Fire and Burn Prevention and Education Program

July 2, 2019

The Hanover Fire Department, in conjunction with the Hanover Board of Health, is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has accepted the Department’s Fire and
Burn Prevention and Education Program as one of only 9 approved Community EMS Programs in Massachusetts. This approval recognizes the continuing efforts of the Department to enhance and
implement community risk reduction measures that directly benefit the most vulnerable residents in Hanover. Additionally, approval of this Community EMS Program is the first step in an ongoing process
that encompasses the efforts of multiple health delivery partners in community toward improving the healthcare delivery to the residents of Hanover.

Community EMS (CEMS) Programs are a new initiative by DPH to provide a collaborative system that addresses illness or injury prevention through high value public health services in the community.
Community EMS Programs are operated by a local public health authority in partnership with the local Emergency Medical Services providers. CEMS Program applicants may apply to operate one or more
pre-established evidence-based, illness and injury prevention services based on the needs of their community.

The Hanover Fire Department Fire and Burn Prevention and Education Program includes an educational component as well as a home safety initiative delivered by Department Fire & Life Safety Educators. The
educational component includes fire safety lectures and other presentations delivered to attendees at several events and locations throughout the year in the community. The home safety component
involves a Fire & Life Safety Educator scheduling a home visit with residents who are referred into the Program by either a partnering agency or through firefighters during the course of a fire or EMS related
call. The home visit will include an Educator reviewing numerous items with the resident utilizing a check-list approach. If a resident may require additional services, a referral would be made to the
appropriate agency. The visit concludes with the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at no cost to the resident.

For additional information, please contact Deputy Chief Jason Cavallaro or the Department’s Fire & Life Safety Education Coordinator Eric Johnson; 781-826-3151 x3126 or eric.johnson@hanover-ma.gov