NORTH ATTLEBORO – Members of the North Attleboro Firefighters PFFM Local 1992 say their response to the fire on Juniper Road this week was put in jeopardy due to short staffing.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone impacted by yesterday’s devastating 7-alarm fire on Juniper Road. While the smoke has cleared, there is a reality that must be addressed: Our department, along with our mutual aid partners, are operating at a dangerously thin margin,” stated the union in a post. “Yesterday, the men and women of D Platoon were forced to face every firefighter’s worst nightmare. With two ambulances already tied up at the hospital, just nine personnel arrived on the initial scene of a large multi-unit structure fire.”
These nine firefighters did the work of 30, said the union.
“They battled not just the flames, but the exhaustion of being severely under-staffed. To see what they accomplished with such limited manpower is a testament to their grit, their training, and their unwavering commitment to this town.”
Added the union, “The politics of staffing don’t change the physics of fire, but they certainly change the risks our members take. Despite being stretched to the breaking point, Local 1992 will continue to show up. We will continue to put our lives on the line for you, regardless of the numbers on the roster or the debates at Town Hall. To the men and women of D Platoon: Your actions yesterday were a masterclass in professional bravery. Huge thank you to our mutual aid partners who flooded in to boost our lines: We quite literally could not have done this without you.”
