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The Town of Orleans is a resort community located on the Cape Cod peninsula. The Town of Orleans was incorporated in the year 1797. Orleans covers 13.94 sq. miles, with a ye ar round population of 6,362 and a summer seasonal population of 22,000.
Prior to officially organizing the town, fire department members of the local community began to become concerned with fire protection as early as 1893. Community members voted at the Annual town meeting in 1893 to spend up to one thousand dollars for the purchase of a pumper and hose.
A committee of two citizens and three selectmen was formed to purchase the first pumper. After an official demonstration at the Town Cove, this first "hand tub" fire pumper was put in service.
During its service the pumper proved it's worth, saving many structures including the Town Hall. This first pumper was replaced by a motor driven chemical fire engine in February 1922.
Shortly after the arrival of this chemical fire engine, the Orleans Fire Department was officially organized with Chester W. Ellis appointed as the first official Fire Chief. 
Today, the Orleans Fire Department provides Fire and Rescue services to the community. It's a combination of services, providing fire suppression and EMS response twenty four hours a day seven days a week.
The department has 20 career personnel including a Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and full-time Fire Inspector. With 14 full-time cross trained firefighter paramedics and 4 full-time firefighter EMT-A's, our career staff is supplemented by an 12 member call firefighter force.
The Orleans Fire Rescue Department operates out of one station with a combination of 13 pieces of apparatus and equipment. It responds to just over 2,400 calls for service annually.
Operating within a broad range of services, the department responds to not only fire and medical emergencies, but we also respond to fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, motor vehicle accidents, beach / water rescues, hazardous material spills, technical rescues, boating emergencies, investigations and citizen assists.
 The Orleans Fire Rescue Department works closely with all other town departments by providing a safe community to live, work and vacation in.
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