2009-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Wild Fire Planning In 2009 this department joined the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge partners in mitigation efforts to prevent a major wildfire from occurring in the Refuge. Led by Federal Fire Crews from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the main dirt roadways in the refuge were improved for fire department access. Future plans include road signage, more roadway improvements and vegetation control (mechanical and prescription burning). In Late 2009 Mashpee received a grant from the Barnstable County Extension Service for wildfire Mitigation on Town Conservation Lands. Led by Mashpee Public works and additional fire access road and a vegetation reduced buffer were created at the Mashpee River Woodlands off Mashpee Neck Road. Similar to the efforts in the Refuge, this project targets an identified fire risk with known risk reduction practices. The Future Budget planning for Fiscal 2011 is leaning towards a budget that will require a 2% or more reduction in funding. It is my fear that this drastic reduction will cripple our operational effectiveness due to the fact that daily staffing levels may be reduced to a minimum of 5 persons per day on duty year round and expense spending for repairs will be reduced. As in the past, this department is prepared to adapt and continue to provide the best services possible. Thank you I Thank you to the Board of Selectmen for their confidence in each and every member of the department. Thank you to the administration, department heads and the members of every town department. Your support and assistance is critical for us to complete our mission. On behalf of this department, I thank you, our community, for your continued support and appreciation of our work. Respectfully submitted, George W. Baker Fire Chief Emergency Response Statistics Response Description 2008 2009 FIRES Private Dwellings 17 15 Apartments 7 4 Hotels & Motels 0 0 All Other Residential 0 3 TOTAL RESIDENTIAL FIRES 24 22 Public Assembly 1 0 Schools & Colleges 0 0 Health Care & Penal Institutions 0 0 120