Squad 1 is the Lighting Plant,it provides lighting at fires and other fire department emergencies, as well as lights at crime scenes and police investigations. ~Photo by Steve B. Machado By Cathleen Twardzik To more actively spread the word, as spring and the flooding of basements around Somerville approaches, residents are reminded that the Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department (SAFD) operates under the direction of the Somerville Fire Department. Members provide support services to the fire department and various agencies, including the Somerville Police Department and the Department of Public Works (DPW), according to Captain Jason Castle of the SAFD. He has volunteered there since May 2000. The delivery of auxiliary fire services requires volunteers who demonstrate sound judgment, physical and moral courage, fidelity and personal integrity, according to the City of Somerville's website.

"The SAFD provides assistance to homeowners, by way of residential pump-outs. During major rain events, several basements, throughout the City of Somerville, flood with rain water," said Castle. At such a time, "The homeowner will usually contact the Somerville Fire Department."

Therefore, "In the case of major rain events when many houses experience flooding, Fire Alarm (the fire department's dispatch center) will establish a list of houses for us," he said. After that department contacts SAFD, they "will respond to each and every house, in as timely a fashion, as possible. Most of the time, [that] is done within hours, or within one day."

More specifically, "In 2009, the members of the SAFD volunteered a total of 1,271 hours and responded to 25 calls: five fire-related, four pump-outs, nine lighting assists, four parades and three special responses," said Castle

"However in extreme cases, such as April of 2001, we received a list of 66 residential pump-outs — the most I have ever seen in my 10 years. During that incident, we were operating all three of our units simultaneously, and because of the amount of water which needed to be pumped out of each house, it still took us three days to respond to every house on the list," he said.

In which type of situation, does the SAFD aid Somerville residents the most? "The first and most important task of the SAFD is to support and assist the professional fire department, the police department and other city agencies. We aid Somerville residents, primarily by way of residential pump-outs. However, we also provide lights and power at City of Somerville public events, such as the Fourth of July fireworks at Trum field and Riverfest at Assembly Square," he said.

Moreover, the department is presently "seeking additional members to increase our ranks."

Applications for the SAFD are available on the City of Somerville's website at http://www.somervillema.gov/section.cfm?org=FIRE&page=1433. Alternatively, interested individuals may visit the auxiliary fire station at 259 Somerville Ave, each weekday, between 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Completed applications may be brought to the station on Wednesdays between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Further, "Although not required, several members have received and maintained EMT certificates. [That] training is done at the member's personal expense," he said.

Recently, the SAFD went online, creating easier access for possible members to discover it.

The SAFD is comprised of eight members. "By profession," they include: electrician, chemist, aerospace engineer, supermarket manager, and college student — in addition to EMTs.

The department consists of three squad units. Each one deals with a specific type of emergency, as well as serving as a secondary backup unit.

Squad 1 is the Lighting Plant. It provides lighting at fires and other fire department emergencies, as well as lights at crime scenes and police investigations.

Next, Squad 2 is the Pump-out Truck and Second Lighting Unit. During periods of severe rain, it responds to calls, regarding residential flooding. If needed, Squad 1 can respond to residential pump-outs.

Finally, Squad 3 is the Rehabilitation Unit. It responds to fires and provides water to firefighters and other emergency personnel, as well as nutritional snacks, to ensure that they remain hydrated and energized. Besides serving Somerville, Squads 2 and 3 provide assistance to other cities and towns, when the need arises.

It is essential to note that, "In any emergency situation residents should contact the fire department or the police department first. If the incident requires a response by the auxiliary fire department, then we will be contacted by Fire Alarm," said Castle.

"For non-emergency situations, it is best if the resident calls the city's professional fire department. They will determine if the resident's situation requires an initial response by the Professional Department. Then they will contact us, as necessary."

In the near future, "We are hoping to be able to update our aging fleet of vehicles, as well as our pump-out and rehabilitation equipment," he said.