Our History
The Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills (C-O-MM) Fire and Rescue and Emergency Services is a full-time fire department serving the villages of Centerville, Osterville, and Marstons Mills. Headquarters is located in Centerville.
Established in 1926 with the Centerville and Osterville stations, the District expanded in 1956 to include Marstons Mills, with a fire station constructed there in 1975. Today, the C-O-MM Fire and Rescue department covers approximately 26 square miles, including 8 miles of open ocean coastline with numerous bays and inlets. The District serves a year-round population of about 28,000 residents, swelling to more than 40,000 during the summer months of June, July, and August.
Today
The Department responds to roughly 5,400 emergency calls annually, a number that has steadily increased year after year due to community growth and evolving service demands.
C-O-MM Fire and Rescue is staffed with four shifts, each consisting of 12 Firefighter EMTs and Paramedics. The fleet includes a Pierce Quint Aerial, three Pierce engines, a Pierce ALS Rescue/Pumper, five ambulances, two forestry vehicles, and specialized marine assets. Marine 1, a large SAFE Boat, is docked at Crosby Yacht Yard in Osterville from April through December, while each station maintains a smaller boat for local water rescue operations.
The Department responds to a wide variety of emergencies, including structure fires, brush and forestry fires, EMS incidents, motor vehicle accidents, marine emergencies, alarm activations, and hazardous conditions such as carbon monoxide and other gases. Additional services include dive operations, MedFlight assistance, and mutual aid to surrounding towns.
Specialized teams include certified open/deep water Dive Team, a Community Outreach Team focused on public education and relations, participation in the Barnstable County Technical Rescue Team, and an in-house Peer Support Team dedicated to member wellness.
The Department operates its own Dispatch Communications Center, staffed by four unionized civilian dispatchers who also dispatch for the Cotuit Fire Department. The administrative staff includes the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, EMS Officer, two Fire Prevention Officers, and a full-time mechanic. Both chief officers are accredited through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fire Service Commission and the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). Fire Prevention Officers are accredited to the Fire Prevention Officer II level through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.