OAK BLUFFS FIRE-EMS DEPT.
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      • 09-15-2021 JOINT FIRE TRAINING WITH EDGARTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
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    • Events >
      • Firefighter 1 & 2 Graduation & Awards Ceremony
      • Police vs. Fire Hockey Game
      • Stuff an Ambulance
      • Retirement Party
      • Swearing In Ceremony for Fire-EMS Chief Wirtz
      • Swearing In Ceremony for Deputy Fire Chief Foster
      • 9/11 20th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
      • 2021 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
      • 2021 ANNUAL ISLAND-WIDE FLU CLINIC
      • ANTONE MASEDA, JR.'S FUNERAL SERVICES
    • Retired Members
    • Memorial Page
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  • Frequently Asked Questions

ANSWERS TO
​COMMON QUESTIONS

If you are unable to find the answer to your questions,
please call the Station.

Q: Who do I speak to about an ambulance bill that I received?

A: Please direct all billing inquiries to our ambulance billing service. Please note that we have changed vendors. If your date of service was prior to January 1, 2021 please contact COMSTAR at 978-356-3344 or www.comstarbilling.com. If your date of service was anytime from January 1, 2021 to present day, please contact Coastal Medical Billing, Inc. at 508-476-9740 or www.coastalbilling.com. If you have received an ambulance transport bill that you would like the fee adjusted, you can apply for our Ambulance Transport Billing Hardship Program here.

Q: Can I request fire or medial records?

A: Yes, but you must complete and submit a Fire or Medical Records Request Form and attach $5 fee. Cash or check made payable to the Town of Oak Bluffs are accepted. If requesting medical records, a HIPPA Compliant Authorization for Patient Medical Records Release Form must also be submitted. Requests for records are processed in the order of which they are received and within 10 days.

Q: Can I burn materials in my yard/on my property?

A: Massachusetts allows residents to burn during Open Burning Season (January 15 and May 1 between 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM), depending on weather conditions and only with a permit from the Fire Department. Permits are only issued between 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM ON THE DAY that you wish to burn. No permits are issued in advance due to potential for changing weather conditions. A permit may be denied in the interest of public safety. Reasons for denial may include but not be limited to wind, dryness, location, water source, material being burned, and amount being burned. Opening Burning Permit fee is $50 per day cash or check made payable to the Town of Oak Bluffs.

In accordance with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulation (310 CMR DEP 7.07), open burning must: be a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings; be conducted between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM from January 15 to May 1; and take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned. All persons must always have shovel and hose with running water near the burn site. You must also make sure air quality conditions are acceptable for burning by calling the Massachusetts DEP Air Quality Hotline at 617-556-1021 or by visiting the MassAir Online website at https://public.dep.state.ma.us/MassAir. 
 
​You are allowed to burn:
  • Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations
  • Agricultural materials such as fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, and infected bee hives for disease control.
  • Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing
  • Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available

You may not burn:
  • Brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing operations
  • Grass, hay, leaves, stumps, and tires
  • Construction materials and debris
  • Household trash

Failure to comply with the abovementioned regulations and the Massachusetts Safety Tips for Open Burning Season will result in the recantation of an Open Burning Permit and the imposition of a $500 fine. 

Q: Are Carbon Monoxide detectors required by law?

A: Yes. There needs to be one on every habitable floor. Complete and submit an Application for Certificate of Compliance for Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. There is a $50 fee per dwelling on the property listed on the application. Guest homes, garage apartments, basement apartments, and tiny homes on a foundation are considered secondary dwellings. Cash or check made payable to the Town of Oak Bluffs are accepted. 

Q: How many Smoke Detectors should I have in my home?

A: There should be at least one on every floor (including the basement) and one in every bedroom. Should you need more information, please
visit the Department of Fire Services website.

Q: I am selling my home or transferring ownership. What do I need to do? 

A:
Read the Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Requirements When Selling a One- or Two- Family Residence information packet from the Department of Fire Services. Upon the sale or transfer of certain homes, the seller must install approved smoke alarms. Complete and submit an Application for Certificate of Compliance for Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms with a $50 fee per dwelling on the property listed on the application. Guest homes, garage apartments, basement apartments, and tiny homes on a foundation are considered secondary dwellings. Cash or check made payable to the Town of Oak Bluffs are accepted.  After a successful inspection for smoke alarm compliance, we will issue a Certificate of Compliance indicating that the residence meets the smoke alarm requirements.
 

Q: When are Annual Grand Illumination Night and the Annual Fireworks held?

A: Annual Grand Illumination Night is always the third Wednesday in August. The Annual Fireworks are always the third Friday in August. Rain date will be determined if necessary. Please call the station to verify.

Q: Can I request a Department patch for my collection?

A: Thank you for your inquiry, however at this point in time we are no longer sending out Department patches. If that should change, we will let you know.

Q: Can I make a donation?

A: We appreciate the offer but are not accepting donations at this time. Thank you th
ough.
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • Public Health Resources >
      • CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
    • Employment Opportunities
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Trainings & Drills >
      • 09-15-2021 JOINT FIRE TRAINING WITH EDGARTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
      • 10-20-2021 ALL DEPARTMENT DRILL
      • 11-13-2021 EXTRICATION DRILL
    • Events >
      • Firefighter 1 & 2 Graduation & Awards Ceremony
      • Police vs. Fire Hockey Game
      • Stuff an Ambulance
      • Retirement Party
      • Swearing In Ceremony for Fire-EMS Chief Wirtz
      • Swearing In Ceremony for Deputy Fire Chief Foster
      • 9/11 20th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
      • 2021 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
      • 2021 ANNUAL ISLAND-WIDE FLU CLINIC
      • ANTONE MASEDA, JR.'S FUNERAL SERVICES
    • Retired Members
    • Memorial Page
    • Oak Bluffs Firemen's Civic Association
  • Forms for the Public
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Fire Prevention
  • Frequently Asked Questions