Barnstable Fire Department

10/10/2026

🔥 Fire Prevention Week May Be Ending — But Fire Safety Never Does! 🔥

As we wrap up Fire Prevention Week 2026, the Barnstable Fire Department would like to thank everyone who followed along and helped us share this year’s important message: “Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!” 🔋⚡

While Fire Prevention Week gives us an opportunity each year to focus on fire safety, preventing fires is something we all need to think about 365 days a year. Simple actions, using the right chargers, charging devices safely, maintaining working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, having an escape plan, and recognizing potential hazards around the home, can make a tremendous difference.

Fire prevention starts with each of us. Take what you’ve learned this week, share it with your family and friends, and make fire-safe habits part of your everyday routine.

From all of us at the Barnstable Fire Department, thank you for helping us keep our homes, families, and community safe.

🔥 Fire Prevention Week ends. Fire prevention never does.

Stay safe, Barnstable!

Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)

10/10/2026

🛏️ Soft Surface? Hard Pass!

Charging your phone on the bed or couch may be convenient, but it isn't the safest place to do it.

Phones, tablets, laptops, chargers, and other electronics naturally create heat while charging. Soft surfaces such as beds, pillows, blankets, and couches can trap that heat and restrict airflow, increasing the chance that the battery will overheat.

Instead, charge devices on a hard, flat surface such as a table, desk, countertop, or bare floor.

And remember: Never place a charging device underneath a pillow or blanket.

⚡ Small action. Big impact. Safe charging is a superpower!

Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)

10/09/2026

🔋 100% Charged? Time to Unplug!

Once your phone, tablet, laptop, or other device is fully charged, unplug it from the charger.

Leaving devices plugged in unnecessarily can increase heat and place additional stress on the battery. Making a habit of unplugging devices when they're fully charged is one of the easiest ways to practice safer charging.

Take a look around your home today. Is something still plugged in that doesn't need to be?

⚡ Small action. Big impact.

Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)

10/08/2026

🔥 Feels Hot? Stop Using It.

Your battery-powered devices can give you warning signs when something isn't right.

Stop using a device immediately if it becomes unusually hot, begins to swell, smells strange, leaks, smokes, or makes popping or hissing sounds. These can be signs that the battery is damaged or failing and could potentially overheat or start a fire.

Don't ignore the warning signs. If you believe a battery is creating an immediate fire hazard or a fire has started, get to a safe location and call 911.

⚡ Small action. Big impact.

Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)

10/07/2026

🔌 Cheap Charger? Don’t Chance It.

That inexpensive replacement charger might seem like a bargain, but using the wrong charger can damage a battery and increase the risk of fire.

Always use the charging cord and charger that came with your device or one specifically approved by the manufacturer. When purchasing battery-powered products, look for products listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, ETL, or CSA.

Saving a few dollars on an off-brand charger isn't worth compromising safety.

⚡ Small action. Big impact.

Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)

10/06/2026

🔋 For Tools and Rides, Charge Outside!

E-bikes, e-scooters, power tools, and other larger battery-powered devices have become part of everyday life — but where you charge them matters.

Whenever possible, charge larger battery-powered items outside and always keep them away from exits and escape routes. Larger lithium-ion batteries store more energy, which means a fire can grow quickly if a battery fails.

Never let a charging e-bike or scooter stand between you and the way out of your home.

⚡ Small action. Big impact.

Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)

10/06/2026

🔥 Fire Prevention Week 2026: Safe Charging Is a Superpower! 🔋
This week, the Barnstable Fire Department joins fire departments across the country in recognizing Fire Prevention Week™.
This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!”, focuses on something most of us do every day — charging our phones, tablets, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, scooters, and countless other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries.
These batteries store a tremendous amount of energy in a small space. When damaged, improperly charged, or used with the wrong equipment, they can overheat and cause a fire. The good news is that small changes in the way we charge our devices can make a big difference. NFPA
Over the next five days, we’ll be sharing one simple charging safety tip each day. We encourage everyone to take a few moments to read and share them with family and friends.
⚡ Small action. Big impact. Safe charging is a superpower!
Learn more from the NFPA Fire Prevention Week website.

Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)

10/02/2026

🔥 Hands-On Training at an Acquired Structure 🔥

Today, members of the Barnstable Fire Department had a valuable opportunity to train in a real-world environment at a local home scheduled for demolition.

Thanks to the generosity and cooperation of the homeowner and builder, our firefighters were able to spend the day conducting realistic scenarios throughout the structure using theatrical smoke to simulate limited-visibility conditions.

Crews rotated through several critical fireground skills, including:

🚒 Search and rescue operations
🚒 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) training
🚒 Advancing and maneuvering hose lines
🚒 Forcible entry
🚒 Roof operations and ventilation

Training in an acquired structure provides an experience that is difficult to replicate at a training facility. It allows our members to work in an unfamiliar building, encounter realistic obstacles, and practice the teamwork, communication, and decision-making required during an actual emergency.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the homeowner and builder for allowing us to use the property before demolition. Opportunities like this are incredibly valuable to our members and ultimately help us provide a higher level of service to our community.

We would also like to recognize Captain Tuepker, Captain Black, and Deputy Chief Kevin Brailey for the time and effort they put into coordinating and overseeing today’s training.

A great day of hands-on training and another opportunity to sharpen the skills we rely on when our community needs us most.

Train hard. Work together. Be ready.
Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable County Government
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)
State Representative Kip Diggs
Julian Cyr
U.S. Representative Bill Keating

09/29/2026

🚒 EXCITING NEWS FOR THE BARNSTABLE FIRE DEPARTMENT! 🚒

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Barnstable Fire Department has been awarded a $1,386,845.10 Fiscal Year 2025 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency.
This significant federal grant award will provide partial funding over three years to support the addition of six new career firefighter positions to the Barnstable Fire Department.

As our community continues to grow and our calls for service continue to increase, maintaining appropriate staffing is critical to our ability to safely and effectively respond to emergencies. These six additional firefighters would strengthen our shift staffing, improve our ability to manage simultaneous incidents, and enhance the overall operational readiness and resiliency of the Barnstable Fire Department.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to U.S. Representative Bill Keating, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Edward J. Markey and their respective staffs for their continued support of the Barnstable Fire Department and the fire service. Their advocacy and support for federal programs such as SAFER help provide communities like ours with the resources necessary to strengthen public safety and better protect our residents and visitors.

We are also grateful to everyone who supported our application and helped make this opportunity possible.

This award represents a tremendous investment in the future of the Barnstable Fire Department, the safety of our firefighters, and the community we are proud to serve.

More to come as we take the next steps!
Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Government Access
Barnstable Village Association
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)
State Representative Kip Diggs
Julian Cyr

09/27/2026

Barnstable Ladder 1 (Group 3) and Car 1 (Chief Beal) responded mutual aid to this fire this morning. Great job by first arriving units on a quick stop.
Barnstable Fire Department
Barnstable Firefighters L-3276
Town of Barnstable

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2026

West Barnstable Fire Department Responds to Structure Fire on Hollyhock Drive

On September 27, 2026, the West Barnstable Fire Department was alerted to a possible structure fire at 4 Hollyhock Drive in West Barnstable. A first alarm assignment brought a West Barnstable engine, tanker, and two chief officers to the scene, along with an engine from COMM Fire, a ladder truck and chief officer from Barnstable Fire, an engine from Sandwich Fire, and a tanker from Joint Base Cape Cod. An engine from Cotuit Fire also responded to the scene, while a Hyannis Fire engine covered the West Barnstable station.

Crews extinguished fire in the basement and first floor and conducted overhaul operations. The fire was brought under control at 11:22 a.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the West Barnstable Fire Department, the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office.

No injuries to civilians or fire personnel were reported. The West Barnstable Fire Department thanks its mutual aid partners for their assistance.