If you are unable to find the answer to your questions,
please contact us.
please contact us.
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.
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: 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. Learn more here.
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. Learn more here.
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.
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 records?
A: Yes, but you must complete and submit a Fire Records Request Form, Medical Records Request Form, or a Public Records Request Form. Requests for records are processed in the order of which they are received and within 10 days.
A: Yes, but you must complete and submit a Fire Records Request Form, Medical Records Request Form, or a Public Records Request Form. 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:
You may not burn:
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.
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: Can I have a fire on the beach?
A: Open fires on the beach are illegal unless they are on private property and with permission from the homeowner. However, if on Oak Bluffs managed public beaches such as Inkwell Beach and Oak Bluffs Town Beach (excluding Eastville Point Beach and Joseph Sylvia State Beach) you may use a grill provided you douse the hot coals with water and bury them before you leave. Ensure the fire is completely out and cool to the touch.
Please note that Eastville Point Beach and Joseph Sylvia State Beach are County managed beaches and therefore charcoal grills are not allowed but contained gas grills may be used for cooking purposes only.
Enjoy your Summer on Martha's Vineyard safely!
For more information on beach regulations, visit the Dukes County Government website: www.dukescounty.org/natural-resources/pages/joseph-sylvia-state-beach-rules-regulations
A: Open fires on the beach are illegal unless they are on private property and with permission from the homeowner. However, if on Oak Bluffs managed public beaches such as Inkwell Beach and Oak Bluffs Town Beach (excluding Eastville Point Beach and Joseph Sylvia State Beach) you may use a grill provided you douse the hot coals with water and bury them before you leave. Ensure the fire is completely out and cool to the touch.
Please note that Eastville Point Beach and Joseph Sylvia State Beach are County managed beaches and therefore charcoal grills are not allowed but contained gas grills may be used for cooking purposes only.
Enjoy your Summer on Martha's Vineyard safely!
For more information on beach regulations, visit the Dukes County Government website: www.dukescounty.org/natural-resources/pages/joseph-sylvia-state-beach-rules-regulations
Q: Are Smoke Detectors and/or Carbon Monoxide detectors required by law?
A: Yes, there needs to be one on every habitable floor (including the basement) and one in every bedroom. Learn more here.
A: Yes, there needs to be one on every habitable floor (including the basement) and one in every bedroom. Learn more here.
Q: I am selling my home/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 detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Learn more here.
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 detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Learn more here.