Onset Fire Department
Onset, MA · Plymouth County
Onset Fire Department is a Volunteer department serving Onset, MA (Plymouth County), with 2 stations and 65 total personnel. The department also provides EMS services. Full equipment, coverage, and staffing data from HIFLD are below.
- 65
- Total personnel
- 2
- Stations
- -
- Fire trucks
- Yes
- EMS service
(35/dept)
of 346 MA depts
staffing density
AFG / SAFER
Department Profile
- Type
- MOSTLY VOLUNTEER
- Location
- Onset, MA
- County
- Plymouth County
- FDID
- 23993
FEMA Grant History
| Year | Award | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | EMW-2020-FF-00128 | $166,338.96 |
| 2017 | EMW2016FV01421 | $271,429 |
| 2012 | EMW2011FO05936 | $168,639 |
Source: USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER) USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER)
Staffing vs the Massachusetts average
How Onset Fire Department's personnel count compares to the typical department in Massachusetts. It is larger than 81% of the 346 reporting departments statewide.
- Stations
- 2
- State fire deaths/yr
- 51
- MA departments
- 568
What This Data Tells You About Onset Fire Department
Onset Fire Department operates as a Volunteer department in Onset, within Plymouth County, and the HIFLD and USFA records give a precise structural picture of its response capacity. The department reports 65 total personnel, 2 stations, no truck inventory reported. EMS capability is listed as active.
Benchmarking against the state gives this profile context. Massachusetts has 568 registered fire departments and 19,841 total personnel, averaging roughly 35 staff per department. Onset Fire Department runs 86% above that state average, signalling a larger-than-typical crew likely tied to denser population or higher call volume. The state records about 38,700 fires, 51 fire deaths, and 35% volunteer coverage each year, which shapes training, funding priorities, and mutual-aid patterns felt at every department in the state.
Federal investment further defines this department's trajectory: Onset Fire Department has received 3 FEMA grants totaling $606,406.96 through the AFG and SAFER programs, money typically spent on PPE, SCBA, training, and hiring or retaining career staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many firefighters does Onset Fire Department have? ▼
Onset Fire Department has 65 total personnel according to HIFLD data. This is 86% above the Massachusetts average of 35 per department.
Does Onset Fire Department provide EMS services? ▼
Yes, Onset Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in addition to fire response.
How many fire stations does Onset Fire Department operate? ▼
Onset Fire Department operates 2 fire stations.
What type of fire department is Onset Fire Department? ▼
Onset Fire Department is a Volunteer department serving Plymouth County, MA. Volunteer departments rely on community members who serve without full-time compensation.
Has Onset Fire Department received federal grants? ▼
Yes, Onset Fire Department has received 3 FEMA grants totaling $606,406.96 through the AFG and SAFER programs. The most recent grant was in fiscal year 2020.
How many fire departments are in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts has 568 fire departments with 19,841 total personnel. 35% are volunteer departments.
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Data from HIFLD Open Data (FEMA/DHS). Not all departments report equally.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from FEMA/DHS HIFLD Open Data. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.