Fires and burns can be devastating, both to property and to people. In Suffolk County, Massachusetts, the Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) Department is devoted to serving both the 1.5 million residents and the more than 11,000 first responders dedicated to saving lives and protecting property. The FRES Department maintains the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) and the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (MBRIS) to track data and statistics on fires and burns in the county. Nearly 100 fire departments have been involved in putting out wildfires in Suffolk County, including the seventh largest in state history since 1975, which destroyed three homes and injured three firefighters. Recruitment specialists from the FRES Department will be present at a recruitment event on Saturday, July 16 starting at 8 a.m.
to discuss the many benefits available to potential first responders. The Long Island Railroad, the Brookhaven Fire Department and the South County Ambulance will also participate in the demonstration. The Rocky Point Fire District has also inaugurated a newly renovated first-aid office building, along with an emergency vehicle garage at 89 Hallock Landing Road, which will give residents of the area greater access to paramedics. The church's basement is expected to be used for fire and EMS training classes, in addition to the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank, as well as for meetings with neighboring departments and associations municipalities. The annual reports include a full set of Massachusetts fire statistics for the year. So what is the average number of fires in Suffolk County each year? According to MFIRS data, there were an average of 1,845 fires reported in Suffolk County between 2015-2019. This includes all types of fires from structure fires to brush fires.
The Manorville Fire was the most significant during this period, burning approximately 6 square miles of undeveloped forest. The FRES Department is committed to providing Suffolk County residents with a safe environment by responding quickly and efficiently to fires and other emergencies. With proper training and resources, first responders can help protect lives and property from devastating fires.
