snapshot: firefighting costs, 2011
By Matt Carroll, Globe Staff | Oct. 4, 2012
Firefighting costs per resident vary widely across the state. Small rural towns in the west often have lower costs -- Adams, Clarksburg and Chesire are the lowest. Communities on Cape Cod and around Boston have higher costs. Chatham, Wellfleet and Boston are among those near the top. The data, from the Department of Revenue, is for fiscal 2011.
| Community | Cost per resident | Rank | Total cost |
| ABINGTON | $118 | 146 | $1,878,436 |
| ACTON | $119 | 144 | $2,617,858 |
| ACUSHNET | $37 | 265 | $383,052 |
| ADAMS | $1 | 333 | $11,947 |
| AGAWAM | $121 | 136 | $3,435,381 |
| ALFORD | $45 | 245 | $22,080 |
| AMESBURY | $163 | 74 | $2,657,860 |
| AMHERST | $103 | 165 | $3,899,151 |
| ANDOVER | $208 | 27 | $6,898,290 |
| AQUINNAH | $96 | 172 | $29,746 |
| ARLINGTON | $130 | 121 | $5,583,064 |
| ASHBURNHAM | $78 | 192 | $477,026 |
| ASHBY | na | na | |
| ASHFIELD | $23 | 308 | $39,423 |
| ASHLAND | $121 | 136 | $2,002,229 |
| ATHOL | $141 | 103 | $1,629,731 |
| ATTLEBORO | $131 | 119 | $5,713,560 |
| AUBURN | $136 | 112 | $2,197,504 |
| AVON | $255 | 10 | $1,110,108 |
| AYER | $177 | 50 | $1,318,027 |
| BARNSTABLE | na | na | |
| BARRE | $25 | 296 | $137,278 |
| BECKET | $24 | 304 | $41,887 |
| BEDFORD | $168 | 66 | $2,233,585 |
| BELCHERTOWN | $25 | 296 | $365,992 |
| BELLINGHAM | $98 | 168 | $1,605,574 |
| BELMONT | $172 | 58 | $4,253,989 |
| BERKLEY | $20 | 314 | $127,055 |
| BERLIN | $58 | 222 | $166,868 |
| BERNARDSTON | $33 | 271 | $70,176 |
| BEVERLY | $135 | 115 | $5,319,058 |
| BILLERICA | $158 | 82 | $6,360,940 |
| BLACKSTONE | $71 | 201 | $643,794 |
| BLANDFORD | $21 | 312 | $25,428 |
| BOLTON | $28 | 286 | $137,989 |
| BOSTON | $366 | 4 | $226,321,881 |
| BOURNE | $156 | 85 | $3,088,080 |
| BOXBOROUGH | $166 | 70 | $831,279 |
| BOXFORD | $59 | 220 | $470,158 |
| BOYLSTON | $64 | 212 | $280,532 |
| BRAINTREE | $197 | 33 | $7,029,005 |
| BREWSTER | $177 | 50 | $1,736,028 |
| BRIDGEWATER | $121 | 136 | $3,210,461 |
| BRIMFIELD | $30 | 276 | $108,976 |
| BROCKTON | $200 | 31 | $18,736,857 |
| BROOKFIELD | $16 | 324 | $52,635 |
| BROOKLINE | $213 | 23 | $12,525,766 |
| BUCKLAND | na | na | |
| BURLINGTON | $242 | 13 | $5,927,918 |
| CAMBRIDGE | $229 | 15 | $24,071,400 |
| CANTON | $191 | 38 | $4,117,480 |
| CARLISLE | $54 | 228 | $260,275 |
| CARVER | $37 | 265 | $426,306 |
| CHARLEMONT | $39 | 259 | $49,488 |
| CHARLTON | $106 | 162 | $1,379,475 |
| CHATHAM | $428 | 1 | $2,620,128 |
| CHELMSFORD | $118 | 146 | $3,976,073 |
| CHELSEA | $213 | 23 | $7,478,439 |
| CHESHIRE | $10 | 330 | $32,091 |
| CHESTER | $29 | 280 | $38,927 |
| CHESTERFIELD | $14 | 326 | $17,548 |
| CHICOPEE | $168 | 66 | $9,279,696 |
| CHILMARK | $138 | 106 | $119,571 |
| CLARKSBURG | $9 | 332 | $15,650 |
| CLINTON | $114 | 151 | $1,549,644 |
| COHASSET | $293 | 6 | $2,212,579 |
| COLRAIN | $25 | 296 | $42,016 |
| CONCORD | $192 | 37 | $3,400,846 |
| CONWAY | $28 | 286 | $53,933 |
| CUMMINGTON | $17 | 323 | $15,163 |
| DALTON | na | na | |
| DANVERS | $155 | 87 | $4,100,690 |
| DARTMOUTH | na | na | |
| DEDHAM | $186 | 40 | $4,606,463 |
| DEERFIELD | na | na | |
| DENNIS | $279 | 7 | $3,964,706 |
| DIGHTON | $89 | 181 | $627,247 |
| DOUGLAS | $28 | 286 | $236,481 |
| DOVER | $71 | 201 | $399,099 |
| DRACUT | $94 | 175 | $2,759,480 |
| DUDLEY | $44 | 247 | $501,582 |
| DUNSTABLE | $20 | 314 | $63,232 |
| DUXBURY | $157 | 83 | $2,367,292 |
| EAST BRIDGEWATER | $137 | 110 | $1,887,626 |
| EAST BROOKFIELD | $61 | 218 | $133,690 |
| EASTHAM | $336 | 5 | $1,664,612 |
| EASTHAMPTON | $121 | 136 | $1,938,281 |
| EAST LONGMEADOW | $43 | 250 | $670,930 |
| EASTON | $125 | 130 | $2,893,548 |
| EDGARTOWN | $71 | 201 | $290,031 |
| EGREMONT | $72 | 200 | $88,548 |
| ERVING | $57 | 223 | $102,103 |
| ESSEX | $73 | 198 | $257,014 |
| EVERETT | $186 | 40 | $7,736,763 |
| FAIRHAVEN | $118 | 146 | $1,873,509 |
| FALL RIVER | $117 | 149 | $10,413,660 |
| FALMOUTH | $183 | 42 | $5,774,820 |
| FITCHBURG | $130 | 121 | $5,256,155 |
| FLORIDA | $66 | 210 | $49,641 |
| FOXBOROUGH | $161 | 76 | $2,711,002 |
| FRAMINGHAM | $179 | 49 | $12,213,860 |
| FRANKLIN | $136 | 112 | $4,291,451 |
| FREETOWN | $95 | 173 | $843,029 |
| GARDNER | $105 | 163 | $2,131,452 |
| GEORGETOWN | $49 | 235 | $400,487 |
| GILL | $49 | 235 | $73,163 |
| GLOUCESTER | $181 | 47 | $5,222,199 |
| GOSHEN | $65 | 211 | $68,401 |
| GOSNOLD | na | na | |
| GRAFTON | $25 | 296 | $442,646 |
| GRANBY | $26 | 292 | $164,856 |
| GRANVILLE | $19 | 318 | $30,002 |
| GREAT BARRINGTON | $49 | 235 | $345,501 |
| GREENFIELD | $94 | 175 | $1,633,408 |
| GROTON | $71 | 201 | $754,074 |
| GROVELAND | na | na | |
| HADLEY | $39 | 259 | $204,985 |
| HALIFAX | $104 | 164 | $779,046 |
| HAMILTON | $64 | 212 | $498,394 |
| HAMPDEN | $13 | 328 | $67,774 |
| HANCOCK | $73 | 198 | $52,274 |
| HANOVER | $167 | 69 | $2,324,126 |
| HANSON | $136 | 112 | $1,383,536 |
| HARDWICK | $28 | 286 | $82,999 |
| HARVARD | $45 | 245 | $292,252 |
| HARWICH | $260 | 8 | $3,181,993 |
| HATFIELD | $29 | 280 | $94,060 |
| HAVERHILL | $130 | 121 | $7,936,340 |
| HAWLEY | $42 | 253 | $14,300 |
| HEATH | $32 | 273 | $22,868 |
| HINGHAM | $194 | 36 | $4,295,958 |
| HINSDALE | $25 | 296 | $50,781 |
| HOLBROOK | $189 | 39 | $2,043,883 |
| HOLDEN | $63 | 215 | $1,100,775 |
| HOLLAND | $26 | 292 | $64,439 |
| HOLLISTON | $43 | 250 | $586,348 |
| HOLYOKE | $226 | 18 | $9,019,790 |
| HOPEDALE | $71 | 201 | $421,911 |
| HOPKINTON | $127 | 128 | $1,890,424 |
| HUBBARDSTON | $51 | 233 | $223,669 |
| HUDSON | $140 | 104 | $2,672,951 |
| HULL | $260 | 8 | $2,672,019 |
| HUNTINGTON | $25 | 296 | $53,904 |
| IPSWICH | $110 | 157 | $1,452,042 |
| KINGSTON | $157 | 83 | $1,986,886 |
| LAKEVILLE | $82 | 188 | $866,398 |
| LANCASTER | $33 | 271 | $265,009 |
| LANESBOROUGH | $25 | 296 | $76,150 |
| LAWRENCE | $120 | 142 | $9,193,460 |
| LEE | $19 | 318 | $113,331 |
| LEICESTER | $19 | 318 | $204,908 |
| LENOX | $52 | 231 | $262,136 |
| LEOMINSTER | $165 | 72 | $6,707,336 |
| LEVERETT | $48 | 239 | $88,943 |
| LEXINGTON | $177 | 50 | $5,556,277 |
| LEYDEN | $34 | 269 | $23,909 |
| LINCOLN | $206 | 28 | $1,308,443 |
| LITTLETON | $54 | 228 | $477,673 |
| LONGMEADOW | $114 | 151 | $1,804,954 |
| LOWELL | $138 | 106 | $14,705,164 |
| LUDLOW | $90 | 179 | $1,908,860 |
| LUNENBURG | $68 | 209 | $682,830 |
| LYNN | $171 | 59 | $15,478,258 |
| LYNNFIELD | $98 | 168 | $1,136,048 |
| MALDEN | $137 | 110 | $8,118,800 |
| MANCHESTER BY THE SEA | $200 | 31 | $1,026,021 |
| MANSFIELD | $124 | 132 | $2,880,171 |
| MARBLEHEAD | $147 | 94 | $2,904,370 |
| MARION | $87 | 183 | $427,832 |
| MARLBOROUGH | $171 | 59 | $6,575,612 |
| MARSHFIELD | $166 | 70 | $4,164,801 |
| MASHPEE | $218 | 21 | $3,048,887 |
| MATTAPOISETT | $56 | 227 | $337,832 |
| MAYNARD | $161 | 76 | $1,625,332 |
| MEDFIELD | $75 | 195 | $901,122 |
| MEDFORD | $170 | 61 | $9,553,265 |
| MEDWAY | $30 | 276 | $384,612 |
| MELROSE | $133 | 117 | $3,576,380 |
| MENDON | $107 | 161 | $624,502 |
| MERRIMAC | $57 | 223 | $363,264 |
| METHUEN | $142 | 101 | $6,706,516 |
| MIDDLEBOROUGH | $111 | 155 | $2,573,058 |
| MIDDLEFIELD | $10 | 330 | $5,030 |
| MIDDLETON | $161 | 76 | $1,444,053 |
| MILFORD | $114 | 151 | $3,199,932 |
| MILLBURY | $39 | 259 | $515,863 |
| MILLIS | $98 | 168 | $771,121 |
| MILLVILLE | $76 | 194 | $242,690 |
| MILTON | $168 | 66 | $4,545,210 |
| MONROE | $95 | 173 | $11,471 |
| MONSON | $22 | 310 | $184,582 |
| MONTAGUE | na | na | |
| MONTEREY | $121 | 136 | $116,522 |
| MONTGOMERY | $14 | 326 | $11,833 |
| MOUNT WASHINGTON | $57 | 223 | $9,534 |
| NAHANT | $218 | 21 | $743,228 |
| NANTUCKET | $244 | 12 | $2,479,959 |
| NATICK | $228 | 16 | $7,520,523 |
| NEEDHAM | $205 | 29 | $5,912,877 |
| NEW ASHFORD | $84 | 186 | $19,066 |
| NEW BEDFORD | $139 | 105 | $13,228,596 |
| NEW BRAINTREE | $44 | 247 | $43,576 |
| NEWBURY | $75 | 195 | $500,866 |
| NEWBURYPORT | $180 | 48 | $3,141,454 |
| NEW MARLBOROUGH | $63 | 215 | $94,811 |
| NEW SALEM | $70 | 206 | $68,992 |
| NEWTON | $161 | 76 | $13,706,666 |
| NORFOLK | $109 | 159 | $1,224,029 |
| NORTH ADAMS | $101 | 167 | $1,381,193 |
| NORTHAMPTON | $126 | 129 | $3,585,134 |
| NORTH ANDOVER | $148 | 92 | $4,183,963 |
| NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH | $114 | 151 | $3,278,159 |
| NORTHBOROUGH | $86 | 184 | $1,219,417 |
| NORTHBRIDGE | $46 | 241 | $723,888 |
| NORTH BROOKFIELD | $15 | 325 | $72,414 |
| NORTHFIELD | $27 | 290 | $83,193 |
| NORTH READING | $154 | 88 | $2,291,370 |
| NORTON | $156 | 85 | $2,975,170 |
| NORWELL | $183 | 42 | $1,919,648 |
| NORWOOD | $205 | 29 | $5,856,266 |
| OAK BLUFFS | $42 | 253 | $188,777 |
| OAKHAM | $46 | 241 | $86,734 |
| ORANGE | $121 | 136 | $946,662 |
| ORLEANS | $375 | 3 | $2,210,016 |
| OTIS | na | na | |
| OXFORD | na | na | |
| PALMER | na | na | |
| PAXTON | $46 | 241 | $218,838 |
| PEABODY | $143 | 98 | $7,310,822 |
| PELHAM | $59 | 220 | $77,500 |
| PEMBROKE | $134 | 116 | $2,385,709 |
| PEPPERELL | $19 | 318 | $223,566 |
| PERU | $38 | 262 | $31,867 |
| PETERSHAM | $46 | 241 | $56,333 |
| PHILLIPSTON | $69 | 208 | $116,371 |
| PITTSFIELD | $131 | 119 | $5,848,537 |
| PLAINFIELD | $24 | 304 | $15,871 |
| PLAINVILLE | $161 | 76 | $1,326,776 |
| PLYMOUTH | $145 | 95 | $8,204,592 |
| PLYMPTON | $51 | 233 | $144,611 |
| PRINCETON | $53 | 230 | $182,131 |
| PROVINCETOWN | $170 | 61 | $499,882 |
| QUINCY | $195 | 35 | $18,031,320 |
| RANDOLPH | $133 | 117 | $4,261,870 |
| RAYNHAM | $143 | 98 | $1,919,864 |
| READING | $150 | 90 | $3,720,695 |
| REHOBOTH | $29 | 280 | $338,623 |
| REVERE | $149 | 91 | $7,724,760 |
| RICHMOND | $42 | 253 | $61,535 |
| ROCHESTER | $30 | 276 | $154,497 |
| ROCKLAND | $144 | 97 | $2,524,401 |
| ROCKPORT | $40 | 257 | $280,299 |
| ROWE | $120 | 142 | $47,135 |
| ROWLEY | $70 | 206 | $411,916 |
| ROYALSTON | $42 | 253 | $52,864 |
| RUSSELL | $52 | 231 | $92,964 |
| RUTLAND | $20 | 314 | $160,234 |
| SALEM | $170 | 61 | $7,017,443 |
| SALISBURY | $125 | 130 | $1,037,691 |
| SANDISFIELD | $64 | 212 | $58,418 |
| SANDWICH | $182 | 46 | $3,762,934 |
| SAUGUS | $138 | 106 | $3,664,264 |
| SAVOY | $20 | 314 | $13,795 |
| SCITUATE | $219 | 20 | $3,973,934 |
| SEEKONK | $128 | 126 | $1,762,917 |
| SHARON | $143 | 98 | $2,511,557 |
| SHEFFIELD | $23 | 308 | $76,398 |
| SHELBURNE | na | na | |
| SHERBORN | $94 | 175 | $386,983 |
| SHIRLEY | $32 | 273 | $230,497 |
| SHREWSBURY | $79 | 190 | $2,816,979 |
| SHUTESBURY | $48 | 239 | $85,761 |
| SOMERSET | $90 | 179 | $1,635,985 |
| SOMERVILLE | $169 | 65 | $12,835,385 |
| SOUTHAMPTON | $29 | 280 | $169,040 |
| SOUTHBOROUGH | $175 | 54 | $1,704,896 |
| SOUTHBRIDGE | $119 | 144 | $1,990,211 |
| SOUTH HADLEY | na | na | |
| SOUTHWICK | $31 | 275 | $290,993 |
| SPENCER | $29 | 280 | $341,959 |
| SPRINGFIELD | $123 | 133 | $18,753,964 |
| STERLING | $57 | 223 | $445,344 |
| STOCKBRIDGE | $29 | 280 | $57,395 |
| STONEHAM | $110 | 157 | $2,363,508 |
| STOUGHTON | $129 | 124 | $3,487,908 |
| STOW | $80 | 189 | $525,058 |
| STURBRIDGE | $88 | 182 | $813,119 |
| SUDBURY | $170 | 61 | $3,003,025 |
| SUNDERLAND | $21 | 312 | $77,262 |
| SUTTON | $38 | 262 | $344,011 |
| SWAMPSCOTT | $210 | 26 | $2,890,790 |
| SWANSEA | $35 | 268 | $551,902 |
| TAUNTON | $183 | 42 | $10,197,510 |
| TEMPLETON | $34 | 269 | $273,958 |
| TEWKSBURY | $145 | 95 | $4,201,133 |
| TISBURY | $44 | 247 | $174,240 |
| TOLLAND | $43 | 250 | $20,643 |
| TOPSFIELD | $98 | 168 | $597,024 |
| TOWNSEND | $85 | 185 | $762,928 |
| TRURO | $138 | 106 | $276,588 |
| TYNGSBOROUGH | $49 | 235 | $554,367 |
| TYRINGHAM | $83 | 187 | $27,130 |
| UPTON | $74 | 197 | $557,777 |
| UXBRIDGE | $37 | 265 | $499,300 |
| WAKEFIELD | na | na | |
| WALES | $11 | 329 | $21,009 |
| WALPOLE | $129 | 124 | $3,095,336 |
| WALTHAM | $213 | 23 | $12,906,348 |
| WARE | $91 | 178 | $902,163 |
| WAREHAM | na | na | |
| WARREN | $40 | 257 | $204,426 |
| WARWICK | $30 | 276 | $23,150 |
| WASHINGTON | $25 | 296 | $13,202 |
| WATERTOWN | $228 | 16 | $7,263,077 |
| WAYLAND | $177 | 50 | $2,294,513 |
| WEBSTER | $24 | 304 | $400,592 |
| WELLESLEY | $162 | 75 | $4,519,367 |
| WELLFLEET | $376 | 2 | $1,034,168 |
| WENDELL | $18 | 322 | $15,040 |
| WENHAM | $102 | 166 | $497,370 |
| WESTBOROUGH | $183 | 42 | $3,340,018 |
| WEST BOYLSTON | $79 | 190 | $606,014 |
| WEST BRIDGEWATER | $225 | 19 | $1,558,377 |
| WEST BROOKFIELD | $22 | 310 | $81,022 |
| WESTFIELD | $123 | 133 | $5,047,893 |
| WESTFORD | $123 | 133 | $2,710,927 |
| WESTHAMPTON | $24 | 304 | $38,884 |
| WESTMINSTER | $115 | 150 | $834,117 |
| WEST NEWBURY | $62 | 217 | $264,478 |
| WESTON | $241 | 14 | $2,710,343 |
| WESTPORT | $111 | 155 | $1,720,146 |
| WEST SPRINGFIELD | $154 | 88 | $4,379,138 |
| WEST STOCKBRIDGE | $26 | 292 | $33,525 |
| WEST TISBURY | $77 | 193 | $211,845 |
| WESTWOOD | $174 | 56 | $2,543,754 |
| WEYMOUTH | $142 | 101 | $7,654,374 |
| WHATELY | $26 | 292 | $38,465 |
| WHITMAN | $164 | 73 | $2,372,803 |
| WILBRAHAM | $108 | 160 | $1,541,822 |
| WILLIAMSBURG | $27 | 290 | $68,048 |
| WILLIAMSTOWN | na | na | |
| WILMINGTON | $148 | 92 | $3,296,421 |
| WINCHENDON | $60 | 219 | $615,835 |
| WINCHESTER | $196 | 34 | $4,185,802 |
| WINDSOR | na | na | |
| WINTHROP | $128 | 126 | $2,237,735 |
| WOBURN | $174 | 56 | $6,646,124 |
| WORCESTER | $175 | 54 | $31,702,997 |
| WORTHINGTON | $38 | 262 | $43,632 |
| WRENTHAM | $161 | 76 | $1,764,381 |
| YARMOUTH | $251 | 11 | $5,980,593 |