To our members,
On Thursday, Feb. 12, Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order to explore allowing single stairway construction in certain buildings as a way to address the housing crisis here in the Commonwealth.
The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts believes this would be a mistake, and we are unified in our response that eliminating a second means of egress in certain occupancies would be dangerous.
President Chief Patrick Purcell provided the following statement to WBZ-TV in response to inquiry today:
“The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts are unified in our response that the elimination of a secondary means of egress in certain occupancies in dangerous. Eliminating a secondary means of egress places this responsibility on fire departments to provide one through the use of Ladder Trucks. Unfortunately, many communities in Massachusetts operate daily without staffed Ladder Trucks thus increasing life safety risks. We also have concerns about firefighters safely being able to access upper floors while occupants are attempting to evacuate.
We are grateful that the Governor has placed us on this task force so that we can convey important safety concerns on behalf of the fire service and the citizens we serve.”
If members receive additional media inquiries about this matter, please feel free to refer them to the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, so that we can speak with a unified voice against this dangerous proposal.