Firefighters and state lawmakers gathered at Olde Scotland Links Golf Course in Bridgewater on Friday, April 3, as the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County hosted its Legislative Breakfast. (Photo Courtesy Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County)
BRIDGEWATER — The Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County hosted its Legislative Breakfast on Friday, April 3, bringing together fire chiefs and lawmakers to discuss fire safety priorities, fire service funding, and legislative initiatives impacting fire departments across the state.
The event, held at Olde Scotland Links Golf Course in Bridgewater, was attended by more than 50 people, including fire chiefs, state legislators and legislative staff from across the region. The breakfast marked the first legislative breakfast hosted by the association since 2019.
West Bridgewater Fire Chief Lincoln Thibeault, President of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County, welcomed attendees and thanked legislators for their continued support of the fire service and the communities they serve. Chief Thibeault described the event as an opportunity to explain the evolving nature of the fire service, which now entails responding to all types of hazards beyond fire suppression, resulting in an increased call volume and the need for more sustainable funding for apparatus, infrastructure and the recruitment/retention of qualified personnel.
“We are emergency medical providers, hazardous materials responders, technical rescue teams, and increasingly a critical component of our community’s public health,” Chief Thibeault said. “With that expanded mission comes a set of challenges that require thoughtful collaboration between state and local leaders.”
The keynote speaker was Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli, who discussed several legislative priorities important to fire departments across Massachusetts, including the need to establish ambulance billing reforms and to create a Public Safety Building Authority, similar to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, to help communities fund fire and police facilities.
Chief Nardelli also spoke out against legislation that would allow single-stairwell residential buildings, emphasizing firefighter and resident safety concerns related to dangerous building designs for low-income housing. Chief Nardelli said single-stairwell designs hamper firefighting operations and inhibit the safe evacuation of the state’s most vulnerable, economically disadvantaged community members.
“Single stairwells are a clear and present danger to the life and safety of residents in the Commonwealth,” said Chief Nardelli. “We can’t put people in unsafe housing.”
In addition to that, Chief Nardelli spoke about ongoing efforts to move the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) from the Department of Public Health to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Chief Nardelli thanked state Sen. Michael Rodrigues for being a “champion” of legislation that will enact this change. The legislation will help ensure that OEMS gets the attention and funding it needs to be effective.
“That is a bill that has been pushed for the last few years,” Chief Nardelli said. “We’re just trying to get it over the finish line.”
State Sen. John Keenan, who represents the Norfolk and Plymouth District, attended the event and spoke with fire chiefs about the legislative process and ongoing budget and policy discussions on Beacon Hill.
“The legislative breakfast was a great opportunity for fire chiefs and state leaders to freely discuss public safety issues, infrastructure needs, firefighter safety, and the future of emergency services across Plymouth County and the Commonwealth,” said Association President Chief Thibeault. “We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our state leaders to support fire departments and to ensure the safety of residents and firefighters throughout our communities.”
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Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli was a featured speaker at the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County Legislative Breakfast in Bridgewater. The event brought together public safety leaders and state officials to discuss legislative priorities and issues impacting fire departments across Massachusetts. (Photo Courtesy Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County)
West Bridgewater Fire Chief Lincoln Thibeault, President of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County, welcomed attendees and thanked legislators for their continued support of the fire service. (Photo Courtesy Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County)
Fire chiefs and state legislators held conversations throughout the Fire Chiefs Association of Plymouth County Legislative Breakfast on Friday, April 3. (Photo Courtesy Fire Chiefs’ Association of Plymouth County)
More than 50 fire chiefs, legislators and staff attended the Fire Chiefs Association of Plymouth County Legislative Breakfast. (Photo Courtesy Fire Chiefs Association of Plymouth County)
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