Here is a sample of frequently asked questions we receive.

Click on the flame to see the answer to the question.   If your question isn’t listed, feel free to contact us directly:

Join Us

Contact the Fire Chief via email at [email protected] and express your interest to join.  You will be given an application and welcome packet.  Complete the form and return it to the Chief.

Applicants need to understand that we work at emergencies and have been entrusted with expensive apparatus/tools. As a result, a background (CORI) check will be conducted.

After review and approval by the chief, your training will begin and you will be given access to the fire station and given the ability to respond to calls.

The volunteers meet regularly on Tuesday evenings at either 6:30 or 7 p.m. depending upon the time of year.  The first Tuesday is dedicated to department training at the station.  Second Tuesday is a tri-town drill at a different location.  We value regular practice with neighboring departments.  Typically the department carpools from the station to these drills.  Tri-towns give you the opportunity to get to know other firefighters and for them to know you.  Third Tuesday is dedicated to maintenance of apparatus and the station.  The fourth Tuesday of the month is dedicated to our Goshen Firefighter’s Association meeting.  At these meetings we discuss and allocate funds toward achieving our many objectives.  As a member of the firefighter department, you are also a member of the Goshen Firefighters Association.

In order to be considered an active firefighter, you must attend 50% of training/meetings every 6 months.  Special considerations can be approved by the Chief on an individual basis.

The best way to prepare for emergencies is to show up to all training and calls and simply observe/learn.  There is a lot of learning from watching others and participating in small ways.  

The second best way to prepare is attending maintenance night.  When we check the apparatus, you will learn where everything is kept.  In the event of a call, it is likely you could be asked to bring a tool from an apparatus, but you must know where it is first.

Third, read and know our Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG’s).

Finally, ask questions.  We love talking about and teaching firefighting.  During training, after the call, or anytime, please ask if there is something you do not understand.

You will be assigned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) once you join.  It is your responsibility to keep the gear clean and in good working order.

When you are given apparel/items with our patch, treat it well.  Do not speed, curse, drink, or perform other immature actions while wearing our apparel. You are representing us whenever you put the GFD logo on.  Wear our logo proudly and respectfully.

All firefighters must maintain particular certifications and courses.  Below is a list of courses/certifications and typical timeline offerings:

Hampshire County Fire Academy

        • 6 one-day  classes followed by a live fire burn
        • Typically offered in spring
        • Recruits have two years to completely 6 classes

Incident Command Structure (ICS) 100, 200, 700

        • Online courses designed to familiarize firefighters with command structure
        • Only need to pass once

First Responder Certification

        • Approximately 28 hours of medical training
        • Typically offered once a year, must recertify every 3 years
        •  

CPR/AED Certification

        • One evening of training
        • typically offered once a year, must recertify every 2 years

Volunteers are alerted to emergencies using two methods: cell phone texts and pagers.  Keep your pager with you at any time you are within a responding distance and able to volunteer.  Pagers are expensive, so be careful not to lose nor damage your pager.  The pager will alert you when the GFD is “toned.”  A tone is a two pitch sound that is played when “Northampton Control” (our dispatch) needs us.  Each town has its own tone.  Our tone sounds like “bee – do.”

A pager has several modes that you can set it to: A, B, and C.  “Mode A” means that the pager will alert you via a loud “beep, beep, beep” when needed.  Current radio traffic is muted until the pager alerts you.  “Mode B” means that the pager will alert you via the same loud beeping and your pager will hear all radio traffic from Northampton Control regardless of alert.  Many firefighters utilize Mode B during the day to know if neighboring towns are called or if Highland Ambulance has been dispatched.  Finally, “Mode C”  is the quiet mode.  The pager will vibrate if the department is toned.  This mode if preferred while firefighters are asleep, at formal events, or anytime a loud alert would be disruptive.

Emergency Notifications

Inspections

Call the station at 413-268-7161 and leave a message.

House Numbering

The House Numbering Coordinator uses a measuring wheel, the assessor’s map, and the markings indicated by the property owner to determine a new house #. Within Hammond Acres, Aberdeen Drive, and West Shore Drive, new numbers are assigned every 50’.  Outside of those areas, numbers are assigned every 100’.

The House Numbering Coordinator uses a measuring wheel, the assessor’s map, and the markings indicated by the property owner to determine a new house #. Within Hammond Acres, Aberdeen Drive, and West Shore Drive, new numbers are assigned every 50’.  Outside of those areas, numbers are assigned every 100’.

The purpose of numbering houses is to assist in locating and identifying buildings in the Town of Goshen.  This project was undertaken by the Goshen Fire Department in 1992 as a first step in establishing an “Enhanced 911” system.  This system enables emergency personnel to correctly pinpoint the location of the (non-cellular) caller and swiftly respond to life threatening emergencies.

All numbers shall be located on the street side of the house, 6 feet above the yard level, to the right side of the front door.  If the house is located in excess of 50 feet from the street, the number must be located by the side of the driveway, at the edge of the street side right-of-way and 6 feet above the yard level.  All numbers are to be 5 inches minimum in height and contrasting in color from the background.

Please use common sense when placing your numbers.  If your house number cannot be seen from the street directly in front of your house, then put the number at the edge of the street side right-of-way. Keep in mind that you are helping yourself and your neighbors when your house is numbered correctly, and your number is clearly visible from both directions of travel.

Most hardware stores and home improvement centers sell house numbers. Remember, the numbers need to be 5” minimum in height and in a color that contrasts with the background they will be placed on.  Reflective numbers are best for visibility.

All current houses in Goshen should have visible numbers.  Any new construction should post the number as soon as ground is broken for construction.  The fine for not displaying numbers is $25 and is enforced by the Goshen Selectboard.

No.  Each town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is allowed one bonfire per year by state law.  Your chances of securing permission are very small.  Any permitted requires the supervision by Department personnel until extinguished.

That depends upon what you (and your neighbors) call a “campfire.”  A small open-air fire in a pit (no more than 3′ wide), distant from a tree line or overhead combustibles (like tree branches) for the purpose of cooking hot dogs and marshmallows is probably all right.  However, upon the complaint of a neighbor or even a passerby, we are required to investigate and possibly order the fire extinguished.  Your best long-term option is to build on outdoor barbeque or let your neighbors know your intentions.

General

No.  Each town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is allowed one bonfire per year by state law.  Your chances of securing permission are very small.  Any permitted requires the supervision by Department personnel until extinguished.

That depends upon what you (and your neighbors) call a “campfire.”  A small open-air fire in a pit (no more than 3′ wide), distant from a tree line or overhead combustibles (like tree branches) for the purpose of cooking hot dogs and marshmallows is probably all right.  However, upon the complaint of a neighbor or even a passerby, we are required to investigate and possibly order the fire extinguished.  Your best long-term option is to build on outdoor barbeque or let your neighbors know your intentions.