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1. Can I burn brush in my yard?

Open burning of natural brush (storm debris, NOT leaves or construction material) is allowed during the Open Burning Season, between January 15th and May 1st annually. Burning must be done between 10 am and extinguished by 4 pm. You are required to obtain an open burning permit prior to burning brush. The permit is $10 and is valid for the entire burning season. These permits may be obtained at the Eastham Fire Station on or after January 10th.

The permit holder must call the Eastham Fire Department at 508-240-5931 each day for permission to burn.

The determination to allow burning is based upon recommendations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local fire officials. Occasionally, due to conditions outside of our control, a burn season may be suspended early. This decision is determined by the State Fire Marshal and cannot be overridden.

If you have other questions, please call the Eastham Fire Department at:

• 508-255-2324
  Emailing Dan Keane

Read additional Information on Massachusetts open burning safety.

Download a copy of Eastham's Burning Regulations (PDF).

2. I noticed a new hydrant near my house, does it work? Does this mean I can save on my Insurance?

In 2014, Eastham approved the installation of a municipal water system, which includes fire hydrants. To see the hydrant closest to your home, view the Fire Hydrant Map page. On the left side of the page, select "Layers", then "FIRE HYDRANTS". Hydrants icons that are blue are active and operational.

To see when water will be installed in other streets of Eastham, visit the Municipal Water District website.

As for Insurance savings, you may be referring to the "ISO", or Insurance Services Offices rating. This is an independent agency that rates fire departments and the fire protection of the community (1 is best, 10 being worst). The grading system looks at response time to fires, staffing, and training of firefighters, equipment, and dispatching. Reliable access to water accounts for about 40% of the grading system. For the Recently, Eastham was reviewed and dropped their score from a 9 to a 4 (in areas within 1000' of a hydrant). While not every insurance company uses the ISO score to determine premiums, some companies are discounting policies due to the improvement in the score.

To determine the specific savings available to you, please contact your insurance company.

If you have other questions regarding fire hydrants or the ISO rating, please contact the Eastham Fire Department at 508-255-2324 or by emailing Dan Keane.

3. Does the Fire Station allow visitors or tours?

Of course! The members of the Eastham Fire Department are proud to welcome kids (of all ages, that means grown-ups too!) to come by and visit the station. Provided we aren't on an emergency call, we can usually accommodate tours and visits during normal business hours, 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Saturday. Many of our firefighters will tell you that fire station tours at a young age is how they fell in love with this job!

Have a large group or want to schedule a presentation of fire safety to a group?

Email Dan Keane to contact our Fire Prevention and Public Education division.

Also, keep your eyes open for news about our annual Fire Department Open House!

4. What is a "File of Life"?

The "File of Life" is a medical information packet designed to provide emergency personnel with necessary medical data to begin immediate treatment.

The "File of Life" refrigerator magnet is a red vinyl packet containing a medical information card for each household member. The front of the packet is clear vinyl. Each card is folded twice, the bottom 2 sections and back of each card contain all the medical data emergency personnel need to begin treatment.

This program is free of charge and may be picked up at the Eastham Fire Station. The Eastham Fire Department strongly suggests everyone have one!

5. How do I dispose of needles or lancets (such as used with diabetic persons or animals)?

Sharps (ex. insulin needles, lancets, etc.) are essential to the ongoing at-home medical care of many people, or even pets. Once these items are used, they pose a unique disposal challenge as it is unsafe to just throw them in the trash. The Eastham Fire Department is proud to participate in the Barnstable county sharps collection program.

Sharps collection is offered at our fire station, free of charge during normal business hours. Sharps should be delivered in a clearly marked, sealed, hard plastic container. You will then be provided a new, unused hard plastic sharps container.

Please do not bring unsealed or loose needles, for everyone's safety, please deliver sharps in sealed, hard containers.

For more information, read the Barnstable County Sharps Collection Program (PDF).

Need to dispose of medication? Visit our friends at the Eastham Police Station or view the Prescription Drug and Medication Drop Box (PDF).

6. Can I get my blood pressure checked?

Maintaining and monitoring blood pressure is a good idea for anyone. To assist the public, blood pressure screening is offered free of charge at the fire station during normal business. We can provide you also with materials to help keep track of blood pressure and/or other vital signs as necessary.

If you are experiencing chest pain, dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or other symptoms, please call 911 and we will respond immediately.

7. What is a “Lock Box”? How can I obtain one?

Many times, when on scene of an emergency, the department often needs access in order to provide assistance. We may need get in someone's house to help them with a medical emergency where they can't answer the door or check on a fire alarm at a commercial building. While we always try to find a non-destructive way to gain access, we are sometimes required to forcibly enter a building/area which may result in potential damage, especially if faced with a critical situation.

To help avoid damage to property while entering to provide emergency services, we offer a town-wide lockbox program. This program is available to private residences and businesses. The lockbox is a small metal "safe" that is attached conspicuously outside of a building to which only the fire department has access. Inside this box is a set of keys to the building itself which will allow the fire department access in the event of an emergency. The Eastham Fire Department strongly suggests everyone have one, especially with any "monitored" alarm systems (fire/medical).

Lockboxes are available by filling out an application at our fire station or completing the Lock Box Application online.

The cost is $65 and checks can be made payable to the Eastham Firemen's Relief Association.

Boxes are re-sold at cost, there may be grant funds available depending on need.

8. Can I have a fire on the beach?

Ocean-Side Beaches (i.e.: Nauset Light Beach, Coast Guard Beach)

The Cape Cod National Seashore allows a limited number of permits per beach per day for campfires (uncontained with clean, dry firewood). You can obtain permits by calling the Salt Pond Visitor Center a: 508-255-3421.

Visit the NPS Guide to Beaches for more information on fires at ocean-side beaches.

Bay-Side Beaches (i.e.: Cooks Brook, Campground, First Encounter, etc.)

Open fires (such as campfires) are NOT allowed on bay beaches. However, charcoal grill and in-contained cooking devices are allowed (Please take all coals or debris off the beach - do not bury coals).

For further questions, please call the Eastham Fire Department at 508-255-2324.