Letter: Amherst Fire Department is Dangerously Understaffed
Photo: Amherst Firefighters Local 1764
Over the past week, multiple incidents highlighted the strain placed on Amherst’s fire response due to simultaneous calls and limited staffing.
Friday, May 1, Engine 1 was dispatched to a fire alarm activation at Hampshire College. At the same time, crews were already committed to a medical call, leaving Engine 1 responding with only two firefighters. Engine 2 was dispatched to assist. While en route, security personnel reported smoke, upgrading the incident to a box alarm.
As units responded to Hampshire College, a second fire alarm was reported at Meadowview Apartments. For several minutes, no units were available to respond. A chief officer responded alone from home.
At Hampshire College, crews found no fire, allowing Engine 2 to clear and respond to Meadowview. Upon arrival, the chief officer encountered heavy smoke on the first floor and upgraded the incident to a box alarm. Engine 2 arrived shortly after and found a contained cooking fire that had been extinguished by a resident, who had also safely evacuated the children.
The next day, May 2, a similar situation occurred. A box alarm was struck for smoke in a basement while all available units were committed to simultaneous medical calls. Engine 1 responded with just two career firefighters, accompanied by the Fire Chief.
Crews encountered a dryer fire in the basement and contained and extinguished it. As soon as the fire was brought under control, Engine 2 cleared from a separate call to staff an ambulance for another medical emergency.
As recent call data shows, a significant portion of emergency calls occur at the same time, often overlapping with medical incidents that draw from the same limited staffing.
These incidents are not isolated. High call volume and frequent overlapping responses are a consistent reality, often resulting in understaffed initial responses. While outcomes in these cases were favorable, they depended on timing, circumstance, and a degree of luck. Addressing this requires staffing levels that reflect current call demand.
Sarah Forsaith
Sarah Forsaith is President of Amherst Firefighters 1764