by Ann Krawet
Aside from fighting home and outdoor fires, our Becket Volunteer Fire Department responds to vehicular accidents, conducts Search and Rescue missions for lost hikers, performs water and ice rescues, assists the Highway Department and Police with equipment and manpower, sets up a landing site for Medivac rescues, helps drain flooded basements, and, of course, retrieves the proverbial cat stranded in a tree. They field approximately 120 calls a year, with summertime being the busiest.
They also host an annual kindergarten visit and teach the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” injury prevention techniques to our kids during school visits, sponsor Christmas and Halloween events, and participate in the town’s Memorial Day parade.
Their motivation to volunteer? Bob Healy Sr. explained: “When I was 10 years old and our house was burning, I was glad someone showed up. If you have the belief that you can make a difference, then make a difference.”
There are 14 active members. Ideally, the town would like to have 20 fully trained firefighters so they are actively recruiting additional volunteers. No prior experience is necessary and volunteers train on the job. The team emphasized that volunteers with different skill sets are appreciated and valuable. It is important to note that, of the 14 current members, two are women. Becket was the first in the State to incorporate women into the team and highly encourages more women to apply. For now, when extra help is needed, surrounding towns are called to provide “mutual aid”.
Training takes place at regional and state locations and in-house at both firehouse locations (locations listed below). Diverse situations require different skills: hazard training, controlled burns, first responder for fentanyl/drug overdoses, mass casualties, active shooter, electric battery fires, railroad track fires, and more. Since Becket is over 50 square miles, having two firehouses is helpful. Fire fighters from both stations will respond to all calls although for minor calls only one station will send a truck. Also, since distance from a firehouse and age of equipment are among determinants for fire insurance costs, having two fire houses and modern equipment becomes an advantage for many residents.
Our volunteer fire department has come a long way from its inception in 1925. Emergency 911 calls are dispatched by the Berkshire County Sheriff to the designated firehouse, the members via beepers, along with detailed individual and group texts. It was much different fifty years ago when someone would be assigned to push a button that activated the siren. And today, equipment is more advanced – air masks are individually fitted and assigned, and oxygen packs, which are lighter than older models, have built-in thermal cameras. A 3,000-gallon tanker truck sits near the engine. A new full-size engine to replace the 1989 model is scheduled for delivery in November.
The members take great pride in their accomplishments, their camaraderie and in keeping our community safe. Trophies and awards for stellar performance throughout the years cover the walls.
Their advice to residents:
– House numbers must be visible on the house and by the road.
– If you don’t have one, order 911 Signs (on the town website).
– Update your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
– Clean your chimney of debris and creosote buildup.
FIREHOUSE LOCATIONS: 629 Jacobs Ladder Road (near the Sherwood Forest community) &
108 Washington St. (just beyond the Becket Athenaeum and Becket Arts Center)
CONTACT: Paul Mikaniewicz, Fire Chief 413-623-8760; 413-623-2185 (for open burn permits)
Photos by Ann Krawet
