Great Barrington Fire Department

06/04/2026

Every year we put out a message to the graduating class, some life values that we feel will carry the graduates far. Let’s be honest, not many kids are into Facebook – it is something that old people do – so – here is the latest and best Tik ToK and Snap Chat challenge – screen shot this – and send it to your friends – this is some important stuff.

Let’s get to it. To the Class of 2026
Growing up for you has been... well interesting. You watched phones get smarter, televisions get flatter, classrooms go online, and parents somehow become worse at technology while using more of it. You lived through Zoom school, frozen screens, muted microphones, TikTok trends, streaming services, smart watches, AI, apps that came and went, and a world where everything from your homework to your refrigerator apparently needed Wi-Fi.

You learned that plans can change quickly, that people matter more than things, and that sometimes the best skill you can have is the ability to adapt, laugh a little, and keep moving forward. These are all great skills to have in the fire service- just saying...

This weekend many of you will flip the tassel, successfully completing what is probably the most socially difficult period of your lives. This is a time when you look to your elders for advice and guidance – with the world we live in now the only advice that we can offer is what you learned when you were in Kindergarten. Be kind to one another, use common sense, keep your hands to yourself, and do not take what is not yours.

Give back – join your local Fire Department, learn CPR, become an EMT. These are life skills that will serve you well and give you confidence that you – yes you, can make a difference and help when it really matters.

To quote a song on advice – “Wear sunscreen. Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing Bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday. Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind - The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself.”

We encourage you to love your family, love your friends. Pull to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches, there is a chance they are on their way to help someone you know. Make smart decisions – Don’t drink and drive and look out for others who may have their decision-making capabilities compromised. Make your mark on this world but make sure that mark is something you and others will be proud of.

Congratulations class of 2026 – and remember – Call us if you need us, we’ll be here for you!

06/01/2026

Strong Together at the GB Fire Station!

Every day, first responders across the Berkshires show up for our community during emergencies, difficult moments, and the times when people need help most. On Saturday, June 20th, we are proud to host an event built to celebrate, support, and bring people together around those who serve.

Join the Great Barrington Fire Department and Black Bear Training for the 2nd Annual Strong Together Community Fitness Fundraiser for First Responders at the Great Barrington Fire Station.

This event is designed for all fitness levels. Whether you want to compete, join a workout, support a team, bring the family, or simply stop by and enjoy the day, there is a place for everyone.

The day will include a 9:00 AM community workout/open class, a team competition beginning at 10:00 AM, recovery options including sauna and cold plunge, food vendors, raffles, local sponsors, and community activities throughout the day. Teams will consist of 3 people with at least one first responder, and the top 4 teams will advance to a final event.

This event is about more than fitness. It is about strengthening relationships between first responders and the communities they serve. It is about support, appreciation, connection, and showcasing the incredible work being done every day by fire, EMS, police, and all emergency services.

Come work out, compete, cheer people on, grab some food, visit with your local first responders, and be part of a great community day at the fire station.

Saturday, June 20
8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Great Barrington Fire Department

Free to all first responders
$30 suggested donation
$50 team registration fee

Team registration link:
http://bit.ly/4nyNZks

We hope to see you there. Let’s show up strong, together.

05/24/2026

Our hearts, our prayers, and our most solemn condolences this morning are with the family of Boston Fire Department Firefighter Robert Kilduff Jr. and his brother and sister firefighters on Boston Fire Rescue Company 2 and across the Department.

Boston Firefighter Dies After Line of Duty Incident at Dorchester 3-Alarm Fire | May 23, 2026

Boston, MA - The Boston Fire Department is mourning the loss of a firefighter who died following a line of duty incident during a 3-Alarm fire in Dorchester Saturday night.

Just after 8:00pm, crews responded to 18 Treadway Rd where firefighters encountered heavy fire on the upper floors and through the roof of the building. During operations, a Mayday was transmitted after a firefighter fell from a rear 3rd floor porch.

The firefighter was rushed to a local hospital by Boston EMS with unknown injuries. Officials have since confirmed the firefighter has succumbed to those injuries.

The fire was later brought under control after the Mayday was cleared. The incident remains under investigation. The identity of the firefighter has not yet been released.

📸: Boston Fire Department

05/22/2026

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer here in Great Barrington. Traffic is picking up, people are out walking, bikes are appearing, motorcycles are back, crosswalks are busy, and everyone seems to be operating with either vacation brain, graduation brain, cookout brain, or “I have no idea where I am going but I am committed to the turn” brain.

A quick look at the upcoming forecast shows what many would politely call “not ideal.” Others may call it “blah.” Some of us may call it “of course, because last weekend was beautiful and apparently we are not allowed to have nice things on a three-day weekend.”

Can’t win them all.

With everyone’s sights set on the prize of a long weekend, it is easy to miss the hazards right in front of you. Kind of like those little black gypsy moth caterpillars that suddenly appear on your shirt, your arm, your windshield, your lunch, and somehow inside your house even though no one invited them.

As town gets busier, we are asking everyone to please pay attention and use common sense. Many accidents tend to fall into one of four categories:

The alcohol-induced.

The phone-distracted.

The daydreaming-about-the-weekend distracted.

Or the classic, timeless, and always popular: “What were you thinking?”

No matter which category is trying to recruit you this weekend, a little awareness goes a long way. Slow down. Look twice. Watch for pedestrians. Give motorcycles room. Use crosswalks. Do not drive distracted. Do not drink and drive. Keep an eye on kids, pets, grills, fire pits, candles, extension cords, and that one relative who always thinks they are “fine to do it themselves.”

Enjoy the weekend. Call us if you need us, We’ll be here for you.

05/21/2026

Here we are, quickly approaching the end of spring and the unofficial start of summer.

We know this because the old B**b Tube is running season finales, everyone’s news feed is suddenly full of college graduation photos, prom pictures, and parents trying to pretend they are not emotionally unstable about both.

Here at the firehouse, this also means one very important thing. The smell of smoke, gear, diesel, coffee, and whatever is happening in the refrigerator is slowly being overtaken by the sweet, patriotic aroma of Mothers California Gold Pure Carnauba Wax and Black Magic Tire Wet.

That can only mean one thing - time to get the trucks ready for the Parade.

This is not just a “wash the trucks and hope for the best” operation. Absolutely not. This is science. This is strategy. This is firehouse-level aerospace engineering with garden hoses.

There is constant review of the weather future seers’ reports. There is analysis of past call data. There is a complex logarithm developed by people who have no business using the word logarithm, all to determine the perfect window to detail the trucks with the lowest possible chance of immediately getting toned out to something muddy, smoky, wet, or generally disrespectful to chrome.

We have tall guys assigned to the high parts. Short guys assigned to the low parts. Wiry guys crawling through the cabs like raccoons in turnout gear, making sure every corner is clean and every compartment looks like we know exactly where everything is.

So, as a personal favor to the Great Barrington Fire Department, we kindly ask that between now and Monday everyone be extra careful. Please do not light anything unusual on fire. Please do not back into anything. Please do not discover that your grill “has been acting weird for a while.” Please do not test gravity from a ladder. Please do not turn a simple family cookout into a case study. It will really help keep the trucks clean.

Memorial Day will look a little different this year in Great Barrington. There will not be the traditional parade in Housatonic. We encourage you to join us Monday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget’s / Greenlawn Cemetery on Van Deusenville Road in Housatonic. There will be a parade through Main Street in great Barrington, beginning at Dresser Avenue, kicking off at 11:00 a.m. and end in front of Town Hall as we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Enjoy the weekend. Be safe. Be patient. Be smart. Help us keep the trucks shiny for at least a few hours.

And as always, call us if you need us, We’ll be here for you.

05/20/2026

Flags across the Commonwealth are being lowered today to honor the life and legacy, and in recognition of the passing, of former United States Congressman from Massachusetts, Barney Frank.

Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings beginning immediately today, May 20, 2026, until sunset on the day of interment, in honor of the life and legacy, and in recognition of the passing, of former United States Congressman from Massachusetts, Barney Frank.

05/06/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with MSP and the family of Trooper Kevin Trainor. Flags across the Commonwealth are at half staff.

The Massachusetts State Police announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Kevin Trainor, 30, who was senselessly killed this morning by a wrong-way driver.

At the conclusion of his public safety detail shortly before 2 a.m., Trooper Trainor began his commute home. Minutes later, 911 received a call reporting a wrong-way driver traveling South on Route 1 North in Lynnfield. Several dedicated Troopers converged on the area and located the vehicle traveling the wrong way at 2:03 a.m. One minute later, at 2:04 a.m., the vehicle collided with Trooper Trainor’s cruiser.

While nothing will ever repair the pain we feel today, we make a solemn promise to never forget Trooper Trainor and his service to the Commonwealth. Kevin served as a Corrections Officer in Essex County before joining the State Police as a member of the 88th Recruit Training Troop. In his decorated career, he mentored new Troopers as a Field Training Officer or “Trooper Coach,” earned a place on the prestigious Troop Community Action Team, set the standard for professionalism, and patrolled our roads with a singular focus: keeping the people of this Commonwealth safe.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Trooper Trainor’s classmates have shared stories of his genuine care and concern for others. As one person put it, “he was the guy you wanted as your backup.”

Colonel Noble said in his remarks this afternoon, “Make no mistake: Trooper Trainor saved lives this morning. His courage – his commitment to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth and put his life on the line – prevented an even greater tragedy. He will be remembered as a hero.”

We deeply appreciate the outpouring of support from our Governor, the Secretary of Public Safety, and friends in Massachusetts and across the country. We will remember and honor this extraordinary man, son, fiancée, and friend who gave his life for others.

05/01/2026

Dreaming of pancakes? Thinking about pancakes? Smelling imaginary pancakes already? Good news - your subconscious is right.

The Great Barrington Fire Department Support Group Pancake Breakfast is this Sunday 5/3/26 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the State Road Station.

We will have pancakes. A lot of pancakes. Possibly more pancakes than is strictly necessary. Syrup will be deployed in quantities normally reserved for emergency operations. Butter will be applied with confidence and authority.

Firefighters will be on scene. Coffee will be flowing. No turnout gear required. No alarms will sound unless someone flips a pancake too aggressively.

Bring your family, bring your neighbors, bring someone who claims they’re “not that hungry” and watch that change immediately.

Sunday. 8–12. State Road Fire Station.

Arrive hungry. Leave suspiciously full.

04/30/2026

The Great Barrington Fire Department would like to extend our sincere thanks to Jason Maronde and the team at Fairview Hospital for hosting our members for dinner - which was delicious, a comprehensive tour of the facility, and a detailed overview of the hospital’s upcoming expansion project.

Opportunities like this are extremely valuable for our firefighters. Walking the building, reviewing access points, identifying utility locations, understanding specialized medical spaces, and discussing site-specific hazards directly with hospital staff helps ensure we are better prepared to respond quickly, safely, and effectively should an emergency occur. Familiarity with complex facilities such as Fairview Hospital is a critical part of pre-incident planning and strengthens coordination between responders and healthcare professionals when it matters most.

We also appreciated the chance to learn more about the hospital’s future expansion plans and how those changes will shape the campus in the years ahead. Early coordination like this helps us anticipate operational considerations and continue supporting Fairview’s mission to serve the community.

Thank you again to Jason and the entire Fairview team for their hospitality, partnership, and continued commitment to working alongside the fire department to keep our community safe.