Newbury Fire & Rescue Department

Newbury Fire Department Table of Contents

Newbury Fire Department Overview
News
Upcoming Events
Monthly Features
Newbury Fire Department Activity
Newbury Fire Department History
Newbury Fire Department Information
Newbury Fire Department Stations
Newbury Fire Department Apparatus
Newbury Fire Department Community Activities
Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
EMS/Fire Training Information
Newbury Fire Department Training
Newbury Fire Department Calls for the Year 2008. UPDATED
Newbury Fire Department Officers
Newbury Fire Department Mutual Aid
Fire Safety Information
Homeland Security Family Preparedness Information
Fire Department Resource Library
Fire Department/EMS Internet Links
Town of Newbury Website

Newbury Map

New Members Wanted

The Newbury Fire Department is looking for firefighters and EMTs. If you are interested in becomming part of the Newbury Fire Department, please stop by at the fire station any Tuesday evening and fill out an Application

News

USFA Announces Arson Awareness Week Theme for 2009

EMMITSBURG, MD – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces the theme for the 2009 Arson Awareness Week: Arson for Profit. USFA and its partners will use the week of May 3rd to the 9th to focus public attention on the alarming statistics about Arson for Profit and hopes to expand the resources and support necessary to reduce this crime.

Arson for Profit, or economic arson, is when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce financial loss, recoup initial investments, or dispose of depreciated assets usually for a payout from insurance companies. The USFA is partnering with the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). "Each year firefighters and innocent civilians are needlessly put in danger, injured and killed as a result of arson fires," said Glenn A. Gaines, Acting United States Fire Administrator. "We are pleased to partner with the law enforcement community on efforts to reduce the crime of arson." According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2005 an estimated 323,900 intentional fires reported to U.S. fire departments resulted in 490 civilian fire deaths, 3 firefighter onduty deaths, 1,500 civilian fire injuries, 7,600 firefighter onduty injuries and $1.102 billion in direct property damage. "Arson is a costly crime that's being fanned by the flames of recession. Firefighters and innocent families are endangered when desperate people illegally torch their homes, businesses and cars for insurance bailouts," according to Dennis Jay, Executive Director, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. "Arson also is raising insurance premiums at a time of great stress on honest people's pocketbooks. All Americans are victims of arson, and we all must work to ensure fewer arson matches are ever lit." The Federal Bureau of Investigation's 2007 Uniform Crime Reporting statistics showed the average dollar loss for all types of arson was $17,289. For structures, arson damages were $32,364 on average and $7,890 for motor vehicles. Arsons of industrial and manufacturing structures resulted in the highest average dollar losses—an average of $114,699 per arson. "Arson is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. When the arsonist unleashes fire, he does so with a callous disregard for what the outcome will be. He cares not a whit about the firefighters that will risk their lives responding to the fire, the innocent victims that may be disfigured or killed, the neighboring residents or businesses that may suffer damage or destruction, the blight his deeds will leave on a community or the financial costs that burned property imposes on society," said Ken Finley, IAAI-CFI, President, International Association of Arson Investigators. "Please join us in our never ending fight against those who use fire as a vicious tool for their own gain." The USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) states the two leading causes of civilian deaths are arson, at 28 percent, and smoking, at 18 percent. Arson is, by far, the leading cause of property loss, at 26 percent. Arson is an enormous problem in the United States, especially to outside and nonresidential structure properties. David M. Wulf, Chief of the ATF's National Center for Explosives Training and Research adds, "In view of the economy and uncertainty within the housing market, arson for profit presents an increased concern to both fire service and law-enforcement agencies."

For more information, including a media kit for the 2009 Arson Awareness Week campaign, go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/aaw/

Newbury Fire Department's New Tanker is now in Service

The Newbury Fire Department took delivery, in January of the new Tanker 1, a 2008 Kenworth with a Valley Fire Apparaus tanker Body. The truck has a 2000 gallon water tank and a 500 gallon pump. The replaces the 1977 International tanker and increases the water transport capability from 1200 gallons to 2000 gallons. Trainin has been done on the operation of the new tanker and it is now in full service. In addition to the water transport, the truck will also be used to provide additional safety at motor vehicle accident scenes.

It is the Law - Permits are required for outdoor burning

New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands Fire Permit Information
Contact Newbury Forest Fire Warden, David Smith at 938-5925, for permit application
Sample Permit

NH Division of Forests and Lands Fire Permit Rules and Regulations
A written fire permit shall be Summarily Suspended if any of the following fire permit restrictions are violated, and an Official Notice or a Summons may be issued to the violator for the following:
If a fire is kindled or material is burned between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. unless it is actually raining, except for category I and IV fire permits.
If a fire is kindled which is in non-conformance with the permit information provided for by RES 5601.04(b) for a category 1,11,111 fire or RES 5601.05(b) for a category IV fire.
If a fire is kindled or material is burned during unfavorable weather conditions (wind, lack of precipitation, or other factors increasing fire hazard) or when a proclamation closing the woodlands is in force.
If a fire is kindled or material is burned when specified assistance or suppression equipment is not present to control the fire.
If the permittee fails to keep the fire under control or if the Director, Division of Forests and Lands, or his authorized agents or the Forest Fire Warden feel that the material being burned is causing an unusual hazard endangering life or property or both.
If the material being burned violates any state law, rule, local ordinance or New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services rules regarding open burning.
If an open fire is left unattended at any time prior to it being completely extinguished.
Except for public and private camp or picnic sites, if fires are kindled and material burned closer than 50’ from any structure and if provisions are not made to prevent a fire from spreading to within 50’ of a structure unless the fire is a category I fire in which case it shall not be closer than 25’ from any structure.
Fire permits shall not be issued to individuals who have had more than two open burning violations, or any grievous violations, within the past 7 years.

CATEGORY I, II, III, IV FIRE PERMITS
Category I, II, and Ill fires may be kindled only with written permission of the landowner or the landowner’s agent and a written fire permit issued by the Forest Fire Warden, or the Warden’s authorized agent in the town or city where the fire will be kindled.
Category IV tires may be kindled only with written permission of the landowner or landowner’s agent and a written fire permit issued by the Forest Ranger and Forest Fire Warden, or the Warden’s authorized agent in the town or city where the fire will be kindled.
A gas grill or charcoal fire in a container up and off the ground kindled by the landowner or with the landowner’s permission does not require a written fire permit.

NH Forests & Lands Forest Fire Class Day Information

USFA Releases Outdoor Fires Topical Report

WASHINGTON D.C. - The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a special report examining the causes and characteristics of outdoor fires. The report, Outdoor Fires, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of the USFA. This report is based on 2004 to 2006 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The report, part of the USFA’s Topical Fire Report Series, shows an estimated 655,200 outdoor fires occur annually in the U.S. resulting in 50 civilian deaths, 875 civilian injuries, and $154 million in property loss. According to the report, outdoor fires peak in March, April, and July and account for 41 percent of all fires in the U.S. Together, trash or rubbish fires (47 percent) and natural vegetation fires (44 percent) account for 91 percent of outdoor fires. In 73 percent of outdoor fires, organic materials such as crops, grass, and trees are the items first ignited. Fires that are started unintentionally are the leading cause of outdoor fires. The short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.

A copy of the report can be downloaded at: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/reports/index.shtm

Newbury Fire & Rescue Department Knox Box Program

The Newbury Fire & Rescue Department is joining neighboring communities and fire departments throughout the country in establishing a “Knox Box” program for emergency building access. A Knox Box is a secure key box containing building keys affixed to the outside of a business or home. If a fire alarm is received or there is a report of other emergency when the building us unoccupied, the fire department utilizes special fire department key, that will open the Knox Box containing the building keys. This eliminates the need to break down doors or windows to enter the building or presume there is no fire when nothing is visible from the outside. The ability to thoroughly inspect a building will enable the responders to locate other problems such as electrical hazards, heating problems and gas and water leaks set off an alarm and could lead to costly other problems if not identified. The Knox Box system is only used to enter a building in the event of a fire department emergency response to an alarm activation or report of an emergency at the location.

The fire department key is secured in special Knox Box on the truck that can only be opened by authorized personnel and all openings of the box are electronically recorded. Knox Boxes keyed to the Newbury system are purchased by the building owner from the Knox Box company and are installed in accordance with fire department specifications. Knox Boxes are generally installed at locations with Town of Newbury permitted central station fire alarm systems, where the Newbury Police and Fire Departments have emergency contact information. Building owners or their authorized emergency contacts are notified of every alarm notification and when the Knox Box is used to provide emergency personnel with access to the building. Emergency contact Information provided is kept confidential by the police and fire departments.

Information on the Knox Box system is available on the company’s website www.knoxbox.com, For residential and small business use the Knox Residential 1650 Series surface mount box is used. Other models are available for larger businesses where multiple access keys may be needed, for new construction and other special requirements. Complete the attached application and submit to Chief Henry Thomas, Jr. at the Newbury Fire & Rescue Department, 952 Route 103, PO Box 373, Newbury NH 03255 if you are interested in participating in the Knox Box Program or contact Chief Thomas if you have questions

The Town of Newbury Alarm Ordinance requires a permit for all business and residential central station fire and security alarms. Please note that the grace period is now over and fines will be assessed for alarm systems that do not have the new permits.

Click here to download a Fire Alarm Permit Application

All alarms installed in the town pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the standards set forth in state law, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 National Fire Alarm Code, the National Electrical Code and the codes published by the International Building Code (IBC). Permitted central stations shall comply with NFPA 71.

Alarm Permit Required

The Newbury Police and Fire Chiefs are authorized to issue a permit to any owner of property located within the town or the lessee thereof to maintain, install and modify a fire, burglary, holdup or intrusion alarm system upon application.

Dialer-type alarms that are operated by a prerecorded message machine are not authorized to be used at the police and fire departments. Alarms which monitor temperature, humidity and any other condition not directly related to the detection or notification of emergency personnel are specifically excluded from this chapter.

Applications for Security and Fire Alarm Permits and Central Station Company permits shall be submitted to the Newbury Police Department, 952 Route 103, Newbury, NH 03255. Application forms are available at the Police Department, Town Office and may be downloaded from the Town of Newbury Website www.newburynh.org.

There shall be no fee for the alarm system installation permit issued by the police and fire departments.

The first permit year shall be eleven (11) calendar months plus the remainder of the month in which the alarm permit was issued, and twelve (12) calendar months thereafter.

Any owner or lessee of property having an alarm system on the premises and any user of alarm services or equipment designed and installed with the intent of eliciting an emergency response shall pay to the town a service charge as set scheduled below.

Any central station, answering service or proprietary system that in any manner notifies the police or fire departments of an alarm signal from an alarm system of an alarm user who does not possess an alarm user's permit or whose permit has been suspended, revoked or denied shall be charged a penalty as listed below. Penalties, for each notification made to the town.

Penalties

Penalties for violations of the Alarm Ordinance shall be as follows:

(1) Operating an alarm without a valid permit . . . $100.00

(2) Operating an alarm when a permit has been suspended or revoked . . . $100.00

(3) False alarm penalties Fire Alarms

Any owner or lessee or person in control of property having an alarm system on the premises and any user of alarm services or equipment designed and installed with the intent of eliciting an emergency response shall pay to the town a service charge of $250.00 for each and every false alarm to which the fire department responds after the initial response within a seven-day period. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to correct any and all problems resulting in the activation of false alarms

Fourth false fire alarm in a year . . . $100.00

Fifth false fire alarm in a year. …. . $200.00

Sixth and successive false fire alarms in a year . . . $300.00

(4) Central Station, answering service or proprietary system notification of an alarm not possessing a valid permit . . . $100.00

Click here for full Town of Newbury Fire Alarm Ordinance

Monthly Features

Fire Safety Information

NFPA Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet

Cooking Fire Safety

NFPA - Take Care This Heating Season

Winter Storm Fire Safety

Fire Safety and Prevention Fact Sheets

Safeguarding Roofing Operations