Dighton Fire Department

Dighton Fire Department to Host Touch-A-Truck Event, Donations to Benefit Local Firefighting Families

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

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

 

Dighton Fire Department to Host Touch-A-Truck Event, Donations to Benefit Local Firefighting Families

DIGHTON – Chief Christopher Maguy is pleased to announce that the Dighton Fire Department will hold its third annual touch-a-truck event in September.

WHEN:

Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE:

Manheim New England, 123 Williams St., North Dighton

WHAT:

Public safety and construction vehicles will be featured at the event, giving children the opportunity to see and sit inside firetrucks, ambulances, police cruisers and other vehicles.

The touch-a-truck event is free to attend. However, the Dighton Fire Department will be collecting donations for two local children with congenital heart defects. 

Finnley Silva was born in January 2017 and is the son of Taunton Firefighter Jon Silva and his wife Emily. Finnley was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with mitral stenosis and aortic atresia. His heart functions using only one ventricle. Finnley was recently discharged after being hospitalized at Boston Children’s Hospital. He had the first two heart surgeries of a three-surgery process, but after a routine doctor’s visit it was determined his right and only ventricle was not pumping as strong as it should be. Finnley is now being evaluated for a heart transplant. 

Baby Paul Gordon was born in January 2019 and was diagnosed with critical aortic stenosis with coarctation of the aorta. Paul is the son of Paul Gordon Jr. and his wife Lauren. Gordon is the brother of Taunton Firefighter Roberto Gonzalez. Baby Paul’s heart abnormalities narrow blood flow throughout the body and put pressure on his left ventricle. Paul has undergone several cardiac catheterizations and two open heart surgeries to date. He will require future surgeries to repair or replace the valves in his heart as he grows. Paul is currently home recovering after spending much of the first five months of his life at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Both 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.

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects, occurring in about 1 percent of births in the U.S. About 25 percent of those babies affected will need surgical intervention, like Finley and Paul, to survive.

“These children demonstrate unwavering strength and resilience as they face multiple surgeries and long recovery periods at such a young age,” Chief Maguy said. “It is our hope that this event will raise awareness of congenital heart defects in infants and that we can help support these families so Finnley and Paul can live their lives to the fullest.”

Along with collecting donations at the event, people may also choose to donate directly to Boston Children’s Hospital in the families’ names. Donations to the Gordon family may also be made via GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/baby-gordon.

In the event of rain, the touch-a-truck event will be held Saturday, Sept. 21.

 

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Dighton Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents of Pool Safety Precautions

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Friday, July 5, 2019

For Immediate Release

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

Dighton Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents of Pool Safety Precautions

DIGHTON — With summer now here, Police Chief Robert MacDonald and Fire Chief Christopher Maguy would like to remind Dighton residents to take the proper precautions and adhere to state regulations regarding swimming pools.

The American Red Cross reports that more than 200 children drown in swimming pools each year. Additionally, drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so the Dighton Police and Fire Departments consider pool safety to be a top priority.

Factors to consider when installing a pool include zoning requirements, electrical clearances, utility easements and contacting your insurance agency as pools require additional liability coverage.

The Dighton Police and Fire Departments remind residents to follow these safety regulations and recommended precautions:

  • Per Massachusetts law, pools should be surrounded by a 4-foot-high barrier that encloses the pool and has an access gate that self-closes, locks and opens outward from the swimming area (even if you don’t have children).
  • Fasten a safety cover over the pool when it is not in use, and remove ladders to further prevent access into the pool. Pool alarms are required whenever a house door leads directly to a pool deck.
  • Never leave children unattended while they are in or near a pool, and make sure they have an adult to accompany them into the water. Young or inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket or inflatable arm flotation devices.
  • Make sure children stay away from pool drains, pipes or any other openings to avoid getting trapped or hurt.
  • Set safety instructions and share them with family, friends, neighbors and anyone else who is near or uses the pool. Advise children to stay away from pool deep ends, and to always walk, never run near the pool.
  • Never use the pool if the chemical levels are not correct, or if the water is cloudy and you can’t see the bottom.
  • Take a CPR course for adults and children to be prepared if an emergency situation occurs. Update skills regularly.
  • Watch the local weather reports and do not swim if thunderstorms are in the forecast.
  • Those who are 21 and older should drink responsibly if they choose to consume alcoholic beverages when by the pool. Overindulging increases the risk for injuries or accidental drowning.
  • Avoid using glass containers by the pool. They could break and leave glass around the pool or in the water.

For a complete listing of Massachusetts building code regulations regarding swimming pools, click here.

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Dighton Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents that Use of Fireworks in Massachusetts is Illegal

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Monday, July 1, 2019

For Immediate Release

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

Dighton Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents that Use of Fireworks in Massachusetts is Illegal

DIGHTON — Police Chief Robert MacDonald and Fire Chief Christopher Maguy would like to remind Dighton residents as the Fourth of July approaches that the use of fireworks is illegal in the state of Massachusetts.

It is illegal to use, possess, or sell fireworks of any kind in Massachusetts, including Class C fireworks, which are sometimes falsely called “safe and sane fireworks.” Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Residents are also prohibited from purchasing fireworks elsewhere and transporting them into the state.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, during the month surrounding the Fourth of July, approximately 280 people nationwide go to the emergency room seeking treatment for injuries caused by fireworks every day.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks are also the cause of 18,500 fires on average each year.

This does not mean residents cannot enjoy fireworks displays over the course of the summer. However, Chief MacDonald and Chief Maguy recommend that residents only attend celebrations put on by a licensed professional to ensure safety.

Residents should also remember to:

  • Watch fireworks displays from a safe distance.
  • Call 911 if anyone gets injured by fireworks.
  • Set a positive example for children by not using illegal fireworks. If kids see adults using them, they may not realize the dangers and could be encouraged to pick up matches or lighters.
  • Be careful around even the smallest fireworks. Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees and could easily cause severe burns and injuries.

Anyone who has questions about fireworks or fireworks safety should contact the Dighton Police Department at 508-669-6711 or the Dighton Fire Department at 508-669-6611.

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Dighton Police and Fire Departments Offer Summer Road Safety Tips

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Friday, June 21, 2019

For Immediate Release

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

Dighton Police and Fire Departments Offer Summer Road Safety Tips

DIGHTON – As summer begins and with school now out of session, Police Chief Robert MacDonald and Fire Chief Christopher Maguy would like to remind drivers to share the road and remain attentive while driving.

As people enjoy their summer activities, more bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians will be outside. In addition, with many schools out for the summer, kids are playing outside and near the roadways.

“Driving, biking, and walking attentively and following the rules of the road is everyone’s responsibility,” Police Chief MacDonald said. “The common courtesy of sharing the road helps everyone get where they are going, safely.”

To prevent accidents and injuries, the Dighton Police and Fire Departments recommend the following safety tips:

Driving Safety Tips:

  • Watch for pedestrians everywhere, at all times of the day.
  • Avoid distracted driving and never use your cell phone or mobile device while driving.
  • Yield to bicyclists as you would to a motor vehicle. Do not underestimate their speed, especially when making a turn that crosses their path.
  • Be cautious at parking lots, stop signs, when backing up and when parking. Watch for other vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists at these times.
  • Be cautious at night and during inclement weather when visibility may be poor.
  • Be cautious at crosswalks. Slow down and prepare to stop when turning or nearing a crosswalk. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Stop a safe distance away from the crosswalk to give other vehicles ample time to see the pedestrians that are crossing so that they can also stop. Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk.
  • Follow slower speed limits in neighborhoods with signage that children are present.
  • Drivers turning right on red need to look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist that may be approaching from the right rear. Stop completely, look left-right-left and behind, and then turn right on red.
  • Give cyclists extra space. Do not pass them too closely.
  • Bicycles and motorcycles can be difficult to spot because of their smaller profiles and because drivers are conditioned to look for other cars, not cyclists.
  • Remember that motorcyclists have the same privileges as other drivers. Be sure to give riders a full lane of travel, and always keep a close watch for motorcyclists — especially at intersections and on highways. Sport utility vehicles, delivery vans, and large trucks may block motorcyclists from your view.
  • Anticipate a motorcyclist’s maneuvers. A piece of road debris that poses no threat to a car may be deadly for a motorcyclist. Predict evasive moves a motorcyclist might take by always being aware of your surroundings. Also, don’t follow motorcycles too closely. Allow enough room for the motorcyclist to take evasive actions.
  • Drivers must always be aware of their surroundings. Remember: Check twice, save a life.

“In addition to drivers sharing the road and being vigilant, we also advise pedestrians to be safe when out and about around town,” Fire Chief Maguy said. “Always look both ways before crossing the street, use crosswalks whenever you can and please make sure your headphones and earbuds are not so loud that you can’t hear what is going on around you.”

Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety:

Motorcyclists and bicyclists are also reminded to take safety precautions. These include:

  • Making your presence known to drivers by wearing an appropriate helmet and contrasting clothing or reflective gear
  • Avoiding riding in a driver’s blind spot
  • Being cautious of cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in a parking lot
  • Using proper turn signals
  • Always following the rules of the road.

As always, the Dighton Police and Fire Departments hope everyone has a safe, healthy and happy summertime!

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