The Ludlow Fire Department is a dedicated, full-time career department staffed by thirty-seven members committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Ludlow community.
The department is led by Chief Ryan M. Pease and Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Lavoie, who work together to provide leadership and direction for the department. They are supported by one Fire Prevention Captain, four shift Captains, four Lieutenants, twenty-six firefighters, and two administrative assistants who provide crucial support for the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service operations. While the Chief, Deputy Chief, and Fire Prevention Captain maintain an administrative schedule from Monday through Friday, the remaining personnel are divided into four groups working rotating twenty-four-hour shifts to ensure continuous coverage.
The Ludlow Fire Department offers a comprehensive range of services including fire suppression, fire prevention and education, advanced life support emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and rescue operations. These services address the diverse needs of Ludlow’s population and its expanding infrastructure.
To effectively manage emergencies, the department operates a fleet of specialized vehicles: three engines, an aerial platform, a 3,000-gallon tanker, two brush vehicles, a rescue boat, and three advanced life support ambulances. One engine is licensed at the paramedic level, equipped with lifesaving equipment comparable to an ambulance but without patient transport capability.
Ludlow encompasses approximately 7,500 housing units, including multi-family apartments, condominium complexes, and single-family homes that are spread about the 28.2 square miles that serves the populations of roughly 21,000 residents. The town also features two prominent industrial areas: an evolving mill complex with several large heavy timber mill buildings and stock houses, as well as a modern industrial zone hosting manufacturing and light industrial businesses. Additionally, the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) runs through Ludlow, increasing traffic volume and emergency response demands. The town of Ludlow also borders Westover Air Reserve Base.
Ludlow also includes over 2,000 acres of forested land maintained as state forest, wildlife management areas, and conservation land surrounding a reservoir that once served as a backup drinking water supply.
One of the department’s most pressing challenges is meeting the rising demand for emergency medical services (EMS). Over the past decade, EMS call volume has surged by approximately 41%, with a 195% increase since 2000. This demand is driven by Ludlow’s aging population, where approximately 21% of residents are 65 years or older. The community is also home to several senior housing complexes, a 90 unit assisted living facility, an in-patient rehabilitation hospital, a county correctional facility, and in patient rehabilitation facilities. Additionally, new home construction has increased, further contributing to service demand.
Despite these challenges, the Ludlow Fire Department remains committed to providing exemplary emergency response and fire prevention services to protect the town’s residents and infrastructure.