Cambridge Fire Department

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

Population:
* residential 101,000
* daytime 400,000
* Diverse ethnic backgrounds & cultures

Area: 6.25 square miles

Density: 16,000 people/square mile

Founded: as "Newtowne" in 1630

Renamed: "Cambridge" in 1638

Incorporated as a City: 1846

Government:
* City Manager executive
* Elected 9 member city council

Geographic situation:
* On the Charles River opposite Boston
* Middlesex County
* Commonwealth of Massachusetts
* Elevation from sea level to 40 feet
* Bordered by Boston, Watertown, Belmont, Arlington, and Somerville

Profile:
* Educational, research, and hi-tech center
* Manufacturing and bio-technology center
* Over 100 hi-rise buildings
* Home of Harvard University, Radcliffe College, Lesley College, Cambridge College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
* Much of housing stock pre-1945
* Three hospitals, 1 penal institution
* Subway traverses length of city
* More than 6 1/2 miles of river waterfront
* Many historical buildings and sites

City of Cambridge Home Page
www.cambridgema.gov

FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Cambridge Fire Department was established by an act of the state legislature on March 17, 1832 with a suppression force of 6 engines and 1 ladder truck. Today the Department is a professional organization which provides fire protection, emergency medical service, heavy rescue service, and protection to the environment. The Cambridge Fire Department is staffed by 274 sworn members and 8 civilian members under command of Chief Engineer Gerald R. Reardon The Department is a member of Metrofire, the Boston area mutual aid network. Thirty four cities and towns, including Massport, participate in Metrofire.

The Department consists of 2 Fire Suppression Divisions and 4 Staff Divisions. Suppression companies operate from 8 fire houses strategically located throughout the city. The Fire Investigations Unit investigates undetermined, suspicious, and incendiary fires.

The sworn members of the department maintain membership in Local 30, International Association of Firefighters, Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, AFL/CIO/CLC. Local 30 is the oldest local in the commonwealth.

Headquarters: 491 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

• Chief Engineer: Gerald R. Reardon
• Chief of Operations: John J. Gelinas
• Administration: 12
• Fire Prevention: 4
• Technical Management: 5
• Training: 2
• Fire Suppression: 255

Fiscal Year 2003/04 Statistics:
Total Responses: 31,052
Total Incidents: 12,260

Busiest Engine: Engine 2 (2881 runs)
Busiest Truck: Truck 1 (2406 runs)
Busiest Rescue: Rescue 1 (3137 runs)
Busiest Division Chief: Division 1 (2004 runs)

Contact Information: