In light of the recent tragedy in Fall River — where limited staffing hindered rescue efforts at an assisted living facility — it’s time to look critically at our own fire protection in Watertown.
Watertown is dangerously understaffed, falling below national safety standards. According to NFPA 1710, fire apparatus should be staffed with a minimum of 4 firefighters.
In April of this year, at a budget and fiscal oversight committee meeting, Councilor Piccirilli stated, “I’ve been a member of the NFPA for over 30 years and I really believe in this stuff and it’s a good way to run an organization” He also stated that “we should be meeting, at a minimum, the published national standards”
In Watertown:
• Engines operate with only 3, 1 officer, and 2 firefighters
• Ladder trucks often run with just 2
• Ladder 2, which covers the Eastside, a dense and growing part of town, regularly runs with 2 firefighters and no officer
Prior to the addition of a second ambulance, approved for fiscal year 2026, staffing has not increased since 2008:
• 2007: Minimum staffing dropped to 18
• 2008: Cut again to just 17 firefighters per shift, where it remains today
• From fiscal years 2023–2026, multiple staffing requests were submitted — all denied
Meanwhile, the city is growing rapidly, with more complex emergencies, more residents to protect, and an increasing call volume.
High-Risk & High-Density Structures:
• Charles River Towers: 192 residential units in a high-rise
• Arsenal Yards: 400,000+ sq. ft. of lab space plus commercial and residential units
• As of March 2025, city officials report over 4 million sq. ft. of life science lab space across Watertown
• At least 6 high-risk residential facilities in town, similar in vulnerability to the assisted living facility involved in the Fall River tragedy, where safe evacuation would require sufficient fire staffing and leadership
Despite this, Watertown has added over 30 new municipal positions between fiscal years 2023–2026 — none in fire suppression — and purchased the Parker School to accommodate the growth in city government.
Not one of those new roles was allocated to increase fire staffing, even as population and infrastructure demands rise.
This imbalance is not sustainable. It places our firefighters, residents, and property in jeopardy. Fires are more dangerous than ever — according to the NFPA, civilian fire deaths are up 16 percent since 2014. Forty years ago, people had about 17 minutes to escape a typical house fire. Today, due to synthetic materials and other modern factors, that window has shrunk to as little as 3 minutes.
Watertown can — and must — do better:
– Restore adequate fire staffing levels
– Follow NFPA 1710 national standards
– Match public safety investment to municipal and infrastructure growth
Thank you,
Watertown Fire Fighters
Local 1347
Thank you to Local 1347 for bringing this worrisome report to residents’ attention. Let’s hope our elected leaders and municipal officials take notice and respond.
Agreed!! Thanks for adding all the relevant stats and details for discussion.
Watertown Fire Fighters:
What a powerful indictment. I’m sorry I’m hearing about this only now. You risk your safety every day to protect ours, and for years we’ve only frozen or cut your staff and budget. Never mind who’s to blame—the list is too long. Any new positions in the city government hiring pipeline have to go to the end of the line until these shortfalls are covered. There’s no choice, the decision makes itself. And fast, before someone gets hurt.
Unfortunately, much of this is out of our control. With the impending cuts brought forth by the Federal Administration, all departments at the municipal level will be impacted. And the impacts will not only be financial. Education, vocational programs, safety regulation and unions and other programs that Fire Departments rely upon, will be negatively impacted. The budget reconciliation will put many in harm’s way and leave many others behind. The only avenue open to municipalities is generate more tax revenue. Maybe consolidation might be a choice but not necessarily a great one. Elections have consequences.
Also agreed and thank you!