Frequently Asked Questions

All 911 calls are answered and dispatched by the Wilbraham Regional Emergency Communications Center. The Central Dispatch personnel have been trained, tested and certified as Emergency Medical Dispatchers. This training enables dispatchers to provide pre-arrival medical instructions to callers with medical emergencies, in some cases starting life-saving procedures prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

This procedure is called ventilation and is utilized to remove heat, smoke and toxic gases from a burning structure to improve visibility and air quality for firefighters. As a fire burns, it moves upward then outward the ventilation of a building during an active fire can reduce the risk of “flashover” (a rapid spread of fire) and “backdraft” (a sudden explosion of fire). The ventilation of a building also aims to limit smoke related property damage.  

To become a member of the Hampden Fire Department you must fill out an application or submit a resume. Applications are available online and resume’s can be emailed through the “Email the Fire Department” link on our site. Once received if the candidate meets the requirements an initial interview will be arranged. Prior to employment the candidate must pass a urine drug screening, CORI check and medical examination. Once all the criteria are meet the candidate will be officially appointed to the Hampden Fire Department by the Board of Selectmen.  For more information on the process please feel free to call 566-3314 M-F 8am – 4pm.

Call members utilize pagers and mobile applications which notify them immediately of the location and nature of a call. The call members then respond promptly to the station retrieve the apparatus and gear needed for the emergency response.  

The Hampden fire station is staffed full time  Monday through Friday 8am - 4pm. Outside if these hours the department operates as a call department. In the event of an emergency 911 calls are dispatched, our on call members are notified and respond promptly to the station.

Yes. Members of the Hampden call fire department are paid employees of the Town of Hampden. 

Repetitive “chirping” of smoke detectors is an indication that the battery is low, or the device is malfunctioning. Replace the battery immediately. If the problem persists then the detector should be replaced immediately. Remember to test your detector once a month and change the battery twice a year when you change your clock for daylight savings time.

Having a fire extinguisher in the home is essential for safety. Extinguishers allow you to quickly control small fires before they spread limiting the damage to property and risk of injury. Some suggested locations for quick access in case of emergency are 

Kitchen – the most common place for fires. The extinguisher should be placed away from the stove, ideally near an exit.

Garage

Laundry Room

Basement / workshop area

Outdoor entertainment areas (grill , fire pit, outdoor kitchen)

For the best protection it is recommended to have a multi- purpose ABC fire extinguisher. The ABC extinguisher can suppress the three most common types of household fires

Class A fires – Common combustibles EX. Wood, paper, plastic, cloth

Class B fires – Combustible liquids and gases EX. Gasoline, cooking oil, alcohol, natural gas, butane, propane

Class C fires – Energized electrical fires EX. dryer, space heaters, damaged / frayed extension cord, faulty household wiring 

There are no regulations mandating the servicing of fire extinguishers placed in single family residences. However, the Fire Department recommends that fire extinguishers be inspected at least once a year. The average lifespan for an extinguisher is 10 years and should be replaced after this duration of time.