andover fire rescue

Andover Fire Rescue Responds to  Crash Involving School Bus and Tractor-Trailer on I-495

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Andover Fire Rescue
Chief Michael B. Mansfield
32 North Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

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

Andover Fire Rescue Responds to  Crash Involving School Bus and Tractor-Trailer on I-495

ANDOVER — Fire Chief Michael Mansfield reports that Andover Fire Rescue responded to a crash between a school bus and a tractor-trailer Tuesday morning that resulted in minor injuries to some of the students on board. 

Andover Fire Rescue responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 495 Northbound just before Rt. 93 Southbound.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that a minor crash had taken place between a tractor trailer and a school bus. The bus, from the Pine Arts School in Lowell, was carrying nine chaperones and 48 students, mostly aged 9-10 years old. Two students sustained minor injuries from the crash, which were classified as cuts and scrapes. They were treated by first responders after they were moved to a safer location by Andover Fire Rescue along with the other students and chaperones.

Neither driver sustained any injuries.

Andover Fire Rescue relocated the students and their chaperones temporarily after the crash to the salt shed area at the I-495 and I-93 interchange to provide a safer location for them to wait for another bus to arrive to transport them back to their school.

The students were on their way to a field trip at the Museum of Science in Boston at the time of the crash.

“Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt,” Chief Mansfield said. “We were able to respond quickly, treat the two students who sustained very minor injuries, and moved the whole group to a safer location to wait for another bus.”

No lanes on 495 were impacted by the crash, except for the break down lane.

This crash is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police.

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Andover Fire Rescue Encourages Residents to Avoid Thin Ice

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Andover Fire Rescue
Chief Michael B. Mansfield
32 North Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 14, 2019

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

Andover Fire Rescue Encourages Residents to Avoid Thin Ice

ANDOVER — Fire Chief Michael Mansfield would like to remind residents that any ice over town waterways is too thin and should be avoided until later in the season.

Though temperatures have been colder lately, Andover Fire Rescue warns it has not been cold enough for long enough to make it safe to walk, skate or fish on the ice.

“We generally consider all ice to be unsafe because there are simply too many variables, including ice thickness and water currents under the ice, so it’s best to simply stay away from icy surfaces,” Chief Mansfield said. 

Chief Mansfield encourages residents to be mindful of these safety tips throughout the winter when considering whether ice is thick enough to support their weight.

Thin Ice

The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs says ice should always be measured in multiple places before testing it with your weight. Ice two inches thick or less should be avoided completely. Ice with a depth of four inches or more is considered safe for ice fishing or other activities on foot. Five inches of ice is recommended for snowmobiles or ATVs. Eight to 12 inches is necessary for a small car, while 12 to 15 inches of ice is necessary for trucks.

General Ice and Cold Water Safety:

  • Never go onto the ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.
  • Always keep your pets on a leash. If a pet falls through the ice do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 instead.
  • New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As the ice ages, the bond between the crystals decay, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.
  • Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong, but can also insulate it to keep it from freezing.
  • Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.
  • Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally 15 percent weaker.
  • Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only one inch thick 10 feet away.

What To Do If Someone Falls Through Ice

  • Reach-Throw-Go: If someone falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.) If this does not work, go for help before you also become a victim. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
  • If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.

If you have any questions, call Andover Fire Rescue at 978-475-1281. If you feel that someone may be in danger, dial 911.

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Andover Fire Rescue Conducting Structure Fire Training

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Andover Fire Rescue
Chief Michael B. Mansfield
32 North Main St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018

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

Andover Fire Rescue Conducting Structure Fire Training

Andover firefighters are conducting in-depth firefighting and rescue training throughout this week. (Courtesy Photo Andover Fire Rescue)

ANDOVER — Fire Chief Michael Mansfield reports that all of the members of Andover Fire Rescue are participating in structural firefighting training throughout this week.

The week-long program, which is being hosted at Andover Fire Rescue headquarters, will allow all personnel to augment their existing skill sets on hose line handling, interior search and rescue and fire suppression in an enclosed environment.

To aid in the training, Andover Fire Rescue is using the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ Mobile Live Fire Training Trailer.

“Responding to active fires inside a home or building presents a unique set of challenges that our crews need to be prepared to handle,” Chief Mansfield said. “This training will help our firefighting personnel become better at confronting the unique circumstances that come with fighting interior fires, including locating and rescuing potential victims in low visibility conditions.”

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UPDATE #10 (5:45 p.m.) Andover Provides Update on Town Services and Departments

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018

Media contact: Jordan Mayblum
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 617-993-0003

Andover Provides Update on Status of Town Services and Departments

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan, Police Chief Patrick Keefe, Fire Chief Michael B. Mansfield, and Andover’s town government department heads seek to update residents on the status of town services for the upcoming week.

Gas Restoration

Eversource Energy and Columbia Gas are directing the gas service restoration process. For more information, visit Eversource’s website. The town is in regular communication with the utility and provide residents with updates as they become available.

Schools

Superintendent Sheldon Berman: All Andover Public Schools and after school activities will resume at normal times tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 17. Buses will operate on normal schedules and food services at all schools will be available.

Superintendent John Lavoie: Greater Lawrence Technical School will be closed on Monday.

Trash and Recycling Pickup

Director of Public Works Christopher Cronin: The Town of Andover, through its trash and recycling partner Republic Services, will be collecting Friday’s service area on Monday and then running a holiday week schedule for the remainder of the week.

Therefore if your regular collection day is Friday, you will receive collection service on Monday. Monday service will be collected on Tuesday, Tuesday service will be collected on Wednesday, and so forth.

Republic Services understands that there will likely be increased rubbish volume this week, and all of that increased volume will be collected. Residents should make every reasonable effort to place trash bags in covered containers as always, in order to avoid litter. The town is coordinating with Republic Services to bring in additional resources if needed.

Residents with any questions are asked to refer to the Town of Andover website or call the Department of Public Works on Monday at 978-623-8700 and press 0 for the operator.

Food Waste Due to Power Outages

Health Division Director Thomas Carbone: We practice basic safe food handling in our daily lives, but obtaining and storing food safely becomes more challenging during a power outage.

Steps to Follow During and After a Power Outage

  • Never taste a food to determine its safety.
  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
  • A refrigerator will keep food at a safe temperature for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold its temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) and the door remains closed.
  • Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F or below.
  • If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, then check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe
  • Discard all refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after 4 hours without power.
  • Remember: When in Doubt, Throw it Out.

Click here for more information on food safety.

Health Division

Monday’s Board of Health Meeting is expected to go on as scheduled at 6 p.m.

Businesses looking to contact the Health Division should call 978-623-8640 and leave a message, or send an email to [email protected]. Both are being monitored and staff will respond in a timely manner.

The Health Division Office will be open on Monday at 7 a.m.

Library

Memorial Hall Library will return to normal operating hours on Monday, opening at 9 a.m.

Water and Sewer

Andover Water & Sewer reports normal water system operation. The water treatment plant continued to run through the duration of the gas emergency, and water remains completely safe for all uses.

Police Department

The Andover Police Department records office will open at 8 a.m. Monday.

Loss and Damage Claims

Residents who were displaced by this weekend’s incident should make every effort to track the expenses they incurred — including meals, hotel costs, property damage, spoiled food, lost wages or business income and other associated losses — in order to ease the process of seeking reimbursement from Columbia Gas.

To initiate the claims process through Columbia Gas, please call 1-800-590-5571.

Updates will continue to be posted on the town’s official website at www.andoverma.gov and on the town’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

 

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