How Does the Alarm System Work in Amherst?

One Patch reader was wondering how the alarm system works for fires in Amherst.

Here is the answer.

Amherst Fire Chief Mark Boynton said that alarm assignments are generally set by each community, or a regional dispatch center. In Amherst, an alarm assignment is two fire engines, one ladder and one of the department’s chief officers. A second alarm fire would bring two additional engines and another ladder. 

Additional vehicles and officers are assigned as the alarm rating increases.

These parameters can change depending on the area and known hazards. In rural areas without fire hydrants the ladder truck will be replaced with tankers (fire trucks that carry 2-3000 gallons of water.) Another example would be a first alarm to a reported fire in an explosive factory may be six engines, three ladders, ten tankers and three chief officers.

Fires typically only reach five alarms in our area said Boynton. After that he would have to contact dispatch to fire additional vehicles.

During a major event, such as a tornado or forest fire, a state plan can be activated to pull resources from other parts of the state that are not affected.