About Leah Comins

Leah Comins is an account coordinator for John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC.

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Whitman Fire Department Offers Tips to Make a Family Emergency Plan During Emergency Preparedness Month

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Whitman Fire Department
Timothy J. Grenno, Fire Chief
56 Temple St.
Whitman, MA 02382

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 20, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire Department Offers Tips to Make a Family Emergency Plan During Emergency Preparedness Month

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Grenno and the Whitman Fire Department would like to offer residents tips about making an emergency plan to prepare your family for an emergency during Emergency Preparedness Month.

September has been declared by Governor Charlie Baker to be Emergency Preparedness Month. Residents are encouraged to use resources provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to prepare themselves, their family, their property and their community for an emergency or natural disaster.

Families should have an emergency plan prepared for all members of the household to know what to do, how to find each other and how to communicate during an emergency situation.

Emergency plans should include everyone in your household including individuals with access and functional needs, seniors and children. Consider familiarizing yourself with the emergency plans that are in place at your workplace, children’s school or daycare or other places where your family spends time.

“In the midst of Emergency Preparedness Month, we would like to remind everyone to make and practice a family emergency plan and know what emergency plans exist in places where your family spends time,” Chief Grenno said. “In case of an emergency, it’s crucial to have a thorough and rehearsed plan in place.”

MEMA offers several tips to make an emergency plan for your family:

Establish Meeting Locations and Emergency Contact Plans

  • Select two family meeting locations where your family can reunite after a disaster. Choose one close to home and one farther away in case you are asked to evacuate or cannot return to the area.
  • Ask an out-of-state friend or relative to serve as your family’s emergency contact. After a disaster, it may be easier to call long distance to unaffected areas.
  • Provide every family member with the name, address and phone number of the emergency contact and make sure each family member has a cellphone or a prepaid phone card.
  • Inform your emergency contact of any family member’s special needs or medical issues.
  • List emergency contacts in cellphones as “ICE” (in case of emergency), which will make it easier for emergency management personnel to contact the right person in case an emergency responder needs to make a call on your behalf.
  • Identify alternative communication methods: texting or social media can also be effective tools to let friends and family know your location and status during an emergency.

Plan How to Evacuate

  • Identify and practice how you will exit your home.
  • Establish possible evacuation routes to ensure you are able to get to your designated meeting location(s).
  • Identify available modes of transportation. Make arrangements with family, neighbors or friends if you don’t have personal transportation.
  • Review tips to safely evacuate.

Plan How to Shelter in Place

  • Designate safe room(s) within your home. They should have as few windows or doors as possible and access to television, radio and telephones or cell service.
  • Make sure you have necessary supplies and can access your emergency kit.
  • If you receive medical treatments or home health care services, work with your medical provider to determine how to maintain care and service if you are unable to leave your home for a period of time.
  • Review tips to safely shelter in place.

Practice Your Plan

  • Practice your emergency plan at least two to three times a year with all members of your family.
  • To practice your plan, test your emergency communications plan, assemble at your meeting locations and practice your evacuation routes. Update your plan with any changes, if necessary, after you practice.

Emergency Preparedness for Pets and Animals

  • Your evacuation plan should include pets. Since you will not know how long you will be gone, you must take your pets with you.
  • Be sure necessary pet supplies are included in your emergency kit. This may include: collars, leashes, harnesses, cages and/or carriers to transport and house your pets; medications and medical records; food, water and bowls; familiar items for comfort such as toys, treats or blankets; cat litter, litter pan and litter scoop; updated photo of your pet in case you are separated; and information on medical conditions, behavior problems and veterinarian contact information.
  • Your plan should identify possible pet-friendly locations, including: a friend or relative’s home; temporary shelter facilities in your community; pet-friendly hotels, motels, campgrounds or boarding/kennel facilities both inside and outside your local area; or veterinarians or local animal shelters which may provide emergency shelter for pets in a disaster.
  • Large animals and exotic pets may require additional preparedness steps. Consider transport, personnel and other supplies or equipment that may be needed to care for these animals.
  • Make sure your pets wear collars with their current license and rabies tags. Attach your telephone number and/or the address of your evacuation site. If your pet has a microchip, be sure that the information is updated to reflect your current phone number and address.
  • During or after an emergency leash your pets when they go outside and keep them close. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused or lost.

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Bedford Police Announce Promotion, New Assignments

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Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 20, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police Announce Promotion, New Assignments

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to announce a promotion and new assignments for three members of the Bedford Police Department.

Craig Naylor was promoted from the rank of Officer to Sergeant; Sgt. Rich Vitale was assigned as the new Detective Sergeant; and Officer Jeffrey French was assigned as the new Campus Resource Officer at Middlesex Community College.

“Sgt. Naylor, Detective Sgt. Vitale and Officer French each have extensive experience with the Bedford Police Department that will serve them well in their new positions,” Town Manager Sarah Stanton said. “The community is fortunate for their distinguished service to the department. I wish them all the best in this next step of their respective careers.”

Sgt. Craig Naylor

Sgt. Naylor has been a police officer with the Bedford Police Department for 20 years, during which he spent five years as a detective and police prosecutor representing Bedford Police in the Middlesex County court system.

In his previous assignment as the Campus Safety Officer assigned to Middlesex Community College, Sgt. Naylor was instrumental in forming partnerships and fostering a strong community relationship with the dual campus institution.

Through his work at MCC, Sgt. Naylor has trained over 1,500 civilians in response to active shooter training and holds certificates in many police functions.

Sgt. Naylor will join the sergeant ranks and will be responsible for patrol shift supervision.

Detective Sgt. Rich Vitale

Detective Sgt. Vitale joined Bedford Police in March 2000 as a patrol officer.

Since 2006, Detective Sgt. Vitale has served as one of the department’s force instructors for firearms, defensive tactics, less lethal munitions and Taser.

From 2003-2004, he was assigned on a part-time basis to the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force. In 2012, he was assigned as a detective/prosecutor and in 2013 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Detective Sgt. Vitale has also received multiple departmental commendations in his time with the Bedford Police Department.

Officer Jeffrey French

Officer French has been an officer with Bedford Police Department for 20 years.

He has been a field training officer for 15 years, a member of the Community Services Unit for over 10 years and the department’s public information officer for the past three years.

“The unique Campus Resource Officer partnership that Middlesex Community College shares with the Bedford Police Department has yielded incredibly beneficial rewards for our campus,” said MCC Executive Director of Public Affairs Patrick Cook. “Officer Naylor was able to weave himself into the fabric of the college campus as a valuable resource for our students, staff and faculty, and I have no doubt Officer French will continue that synergy. Bringing a patrol officer into the mix of a college campus has yielded positive interactions, and provides our population access to a wealth of law enforcement resources at the same time. We’re sorry to see Sgt. Naylor go, but wish him well in his new leadership role and look forward to having Jeff join our MCC community.”

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Town of Dighton Partners with Bristol County Agricultural High School to Renovate Field for Girls Softball Team

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Town of Dighton
979 Somerset Ave.,
Dighton, MA 02715

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Town of Dighton Partners with Bristol County Agricultural High School to Renovate Field for Girls Softball Team

DIGHTON — Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein is pleased to share that the town has partnered with Bristol County Agricultural High School to revamp the field behind Town Hall for use by the girls softball team.

The team requested to use the Town Hall field for its home games. They currently rent a field in Berkley, so the new field will be closer to home. The team hopes the field can be a permanent home.

The field is currently used for town-sponsored programs such as the annual Easter egg hunt, as well as community events such as baseball practices for the Babe Ruth league and tractor pulls.

To meet regulations, the field required some improvements and an adjustment to its diamond shape. Under the direction of Ryan Miranda, Bristol Aggie facilities director, students in the school’s landscaping class have been working on the field.

“This has been an excellent project for our students to put their skills to practical use and they’ve put a lot of time and hard work into this project,” Miranda said. “It has been great to see our students come together to help out their fellow classmates on the softball team.”

Bristol Aggie contributed top soil and fresh sod for the field and the students laid the sod earlier this week. The town assisted in the project by providing machines and manpower for the excavation and grading work. The town also supplied some top soil materials that it already had.

“We’re happy to have been able to provide this field for the girls softball team and assist in making sure it will meet regulations and be a suitable place for the team to play,” Highway Superintendent Tom Ferry said.

“Bristol Aggie and the Town of Dighton have long been good neighbors and I’m happy to continue that tradition,” Town Administrator Aronstein said. “It’s always a bonus when we can showcase the work of our young students, and what better place to do that than in our own backyard?”

Work on the project began last month and is slated to be completed by the end of September. The field will then need time to grow and establish its root base. Bristol Aggie is considering future dugout improvements and plans to have the field ready for  play in the spring.

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Dighton Fire Department Raises $8,000 Through Touch-A-Truck Event

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Dighton Fire Department
Christopher Maguy, Chief
300 Main St.
Dighton, MA 02715

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Dighton Fire Department Raises $8,000 Through Touch-A-Truck Event

DIGHTON – Chief Christopher Maguy and the Dighton Firemen’s Association is proud to announce that the annual touch-a-truck event raised $8,000 to support two local firefighting families.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Dighton Fire Department hosted its third annual touch-a-truck event at Manheim New England. About 2,000 people attended the event and had the opportunity to see and sit inside firetrucks, ambulances, police cruisers and other vehicles.

The event raised $8,000, which included a $5,000 donation from Manheim New England.

The funds will go to support the Silva and Gordon families. Finnley Silva, born in January 2017, is the son of Taunton Firefighter Jon Silva and his wife Emily. Paul Gordon, born in January 2019, is the son of Paul Gordon Jr. and his wife Lauren and nephew of Taunton Firefighter Roberto Gonzalez. Both children live with congenital heart defects.

Due to their conditions, the children need extensive medical care that requires their families to travel to Boston Children’s Hospital for treatment. These hospital stays often result in unexpected costs to the families.

“On behalf of the Dighton Fire Department, I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Manheim New England for their generous donation and for allowing us to use their property for this event,” Chief Maguy said. “We’re happy to do what we can to help these families and I’d like to thank the community for coming out to this event to show their support.”

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