.
But these visits are more than just box-checking, they’re strategic. Each inspection helps reduce risk, increase awareness, and enhance readiness citywide by addressing hazards before an emergency ever occurs.
They ensure buildings meet fire safety standards, exits are accessible, and hazards are identified and mitigated. But equally important, they provide every firefighter an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the layout, utilities, occupancy, and potential challenges of structures they may one day have to enter under duress. This knowledge dramatically increases operational efficiency and safety when seconds count.
Staffing for Speed and Strength
Fires can double in size every minute under typical conditions, making a fast and well-staffed response critical. Many departments respond with apparatus carrying only two firefighters. Attleboro does not. Every apparatus responds with at least one officer and two firefighters, a commitment made possible by city leadership who prioritize staffing.
A standard first-alarm assignment in Attleboro includes:
- A Command Vehicle
- Two Engine Companies
- One Ladder Company
- One Rescue Company (ambulance)
That initial response puts 13 personnel on scene within 4 – 5 minutes or less; one incident commander, three crew officers, and nine firefighters. This robust arrival force is equipped to assess, act, and adapt immediately.
Escalation Protocols and Scene Structure
If an incident is confirmed, response escalates strategically:
- One additional engine and one additional rescue are dispatched, adding five more personnel.
- The EMS District Chief is assigned to oversee triage, treatment and ambulance staging.
- The Fire Prevention District Chief responds to serve as the scene’s Safety Officer, providing oversight for potential hazards and operational risks.
Within roughly 8-10 minutes, up to 20 AFD personnel are typically on scene, including three engines, one ladder, and two rescues. Attleboro has only one ladder truck. In larger-scale incidents requiring vertical access or aerial operations beyond that, we rely on mutual aid from neighboring departments.
During a first alarm, only one engine company remains available to cover the rest of the city. With an average of 25–30 calls per day, Attleboro’s resources; fire and EMS; are constantly in motion, and it’s rare for all apparatus to be available at the same time. Mutual aid partners are essential for maintaining coverage during overlapping emergencies.
Training: Because Lives Depend On It
We train like your life depends on it, because it does.
That mindset drives the Attleboro Fire Department’s commitment to training. Led by Lieutenant Dan Murray, the Training Division develops and delivers monthly specialized training plans for all personnel. These include technical skills, scenario-based exercises involving multiple companies, and hands-on evolutions that mirror real-world incidents.
AFD personnel also receive regular EMS training, with a strong focus on paramedic-level continuing education, quality assurance (QA), and quality improvement (QI). Medical protocols are constantly reviewed and reinforced to ensure the highest standard of care on every emergency medical call.
AFD trains extensively in the Incident Command System (ICS) and Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) response. These exercises are conducted in collaboration with mutual aid departments, EMS agencies, and other public safety partners to ensure smooth, unified operations when large-scale events occur.
In addition to in-house training and drills, firefighters continue their education through accredited online platforms, regional seminars, and classes offered by the Massachusetts Fire Academy.
In Every Step, A Commitment to Readiness
Attleboro Fire Department operates with one clear goal: to deliver fast, effective, and safe emergency response to our community, every time without hesitation. Whether it’s stopping an emergency before it starts or confronting one head-on, our preparation today protects lives tomorrow.
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