The Amherst, NH Fire Department protects approximately 10,800 residents living in a predominantly suburban and rural area of thirty-five square miles in southern New Hampshire. The town is bordered by Bedford, Merrimack, Hollis, Mont Vernon, Milford, and New Boston, NH. The Amherst Fire Department answered approximately 300 calls in 2002. The Department provides fire suppression, extrication, technical and water rescue, and hazardous materials first response services. Amherst EMS provides separate ALS transport service to the town, answering approximately 600 calls annually. The Town of Amherst also participates in the Souhegan Mutual Aid Response Team (SMART), based in Nashua Fire-Rescue for hazardous materials technician level response.

The Department, commanded by Chief John DeSilva, operates from two stations which are strategically located in the north and south ends of the town. DeSilva, the Department's first full-time Chief, took office on April 21, 2003. One additional Firefighter/Inspector works full-time, Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1700 hours. The Department relies on 40 paid-on-call firefighters to answer emergency calls at all times of day. This consists of three Deputy Chiefs, four Captains, four Lieutenants, and twenty-nine Firefighters. All of the Department's officers must meet the minimum requirements of State Firefighter Level 2 and Incident Command System certifications.

Approximately one-third of the Town is protected by a pressurized hydrant system and the Department has an I.S.O. rating of five. The Department has also recently reached an automatic mutual aid agreement with Merrimack Fire-Rescue to have a Merrimack engine company respond to any fire incident on Route 101A.

The Department is dispatched by the Milford Area Communications Center (MAC Base), located in Milford. They are dispatched on 33.64 MHz with a PL of 136.5 and utilize 33.68 for fireground operations. Amherst is recognized within the mutual aid system by the identifier "1" preceding their apparatus number (i.e.: 1 Engine 1).

In addition to numerous housing developments, the town has several large industrial parks, commercial and chemical facilities, and retail shopping centers. Some target hazards include a large regional high school, elderly housing complexes, and several strip malls. State Routes 101, 101A, and 122 each produce many serious motor vehicle accidents annually, as thousands of commuters travel through Amherst every day.

The Department has earned excellent community and financial support, with a large Central Station built in 1988 and all relatively new front-line apparatus and equipment. Central Station also features a museum bay which houses two hand tubs and hose carts, as well as plentiful Amherst Fire Department historical memorabilia. Visitors are welcome during regular business hours.

Future plans include an immediate upgrade of the firefighters' personal protective equipment and self contained breathing apparatus. Long range plans include a merger with Amherst EMS. The Department plans to purchase a new 3,000 gallon tanker with a 1,250 GPM pump on a commercial chassis in 2005, and a new forestry unit in 2006. The Department also plans to construct living quarters in the second floor of the Central Station in 2008, primarily for storm or call coverage, but with the long range possibility of adding additional full time personnel.

Stations and Apparatus

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Central Station (Headquarters/Village District) 177 Amherst Street Amherst, NH 03031 603.673.1545

Engine 1 - 1995 Pierce Saber pumper - 1,500 GPM two stage pump, 1,000 gallon water tank, 2,400 feet four inch large diameter hose, Amkus extrication tools with two hydraulic cord reels, 5,000 watt electric generator, thermal imaging camera.

Engine 3 - 2002 Pierce Dash pumper - 1,500 GPM two stage pump, 1,300 gallon water tank, 2,400 feet four inch large diameter hose, thermal imaging camera.

Engine 4 - 1977 International Loadstar 1600/Gilbert all wheel drive forestry pumper - 750 gpm pump, 300 gallon tank.

Tower 1 - 1996 Simon-Duplex/LTI 102 foot tower ladder - Rear mounted heavy duty steel tower ladder, 12 kw PTO driven generator, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and water/ice rescue equipment.

Tanker 1 - 1982 International all wheel drive tanker - 500 gpm front-mount pump, 2,000 gallon tank, 2,100 gallon Port-a-Tank.

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Station 2 (South End District) 60 Stearns Road Amherst, NH 03031

Engine 2 - 1987 Pierce Lance pumper - 1,250 GPM two stage pump, 1,500 gallon water tank, 50 gallon Class B foam system, 2,400 feet four inch large diameter hose, Amkus extrication tools, hazardous materials containment equipment.

Engine 5 - 1991 Pierce Lance pumper - 1,750 GPM two stage pump, 750 gallon water tank, 50 gallon Class B foam system, 2,400 feet four inch large diameter hose, thermal imaging camera.

Antique Engine - 1941 Mack "L" Model parade piece - 500 gpm pump.