City of Gloucester

*Media Advisory* City of Gloucester Announces Second Community Safety Day

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 8, 2019

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

*Media Advisory*

City of Gloucester Announces Second Community Safety Day

Proceeds to Benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer

 

 

GLOUCESTER — Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Police Chief Edward Conley and Fire Chief Eric Smith are pleased to announce that the City of Gloucester will host its second Community Safety Day fundraiser this weekend.

WHEN:

Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Harbor Loop, Gloucester

WHO:

  • Gloucester Police
  • Gloucester Fire
  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Boston MedFlight
  • State Police and State Police Horses
  • Massachusetts Environmental Police
  • Salem Police Dive Team
  • Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) Motor Unit
  • NEMLEC SWAT Team
  • Essex Police
  • Rockport Police
  • Peabody Police
  • Chelsea Police
  • Ipswich police
  • Endicott College Public Safety
  • American Red Cross

WHAT:

The City of Gloucester will hold its second Community Safety Day event to benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer this weekend.

Cops for Kids with Cancer is a nonprofit that provides funds to support families as they navigate the financial hardships that arise when a child is diagnosed with cancer.

Donations will be accepted at both entrances to Harbor Loop for the duration of the Community Safety Day event.

“Our first Community Safety Day was a huge success this fall, and we’re excited to participate again this summer,” Fire Chief Smith said. “Cops for Kids with Cancer is a remarkable organization that helps local families in their greatest moments of need, and we’re happy to be able to help and be a part of this event.”

“Being first responders, we’re always looking for ways to give back to the community, and cancer is something that it seems we’ve all been affected by one way or another,” said Officer Joe Parady, who spearheaded the event. “This is a way we can raise money to benefit families going through a difficult time, and for the community and first responders to pull together to help.”

Police, fire and law enforcement officials from throughout northeastern Massachusetts are scheduled to attend the event. Tours will be given of the U.S. Coast Guard Gloucester base and visitors will also have a chance to view the U.S. Coast Guard’s boats. Boston MedFlight also intends to land a helicopter at the U.S. Coast Guard’s base, contingent on weather and availability. 

Gloucester School Resource Officers Peter Sutera and Mike Scola will also be at the event in a ‘dunk tank.’ There will be music, free hot dogs, and raffles featuring gift certificates and prizes from several local businesses. The Chelsea Police Department’s ice cream truck will also give out 200 free ice cream bars at the event.

“In addition to supporting a great cause, this event offers a unique opportunity for the community to meet police, firefighters and first responders in a fun setting, and to tour cruisers, firetrucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles up-close,” Police Chief Conley said. “It’s a great chance for us to show the resources we have available to respond in the event of an emergency.”

Those that cannot attend the Community Safety Day event, but wish to donate to the fundraiser can still do so. Checks can be made payable to “Cops for Kids with Cancer” and can be either mailed or brought in-person to the Gloucester Police Department at 197 Main St. Mail should be addressed to Officer Joe Parady.

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City of Gloucester Offers Boat Safety Tips

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 28, 2019

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

City of Gloucester Offers Boat Safety Tips

GLOUCESTER –With the summer season in full swing, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Police Chief Edward Conley, Fire Chief Eric Smith and Harbormaster T.J. Ciarametaro wish to share boating safety tips for Gloucester residents and visitors.

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that there were 4,291 boating accidents in 2017, which resulted in 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries, and an estimated $46 million in property damage.

“Gloucester is fortunate to have a vibrant harbor and access to the ocean to support recreational boating, and we want everyone to enjoy their time on the water,” Harbormaster Ciarametaro said. “It’s imperative that everyone is responsible and safe while operating their boats, however. Taking a boating course and getting a free vessel check can save a life.”

“It’s crucial for people to check the weather before they go out on the water, children wear life jackets, and no one operates a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” Chief Smith said. “It’s also important for everyone to take steps to protect themselves from the elements while they’re boating, which includes wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated and packing a change of clothes.”

To prevent accidents and injury, the National Safety Council offers several safety tips for boaters:

  • Take a boating safety course. Click here to locate a local boating safety course through the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division’s website.
  • Get a free vessel safety check. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.
  • Know the state boating laws. To read a summary of Massachusetts boating law, click here.
  • Be aware of carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide symptoms, which include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. In severe carbon monoxide poisoning cases, symptoms also include mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, loss of consciousness and death. Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat and educate all passengers about where carbon monoxide may accumulate. 
  • Follow a pre-departure checklist. Make a list of necessary gear and check it before departing from a dock or land. To review federal requirements for recreational boats, click here.
  • Develop a float plan. Let a family member or staff at a local marina know where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone. A float plan can include the following information: name, address, phone number of trip leader and passengers, boat type and registration information, trip itinerary and types of communication and signal equipment on-board. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a free float plan template.
  • Bring an extra set of clothes and dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • Know the nautical rules of the road. Maintain a proper lookout, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids.
  • Avoid alcohol. Operating a boat while intoxicated is illegal. Nearly half of all boating accidents involve alcohol. Designate a sober skipper before leaving the dock.
  • Watch the weather. Always check local, route and destination weather and water conditions before going boating. If you notice the weather changing suddenly or see storm clouds, it’s recommended you go back to land. 
  • Before leaving, make sure the towline is not stuck in the propeller or wrapped around you.
  • Stay clear of the engine. Drivers should wear the boat’s engine cut-off switch lanyard at all times. Keep watch around the propeller area when people are in the water. Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the water when engines are on, or idling. Take extra precautions near boats towing skiers or tubers.
  • Enjoy recreational activities during daylight hours.
  • Practice sun safety: always wear sunscreen, seek shaded areas and protect your skin from direct sun exposure.

The City of Gloucester also reminds boaters never to speed, especially in crowded areas; to give large vessels that cannot turn quickly a wide berth; and never swim in a marina. 

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City of Gloucester Encourages Residents to Sign Up for Smart911 Alerts

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City of Gloucester Encourages Residents to Sign Up for Smart911 Alerts

GLOUCESTER — Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Police Chief John McCarthy, Fire Chief Eric Smith, and Assistant Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Joe Aiello are encouraging residents to sign up for mobile safety notifications and create a profile through the city’s emergency alert system.

Gloucester Emergency Alerts, powered by Smart911, is the official emergency notification system used by the city to communicate with residents and business owners during a range of emergencies.

Smart911 is a free service that allows residents to sign up online to create a profile that will provide vital information to 911 call takers during an emergency — allowing first responders to make faster and more informed responses. People who live and work in Gloucester can add relevant information to their profile, including the number of people and pets living in a household or working at a business, what those people and pets look like, relevant medical conditions and allergies, and emergency contacts.

The system also allows participants to receive emergency notifications in real time. Emergency alerts are used to notify residents of a variety of situations, including power outages, evacuations, lock down situations, water advisories and road closures.

“I encourage all Gloucester residents to sign up for Smart911 Alerts,” Mayor Theken said. “By utilizing this technology, residents are able to receive important notifications while providing essential information that is needed to best help during an emergency situation. Stay informed. Take advantage of this safety tool and sign up today.”

Gloucester Emergency Alerts also issues advisories to residents for amber alerts, missing person alerts, snow, flooding, traffic, weather warnings and beach alerts.

“This safety alert system could truly save lives, and it only takes a few minutes to sign up online,” Fire Chief Smith said. “Knowing how many people, and pets, live in a household in the event of a fire is a huge help to first responders. Being aware of medical conditions can help us provide the best possible care in an emergency. This system is a great asset to our city’s safety– let’s use it to its full potential.”

Residents can sign up to receive mobile alerts and create a safety profile for their household by clicking here.

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*Media Advisory* Gloucester to Host Marijuana Informational Session

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GLOUCESTER — Interim Police Chief John McCarthy and Gloucester Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard Safier are pleased to announce that they will be hosting a Marijuana Informational Session next month.

WHERE:

O’Maley Innovation Middle School auditorium, 32 Cherry St., Gloucester

WHEN:

Friday, March 2

  • Session One – 6th and 7th Grade Assembly at 9 a.m.
  • Session Two – 8th Grade Assembly at 10 a.m.
  • Session Three – Open Assembly at 5:30 p.m.

WHO:

Dr. Ruth Potee, a board certified family physician and addiction medicine physician at Valley Medical Group

WHAT: 

Dr. Potee will be speaking with middle school students and the greater Gloucester community about marijuana, addiction, vaping and more.

Named Franklin County Doctor of the Year by the Massachusetts Medical Society in 2015, her visit is the result of a partnership between Gloucester Police’s Kops N Kids initiative and Gloucester Public Schools.

“Although marijuana is legal in Massachusetts for people over the age of 21, we want to make sure students and the larger community still understand the risks of addiction,” Chief McCarthy said. “We’re looking forward to having Dr. Potee join us and teach our children more about the pitfalls of substance abuse and what they can do to protect themselves.”

Parents and interested members of the community are invited to attend the evening session.

For questions, please call the Gloucester Police Department at 978- 283-1212 and ask to speak with Chief McCarthy or Lt. Jeremiah Nicastro.

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