Dalton Fire Department in Search of Interim, Permanent Chief

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The leadership of the Fire Department is up in the air after the firing of one chief, the retirement of another and the pending departure of a third. 
 
All within a month. 
 
Board of Water Commissioners Chair James Driscoll said interim Chief Chris Cachat decided to step down last week following grumblings from firefighters questioning his effectiveness in the position.
 
For his part, Cachat said he was retiring at the age of 66. At this age he'll be past the age limit for a firefighter. 
 
These conversations came after an unannounced executive session Monday night that Driscoll described as being "accidentally" called. A number of firefighters attended the closed meeting.
 
Driscoll said the commission offered Cachat the position on Monday of last week but that he decided to not accept the district's offer after reviewing it for 24 hours. Cachat, as assistant chief, had stepped into the post in mid-May after James Peltier was placed on administrative leave and then fired.
 
Cachat said he turned down the post because it would require him to work into his 70s. 
 
"I've been in there for 40 years and I'm going to be 66 at the end of this month. And it's just time to step back and let the next generation come in," he said. 
 
He also pointed out that state law requires firefighters to retire at age 65 unless they have a waiver. 
 
Cachat is leaving the department but will remain in his current position at Mirabito Energy Products. 
 
Corey Wilcox, a captain in the department, had collaborated with Cachat. He took over day-to-day operations while Cachat handled overall chief duties, Driscoll said. 
 
Now Wilcox will be acting chief until another candidate can be found but is leaving soon to join the Pittsfield Fire Department. 
 
"We're in the process of looking for an interim chief to run the department until we can start a new search committee, collect resumes, start the process of interviews, and hiring a full time chief," Driscoll said. "Hopefully we'll be able to get something going this week."
 
It is unclear how long the search will take but the commission has a list of qualified candidates recommended by county fire departments.
 
Driscoll said firefighters asked if they could have representation on the review committee. The commission said it would consider that. 
 
iBerkshires received an email with allegations of misconduct in the department purportedly sent with the consent of a number of firefighters. It described "unprofessional" and at times unsafe behavior and a lack of leadership following Peltier's tenure as chief. 
 
Driscoll confirmed at least one alleged incident -- that firefighters were shooting "firecrackers" at each other in the bathroom. He said a group of individuals were disciplined but not what that entailed. Cachat said he'd heard rumors about the incident.
 
Driscoll said he is unaware of the other accusations but will be looking into them. 

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Mass Wildland Fires Spiked in October

STOW, Mass. — The National Weather Service issued another Red Flag warning for all of Massachusetts, continuing a weather trend that has contributed to an unprecedented spike in outdoor fires across the state.

In Massachusetts, an average of 15 wildland fires are reported each October. This year, the month’s total capped at about 200 – an increase of about 1,200 percent over the average, and higher than the monthly numbers usually seen in the traditional early spring brush fire season. Of these fires, 100 were reported over the last seven days, and preliminary information indicates that all of them started with human activity.

"More than a quarter of this year’s brush and wildland fires took place in October," said Chief Fire Warden David Celino of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation. "They accounted for more than half of the 1,158 acres burned so far this year. The weather conditions and dry surface fuels that have contributed to these fast-moving fires are expected to continue in the days ahead. Any outdoor fire will grow quickly, become difficult to control, and require numerous firefighting resources."

"About 45 percent of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas at risk for brush and wildland fires," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "In the current fire weather environment, any significant fire could put people and property in danger. In fact, many of them have started with activity around the house, like outdoor cooking and using lawn tractors and other power equipment."

"Battling wildland fires is labor-intensive, time-consuming, resource-heavy work for our firefighters," said Foxborough Fire Chief Michael D. Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. "Dead and compromised trees, off-road apparatus, and drought-induced fire behavior all pose a heightened level of danger to our personnel. We’re asking all our residents to help us help them by refraining from any activity that could involve sparks, flames, and heat sources outdoors."

Fire officials are asking residents to:

  • Remember that open burning is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round.
  • Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
  • Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. Hot engines, sparks, and spilled gasoline can ignite dry leaves and grass.
  • Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out: never dump them outdoors or in the trash.
  • Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.

Weather conditions statewide place all Massachusetts communities at elevated risk of brush fires. Many of these fires could spread to or from residential areas. Residents should monitor fire conditions closely and follow instructions from local public safety officials. Ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are enabled on your cell phone. If your community has a local alert system, sign up to receive local warnings.

Residents should also be aware of heavy smoke conditions in some areas, which could pose health hazards to vulnerable populations and limited visibility on some roadways. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has compiled resources designed to help residents, patients, and health professionals navigate the health risks associated with wildfire smoke. Smoke could also pose driving hazards: motorists should always use caution when operating in limited visibility.

As of last week, the following significant fires were still considered active:

  • Cain Hill Fire in Salem/Lynn: currently at 140 acres and 50 percent contained
  • Middleton Pond Fire in Middleton: 188 acres and 70 percent contained
  • Pappas Fire in Canton: 32 acres and 90 percent contained
  • Wolcott Hill / Blue Hills Reservation: 2 acres and 100 percent contained
  • Curry 24 Fire in Devens: 100 acres and 99 percent contained
  • Maple Meadow Fire in Wilmington: 10 acres and 70 percent contained
  • Mt. Laurel Fire in Holden: 6 acres and 95 percent contained
  • Trader’s Way Fire in Salem: 15 acres and 50 percent contained
  • Old Forest Road Fire in North Andover: 5 acres and 30 percent contained

Officials stressed that wind, new leaf litter, and other factors can push a fire past the containment perimeter.

Throughout the last week, the Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan was activated to send 12 forestry task forces from central, eastern, and southeastern Massachusetts to support large fires in Wilmington, Salem, Canton, and Middleton, where firefighters from as far away as Stoughton were supporting local efforts.

Local coordinators from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are in contact with public safety officials experiencing large wildfires and are prepared to support needs as they arise. The Massachusetts Air National Guard has repeatedly mobilized helicopters to conduct water drop operations in Salem and Middleton. The Department of Fire Services has sent drone units, all-terrain vehicles, and firefighter rehab units to support incident commanders and fireground personnel. The Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry is assisting local fire departments with monitoring all active incidents, DCR fire towers are on full alert, and a temporary ban has been implemented on all open flame and charcoal fires at Massachusetts state parks.

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