Hatfield Fire Chief Warns Board of Dangerous Staffing Shortfall Heading Into Budget Season

HATFIELD — December 8, 2021 — Hatfield Fire Chief warns of staffing crisis, seeks $160,000 for paid evening and weekend shifts. Chief Robert Flaherty told the Select Board at its December 8 meeting that the all-call volunteer department is responding to fire scenes with as few as one or two firefighters, far below the 16-person minimum recommended by the National Fire Protection Association for structure fires. Flaherty said he personally responded to 126 of the department's 212 ambulance calls this year and estimated that roughly $45,000 in ambulance revenue was lost to mutual aid handoffs due to understaffing; in October, a mutual aid unit from Goshen had to cover a Hatfield call because no local crew was available. The full cost of 16-hour daily coverage — staffed by a paramedic and a basic EMT from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. — is estimated at $160,000 per year, with a weekend-only option running approximately $19,000. Flaherty is also applying for a SAFER grant, which would cover new hires' full salary and benefits for three years if awarded.