Frequently Asked Questions

Open burning is regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the open burning season conducted from January 15th through May 1st of each year. Our Burning Permit Application Process has gone computerized. To obtain a burning permit you can visit Town of Franklin website. Once you obtain your permit, you may burn any allowable day during the season, between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. You must call for permission to burn. There are restrictions on what is permissible to burn. You need a permit each year and it is valid for the whole season.

According to Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) (Chapter 148 Section 26F) all buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes upon the sale or transfer, shall be equipped by the seller with approved smoke alarms/MGL Chapter 148 section 26F. An operating smoke alarm is required on every habitable level, including the basement. Finished attic spaces also need smoke detector coverage.

No, the fire department does not have the capacity to recharge fire extinguishers. According to Massachusetts General Law, we are not permitted to recommend the services of companies to perform services. Therefore, if you need a fire extinguisher recharged, we recommend you consul the business directory in your telephone book or online search for fire extinguisher companies.

We recommend that you test your alarms on a monthly basis. You can do this with most alarms by pressing the test button for a few seconds. This is also a good time to discuss and review your home fire exit plan with those who live with you.

A tour of any fire station can be arranged by calling our business telephone number 508-528-2323, select option 6. Our SAFE Officer, Doug Perro, is responsible for public education and can arrange for your tour.

No!

The propane cylinders still have product in them and should be disposed of properly. If you wish to dispose of a propane cylinder you must first insure that it is empty, then remove the control valve and rinse the tank with water. Once this is complete, you may bring the cylinder to the transfer station on Beaver Street.

No. Current State law does not require the homeowner to remove an underground storage tank for home heating oil. Tanks must be removed if they have been identified as leaking or if they have not been used in the previous 24 months. The oil can only be used for heating the building and domestic hot water. If the tank supplies fuel for other equipment such as an emergency generator, other guidelines become effective. The tank can remain in place but must meet requirements for corrosion protection and annual testing for leaks. However, if you are selling your home, you must remove the tank prior to obtaining a Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Compliance Certificate.

The Franklin Fire Department operates the emergency ambulance services, with all of our staff having some degree of emergency medical training, most certified at the paramedic level. During a medical emergency minutes, in fact seconds count! The response of the closest emergency vehicle to your emergency brings trained firefighter emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics to your home within minutes. Emergency life saving equipment such as oxygen, semi-automatic defibrillator and other medical equipment are carried on the fire engine for use by these trained firefighters. Additional staff on a fire engine also provides rapid assistance in cases it is necessary to have extra trained personnel to assist in moving stretchers through buildings, particularly when stairways or slippery conditions are encountered. This helps to reduce to department personnel handling unwieldy stretchers and heavy patients. It is also necessary to have more than two people perform certain treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other advanced life support functions while moving a patient. At traffic accidents the fire engine personnel assist in keeping the area safe if there are fuel spills, and help in extricating the person from the wreckage.