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Communications is critical to a Fire Department and Westford is no exception. The process begins when you call the Fire Department direct or dial 911 and the Police transfer the call, or relay all pertinent information to us. The Fire Department's Fire Alarm Operators handle all incoming Fire/Rescue/EMS related emergency calls as well as all incoming
business calls to the Chief's Office, the on-duty Shift Commander, Fire Prevention Office, EMS Director and all personnel on duty at the various stations.
The Fire Alarm Operator is responsible for dispatching the appropriate apparatus to emergency calls and non emergency calls. Fire Alarm Operators need to be able to work and communicate efficiently with various agencies and Departments on the local, State and Federal levels. They are also responsible for all radio communications as well including dispatching, updating responding units, getting additional resources for units on scene when needed, including additional Engines, Ladder trucks, Ambulances, Rescue Units, Tankers, Advanced Life Support Units, Med Flight Helicopters, State Police Bomb Team (Fire Marshall's Office), State Fire Investigators, Utilities such as
Electric and Gas, and more. They are responsible for relaying important information in our database pertinent to the call at hand, such as Hydrant locations, Medical information, Hospital status, helicopter landing zones, etc. 
Fire Alarm is responsible for monitoring almost 200 Fire Alarm Systems (Boxes) in businesses all over Town as well as Station Boxes, then notifying the responsible parties when an alarm is activated or a problem arises with the alarm systems.
The means to communicate to Firefighters and EMT's has changed drastically over the Departments 100 Years of saving lives...from church bells, to station horns, to pagers, to portable radios.  As years go by, technology gets more efficient and serves to help us help you.
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