Groveland Fire Department News

Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen and Fire Chief Robert Valentine would like to share guidelines and tips in regard to accessing help in the midst of an emergency during National 9-1-1 Education Month. According to the National Emergency Number Association, approximately 240 million calls are made to 911 each year in the United States. 9-1-1 Education Month is recognized across the country to conduct outreach and educate community members on 911 resources and practices. Share informatio...

Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush and West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, on behalf of the nine-community Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative, report on another successful COVID-19 vaccine clinic held this weekend, and the organizers and their municipal government leaders are extremely proud to announce that the clinic will continue, with approximately 3,000 more doses allocated to this local, volunteer-driven effort. The most recent session, a “second dose clinic” he...

Groveland Fire Chief Robert Valentine would like to announce that burning permits for the State Open Burning Season can now be applied for online. Burning permits from previous seasons do not carry over from year-to-year. All residents need to re-apply for a permit and can do so online by visiting the Groveland Fire Department’s website. The State Open Burning Season began on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The season will end on Friday, May 1. If one has a permit and are planning a burn, call 978-36...

Finance and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski is pleased to announce that the Town of Groveland has appointed a new Fire Chief. Chief Robert Valentine was sworn in on Sunday at Central Fire Station at 181 Main St. by Town Clerk Elizabeth Cunniff. “Chief Valentine was a standout candidate during the preliminary interviews for this position, and I think he’ll be a true leader of the fire department and a great addition to Groveland,” Dembkoski said. Chief Valentine officially...

Chief Robert Valentine and Groveland Firefighters Association President Dave Evans are pleased to announce that members of the Groveland Fire Department delivered turkeys to dozens of residents in a modified version of its annual Turkey Night. Firefighters Traditional Event Traditionally, the Groveland Firefighters Association raffles off 40 turkeys at its annual Turkey Night the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Though the event had to be canceled this year due to safety concerns amid COVID-19, m...

Bryx, a globally renowned provider of first responder technology products, will be installing its Bryx Station alerting system just 25 miles west of Orlando, Florida, at Groveland Fire Department. Fire Alert device installation  Bryx’s installation will follow Groveland Fire Department’s move into its new headquarters in the brand new public safety building in early 2021. The Bryx Station system is also being installed at the nearby Station 94, with an anticipated third instal...

Chief Robert Valentine is pleased to announce that the Groveland Fire Department was awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to hire two full-time firefighters, who will be the first full-time members in the department’s history. Groveland Fire, which has historically been a call department, received a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant in the amount of $464,490 to cover the salaries and benefits of two new full-time firefighters. Fund...

Chief Robert Valentine would like to remind Groveland residents to practice safe grilling habits while cooking outdoors this season. Between 2014 and 2018, Massachusetts fire departments responded to 474 fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. These fires caused 19 civilian injuries, seven firefighter injuries, and $3.8 million in property damages. “With warmer weather around the corner, we know many are looking forward...

Interim Fire Chief Richard York is pleased to announce that Michael Neenan graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy last week. Firefighter Neenan graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighting Training program Class 74. He was recognized along with 23 other graduates during a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 28 at Masconomet Regional Middle School in Boxford. Firefighter Neenan was born in West Newbury and moved to Groveland in 2002. He...

Interim Fire Chief Richard York is pleased to announce that the Groveland Fire Department’s new Squad 1 vehicle is now in service. A 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe 4X4, the Squad 1 truck arrived in late December and is a registered Class V ambulance, operating at the Basic Life Support level. Firefighters will take Squad 1 to all medical calls, motor vehicle crashes, and other calls for service, as needed. The truck is equipped with EpiPens, Albuterol, Narcan, glucose, glucometers, an AED, and all...