08/28/2026
Earlier today, fire and EMS agencies from throughout the region responded to a significant Hazardous Materials / Mass Casualty Incident in Burrillville, working alongside East Burrillville Fire Department units to provide patient care, hazardous materials mitigation, decontamination, water supply, and additional operational support.
As a result of the incident, five patients were transported to area hospitals for further evaluation and observation due to injuries, while numerous additional individuals were evaluated outside of the facility by EMS personnel.
Incidents involving hazardous materials can quickly become extremely complex and have the potential to impact a significant number of people. The rapid identification of the hazardous materials involved, combined with the quick recognition of the need for additional resources, allowed specialized teams, EMS units, and fire companies to be requested early and begin working toward controlling the situation.
The tremendous cooperation between all agencies involved was instrumental in bringing this incident under control and, most importantly, ensuring the safety of countless others who could have potentially been affected.
Pascoag Fire Department units responded with Engine 44 and Rescue 4, joining an extensive mutual aid response that included:
• Harrisville Rescue 2 and Ladder 2
• Harmony Rescue and Tanker
• West Glocester Rescue
• Douglas Rescue
• Smithfield Rescue
• Cumberland Paramedic Unit 2
• Lincoln Rescue 2, Engine 8, and Ladder 5
• Foster Rescue 1
• North Scituate Rescue
• North Providence Rescue
• Millville Tanker
• North Smithfield Tanker
• East Putnam Engine
• Woonsocket HazMat Team
• East Providence HazMat Decontamination Team
• Providence Canteen
We cannot say enough about the professionalism, teamwork, communication, and tremendous assistance provided by every department and agency involved. Large-scale incidents such as this demonstrate exactly why strong mutual aid partnerships are so important to the fire and emergency medical services.
From the initial crews who recognized the hazards and immediately began requesting the appropriate resources, to the EMS personnel evaluating and treating patients, the specialized HazMat and decontamination teams mitigating the hazard, and the firefighter's supporting operations throughout the incident—everyone involved played an important role in ensuring this incident was handled safely and effectively.
Outstanding work by East Burrillville Fire Department and every mutual aid agency involved in today’s response. This was truly a team effort and an excellent example of departments coming together when their communities need them most.
