10/24/2026
I just finished watching ‘Burnin’ Down the House’, a documentary that shines a light on the deteriorating conditions inside fire stations in Fall River, Worcester, and Westwood, and the serious health concerns firefighters face, including exposure to hazardous materials and occupational cancer.
Honestly, it was difficult to watch.
I toured Fall River’s Central Fire Station about a year ago, so seeing the conditions highlighted in this film hit close to home. But seeing the faces of our own firefighters, hearing their stories, listening to their concerns about their health, and hearing about colleagues they’ve lost to occupational cancer made it even more difficult.
These aren’t just stories about aging buildings. They’re stories about people who serve our community, the risks they face, and the lasting impact this job can have on them and their families.
Our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us. They shouldn’t have to worry about the conditions of the buildings where they work and sleep, too.
As a city, we have fallen short in maintaining most of our municipal buildings, and that needs to change. We cannot keep putting off necessary maintenance until problems become more costly and difficult to address.
Our firefighters shouldn’t have to work and sleep in buildings that wouldn’t be up to code if they weren’t owned by the city.
It’s time we prioritize our public safety buildings with the same commitment we give our school buildings.
Massachusetts already has a model for helping communities make these investments. Through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the state reimburses a portion of eligible school construction and renovation costs, helping reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
Why couldn’t we have a similar approach for fire stations and other essential municipal buildings?
State bill S.1650 proposes establishing a Municipal and Public Safety Building Authority to help cities and towns fund these projects. I support the goal of creating a state partnership so communities aren’t left to shoulder the entire cost themselves.
I’d like to see a sustainable funding source, a transparent process for selecting projects, and a reimbursement formula that recognizes the financial challenges facing communities like Fall River. We should explore assistance of up to 80% of eligible costs, similar to the maximum reimbursement available through the MSBA, while recognizing that the current proposal does not guarantee that rate.
State assistance can help, but it cannot replace our responsibility to properly maintain the buildings we already have. We need to plan ahead, prioritize these investments, and make responsible decisions with taxpayer dollars.
This is about more than buildings. It’s about public safety, the health of our firefighters, and honoring the people we’ve lost by taking these concerns seriously. Appreciation alone isn’t enough. We need to turn that appreciation into action.
If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to see ‘Burnin’ Down the House’ for yourself. There will be another screening Saturday at 5 p.m. at Picture Show in Fall River. Hearing these stories firsthand is a powerful reminder of why this issue deserves our attention.
I hope the Legislature moves this proposal forward, and I hope Fall River makes maintaining and improving our public safety facilities a priority.
It’s time we show our Fall River Firefighters that we have their backs, not just with words, but with action.
