Southbridge Fire Department

06/23/2026

🚒 The Rising Cost of Firefighting 🚒

Providing emergency services has never been more expensive. The cost of firefighter protective equipment, radios, breathing apparatus, and fire apparatus has increased dramatically over the past several years.

While costs continue to rise, our commitment to protecting the Southbridge community remains unchanged.

🚒🔥

06/22/2026

Ernest C. St.Germain, Jr., 80, died June 19, 2026, at UMass Memorial Health/Harrington Hospital after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Gail (Duchesneau) St. Germain whom he married August 29, 1970.

He also leaves 3 sons: Steven St. Germain and his wife Sheila of New London, NC, David St. Germain of W. Brookfield, Michael St. Germain and his wife Cynthia of W. Brookfield. He also leaves 3 grandsons: Michael St. Germain, Christopher St. Germain and Wyatt St. Germain, his brother Ralph St. Germain of Southbridge, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his 2 sisters Janice Klebart and Jacqueline Buksar both of Webster.

Ernie was born in Dudley, February 10, 1946, son of Ernest C. and Rosalie (Rock) St. Germain and lived in Southbridge.

He was a retired Lieutenant on the Southbridge Fire Department from January 31, 1971 ~ February 24, 2001, and previously served on the Dudley Fire Department for 10 years. Ernie was a veteran of the US Army.

In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and metal detecting, and spending time with his family.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, June 24, 2026 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at Sansoucy Funeral Home, 40 Marcy Street, Southbridge, MA 01550. A Funeral Mass will be Thursday, June 25 2026 at 11 AM in St. Mary’s Church, 263 Hamilton Street, Southbridge. Please meet directly at church. Burial with Military and Fire Fighter Honors will immediately follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Oak Ridge Avenue, Southbridge. Flowers are acceptable, or memorial donations may be made to either The American Cancer Society, 3 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701, or to the Southbridge Firefighters Local 2194, 24 Elm Street, Southbridge, MA 01550.

Ernest C. St.Germain, Jr., 80, died June 19, 2026, at UMass Memorial Health/Harrington Hospital after a brief illness. He is survived by his...

06/17/2026

🚑🫀 Keeping Southbridge at the Forefront of Emergency Care! 🫀🚑

Last week, ALS Coordinator Michael Struppa and Firefighter Paramedic Hensley, attended the Advanced Cardiac Resuscitation Course hosted by Worcester EMS and ZOLL.

This outstanding program provided the latest evidence-based updates in adult and pediatric cardiac arrest care and equipped participants with valuable skills and knowledge that can be brought back to Southbridge Fire & EMS. These advancements help improve patient care and increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for those experiencing cardiac emergencies.

At Southbridge Fire & EMS, we believe that learning never stops. Ongoing training and professional development are essential to providing the highest level of service to our community, and we are proud of our members' commitment to excellence.

A special thank you to Worcester EMS and ZOLL for offering this incredible educational opportunity!

💙🚒 Your Southbridge Fire & EMS team remains dedicated to training, growing, and delivering the very best care to those we serve.

06/17/2026

🚒 JOIN THE SOUTHBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT! 🚒

Ready for a new challenge? Looking to continue your career with a department that values tradition, embraces progress, and is building for the future?

🔥 The Southbridge Fire Department is actively hiring Career Firefighter/EMTs and Paramedics of ALL levels!

✅ Positions are OPEN UNTIL FILLED
✅ Lateral Transfers Encouraged
✅ Competitive Salary & EMS Stipends
✅ Tuition Reimbursement
✅ Paid EMS Continuing Education
✅ 70/30 Health Insurance
✅ Specialty Team Opportunities
✅ Progressive Cancer Prevention Program
✅ Opportunities for Advancement
✅ Brand-New Fire Station Opening in 2026!

Whether you're just starting your career or are an experienced firefighter looking for a fresh opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

🚨 Experienced members considering a lateral move are strongly encouraged to apply!

📍 Southbridge, Massachusetts
📞 (508) 764-5417
🌐 www.southbridgemass.gov

📣 Help us spread the word! Share this post with firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics who may be looking for their next opportunity.

06/16/2026

Today, Group 2 took some time between incidents and scheduled training to treat several students from Charlton Street School to a special tour of Engine 3.

These students earned perfect attendance throughout the school year, and they had an excellent time learning about the fire service. They got an up-close look at some of the equipment carried on the apparatus and even had the opportunity to operate a water can fire extinguisher.

Congratulations to these outstanding students on their dedication and achievement.

Thank you to Charlton Street School for allowing us to share a little bit about what we do. We always enjoy the opportunity to inspire the next generation and give back to our community.

🚒🔥👨‍🚒

06/10/2026

May 2026 By The Numbers:

The Southbridge Fire Department responded to 371 emergencies in May, including 297 EMS calls and 74 fire-related incidents.

Nearly 1 in 4 calls (98) occurred while crews were already handling another emergency, demonstrating the importance of staffing, multiple units, and great mutual aid partners available when needed.

As of June 1, our department has responded to 1,793 incidents in 2026.

06/04/2026

Last night, the Southbridge Fire Department was proud to recognize the graduating students of the Southbridge High School Fire and Emergency Services Class. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to learning the skills of the fire and emergency services profession have set a strong foundation for your future.

At the end of the presentations, Southbridge Permanent Firefighters Local 2194 presented one of the students, Awsam Khalil, with a scholarship to assist with him with pursuing further education in EMS following graduation.

We are proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to seeing the positive impact you’ll make in the community and beyond. Best of luck in your next chapter!

06/03/2026

About one year ago, we broke ground on our new fire station. Today, we are more than halfway through construction and watching our vision become a reality.

Every week brings visible progress, and it is exciting to see the facility taking shape. This project represents a significant investment in the future of public safety, ensuring that our firefighters, EMS personnel, and community are served by a modern facility for decades to come.

We remain on schedule for an estimated ribbon-cutting ceremony in November 2026 and look forward to sharing more updates as construction continues

05/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BdfSW8Bp5/

05/27/2026

🚭🔥 PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE 🔥🚭

Over the past several weeks, the Southbridge Fire Department has seen an increase in fires and hazardous situations caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials throughout the community.
Discarded ci******es and smoking materials continue to be a leading cause of mulch fires, brush fires, and even structure fires. With warmer weather and dry conditions, even a small ember can quickly ignite and spread.

Please help keep our community safe by:
▪ Properly extinguishing ci******es and ci**rs
▪ Using proper ashtrays or non-combustible containers
▪ Never throwing smoking materials from vehicles
▪ Never discarding ci******es into mulch beds, flower pots, wooded areas, or dry grass
▪ Ensuring smoking materials are completely out before placing them in trash containers

A few extra seconds of caution can prevent a devastating fire.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our neighborhoods, homes, and first responders.

Chief Paul F. Normandin Jr.
Southbridge Fire Department

Please see the attached PSA from the State Fire Marshall's Office

https://youtu.be/JNL-hMZcCmQ?si=A5_Mf7kZBqFru18W