Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association

Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association

Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association Congratulates Quincy Fire Chief John Cadegan on His Retirement

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President Jeffrey Lynch and the fire chiefs of Norfolk County would like to congratulate Quincy Fire Department Chief John Cadegan on his recent retirement after 35 years on the job.

Chief Cadegan joined the department as a firefighter in 1985, serving with Ladder 2 in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2007 and later became certified as a Massachusetts EMT Emergency Medical Technician.

In 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and was named Deputy Fire Chief three years later. 

Upon being appointed Fire Chief in December 2018, Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch commended Chief Cadegan on being a highly respected member of the department with an excellent knowledge of the challenges and different situations present in modern-day firefighting. 

Chief Cadegan replaced Fire Chief Joseph Barron, who himself retired after a 40-year career of service.

Deputy Chief Joe Jackson will serve as acting chief of the department until a full-time replacement is hired. 

“Chief Cadegan had a long and respected career that spanned 35 years,” said Lynch, Chief of the Medway Fire Department. “We wish him well in his retirement.”

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Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association Warns Parents of Troubling Viral Teen Video Resulting in Fire Incidents

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NORFOLK — President Jeffrey Lynch and the Fire Chiefs of Norfolk County would like to warn parents of a new viral teen video trend that may result in fire incidents.

State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey released an advisory today to inform the general public of two incidents that have taken place in Massachusetts.

The challenge seen on the popular video app, TikTok, involves partially inserting the plug of a phone charger into an electrical outlet and sliding a penny down the wall onto the exposed metal prongs. This action results in sparks and can cause electrical system damage and, in some cases, a fire. To view the video of the challenge click here.

The Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association would like to provide the following electrical fire safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration:

  • Insert plugs fully into sockets.
  • If you have young children, install tamper-resistant electrical outlets.
  • Replace wall outlets if plugs do not fit tightly.
  • Do not overload outlets.
  • Never force a three-pronged plug into a two-slot outlet.

In addition to electrical fire safety, The Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association would like to remind parents and children to discuss the dangers of certain online challenges and trends and recognizing dangerous activity on the internet.

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Norfolk County Spotlight: Canton Fire Department

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Throughout the year, the Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Association will feature a different fire department in the county and highlight some of the news and important events they have going on.

Canton Fire Department

Graduation news

Chief Charles Doody is pleased to report that Canton Firefighter/Paramedics Austin McGonagle (Class 275) and Michael Pastor (Class 276) graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy this summer. Both firefighters performed internships at Canton Fire through the Canton High School internship program in 2016.

Three additional firefighters are currently assigned to recruit training at the fire academy as part of Class 278.  Their graduation date is Monday, Dec. 2.

Fire response

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Canton Fire Department responded to a 3-alarm fire on 40 Boathouse Road. Eight mutual aid communities assisted Canton at the fire. The fire began on the outside deck and extended into the attic. There were no injuries and the cause was ruled to be accidental.

Firefighter training

The department was recently notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that it was awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $85,718 for firefighter safety and survival training.  All firefighters will undergo training in rapid intervention team tactics and live fire training.

Open House is Oct. 19

The Canton Fire Department will hold its annual Open House during Fire Prevention Week on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Canton Fire Headquarters, 99 Revere St.  Visitors will see demonstrations of the department’s hydraulic extrication tool and a live burn showing the effectiveness of residential sprinklers.

Needham Fire Chief Dennis Condon Sworn In as 97th President of Fire Chief’s Association of Massachusetts

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Chief Condon New Head of FCAM

WELLESLEY — Needham Fire Chief Dennis Condon was sworn in as the 97th President of the Fire Chief’s Association of Massachusetts on Tuesday, May 14.

A ceremony was held at the Wellesley Country Club and was attended by fire chiefs throughout Massachusetts.

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Norfolk County Fire Chiefs Visit Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

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WASHINGTON D.C. — Several Massachusetts fire chiefs attended a legislative breakfast at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. on Thursday, May 9. U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Congressman Stephen Lynch, Congressman Joe Kennedy, Congressman Jim McGovern and presidential candidate and Congressman Seth Moulton attended the event and addressed the chiefs offering their ongoing support for important programs like the SAFER Grant, AFG Grant and Cancer Registry Act.

From left-to-right: Canton Fire Chief Charles Doody, Medway Fire Chief Jeffrey Lynch, Avon Fire Chief Robert Spurr, Needham Fire Chief Dennis Condon, Wellesley Fire Chief Richard Delorie, Holbrook Fire Chief Luke McFadden, Randolph Fire Chief Richard Donovan, Sharon Fire Chief James Wright, Foxoboro Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, Norwood Fire Chief George Morrice and Milton Fire Chief Jack Grant.