Stoughton Fire Exceeds Mutual Aid Ambulance Request Projection

STOUGHTON, MA — Stoughton Fire Chief Michael Laracy recently told the selectmen his department was on pace to end the year with 468 mutual aid ambulance requests. Not only did the department hit the number, they went over by a few calls.

According to data provided by Stoughton Fire Local 1512 President Leon Silva, the Stoughton Fire Department needed to request aid because they were unable to dispatch an ambulance 479 times. Avon provided the most aid, responding to 155 requests, with Canton responding to the second most calls with 132. Sharon responded 77 times, Randolph 75 times, Easton 46 times, and Brockton 12 times.

Canton additionally provided an engine 16 times and Avon responded to fire and engine calls 12 times, in addition to providing a ladder for one call. Easton and Randolph responded seven times, Sharon provided an engine or ladder seven times, and Brockton provided a ladder once in 2016.

During 2016, the fire department responded to 5,395 calls.

An increase in staff has been a hot button issue for the fire department. Last month, Laracy said he included four new positions in his upcoming budget and plans to add more staff either through the budget or a federal grant.

Image: File photo