Amherst (MA) Firefighters, Local 1764

10/14/2026

Our emergency call volume continues to outpace last year’s numbers, reflecting the growing demands on Amherst’s firefighters and paramedics.

While our new staffing plan represents a significant step forward, serious recruitment and retention challenges remain. Growing our department requires not only bringing in new firefighters, but also retaining the experienced personnel who train, mentor, and support them. Local 1764 looks forward to working with the Town of Amherst to build a fully capable fire department that meets our community’s needs while attracting and retaining dedicated firefighters.

Our summer months remained busy despite the absence of students, and October is already proving to be particularly active, with Halloween fast approaching.

As always, will continue to answer the call and provide the best care possible with the resources available.

09/11/2026

25 years later, we remember.

Today, Amherst Firefighters Local 1764 remembers the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001, including the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while answering the call.

343 brothers and sisters who climbed the stairs while others came down. 343 who entered the unknown, knowing only that someone needed help. 343 who never made it home.

Their sacrifice is forever woven into the history of the fire service and our nation. Twenty-five years later, we continue to honor their memory by carrying forward their commitment to service, courage, and sacrifice

Never Forget,
Amherst Firefighters Local 1764

08/28/2026

Please join us in congratulating firefighters Dylan Dincer and Nicolas Sandoval on graduating from the Massachusetts Fire Academy today! We're happy to have them return to shift while they start studying for paramedic school. Best of luck to the both of you and to the class of S46!

08/20/2026

Local 1764 would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Marshfield, Quincy, and Taunton Fire Departments. Within the span of two weeks, we have lost three of our brothers.

Our jobs are hard, and at times they can feel impossible. It is okay to not be okay. There is strength in recognizing when you need help and asking for it.

Please look out for one another. Check on your people, even when they seem fine, and never hesitate to reach out when you need help.

You are not alone.

08/12/2026

Congrats to our riders!!

Congratulations to our AFD (and Public Works!) members who completed this year's "Pan-Mass challenge." Nate Burgess, Ryan Gwyther, Nick Chirekos, Dylan Dincer, and Steve Telega from DPW, participated in the two-day, 177 mile, bike ride from Worcester to Provincetown. The ride raises donations to support the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Dana Farber is at the forefront of cancer research and therapy for all and offers advanced screenings and therapies for firefighters with occupational cancer. The AFD team raised $24,000 for Dana Farber research this year!

07/23/2026

The numbers from the past three months underscore a simple fact: our current staffing has not kept pace with Amherst’s needs.

In June alone, Amherst called back off-duty firefighters 13 times just to assemble at least three firefighters in town while on-duty crews handled other emergencies. These recalls occurred during the summer, when the University is out of session and call volume is driven primarily by Amherst’s permanent population.

We are grateful that the Town adopted a plan to raise daily minimum staffing to 10 firefighters in 2 years. This is an important and overdue first step, but it does not bring Amherst to nationally recognized staffing levels.

Our long-term staffing plan calls for a minimum of 12 firefighters. That is the level needed to provide an effective initial fire response while maintaining adequate ambulance coverage for Amherst.

Every step toward safer staffing is an investment in the firefighters who serve this community and the residents who rely on them.

07/19/2026

This past Wednesday, we proudly welcomed three new members to our union: probationary firefighters Emma Elson, Sherly Gomerez, and Jacob Smith. Emma joined us from the Hadley Fire Department, while Sherly and Jacob previously served as members of our student force.

These firefighters are among the first to be hired under the Town’s new multi-year staffing plan, which is intended to increase our minimum staffing level to 10 firefighters. We appreciate the Town taking this first step toward safer staffing for our members and the community.

06/02/2026

Today, members of Local 1764 were honored to attend Boston Firefighter Robert Kilduff Jr’s funeral.

We mourn his loss alongside the members of Boston Fire and firefighters everywhere.

Rest easy, BK.

05/26/2026

Welcome home Wilson!! And huge thanks to FF Cote and Claire for making this possible!

05/24/2026

Today, we mourn alongside the members of Local 718 following the tragic line-of-duty death of Firefighter Kilduff. FF Kilduff was an inspiration to firefighters everywhere, and his dedication, courage, and service will never be forgotten.

We are thinking about Bobby, his family and everyone at Boston FD in this incredibly difficult time

Rest easy, BK.