Easton Fire Department

Easton Fire and Police Departments Offer Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

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For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019

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

Easton Fire and Police Departments Offer Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

Easton’s Current Risk Level is ‘High’

EASTON — Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Kevin Partridge and Police Chief Gary Sullivan announce that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been confirmed in mosquitoes tested in Easton.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has confirmed that the EEE virus has been detected in 27 mosquito samples collected in Easton this year. As a result of the tests, the MDPH has announced that the current risk level for Easton is high.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 or over 50 years of age are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

Chief Partridge and Chief Sullivan recommend the follow safety precautions offered by the MDPH to protect yourself and your loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
  • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
  • Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the Easton Board of Health website here, and the MDPH website here.

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Easton to Open Cooling Center at Council on Aging During Heat Wave

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Easton Fire Department
Kevin Partridge, Fire Chief
413 Bay Road
South Easton, MA 02375

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 19, 2019

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

Easton to Open Cooling Center at Council on Aging During Heat Wave

EASTON – Chief Kevin Partridge would like to notify Easton residents that the town will be opening a cooling center today and tomorrow as temperatures are expected reach into the 90s over the next few days.

The cooling center will be held at the Frothingham Hall Community Center, 15 Barrows St. The cooling center will be open on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 12-8 p.m.

If deemed necessary by town officials, an announcement will be made about opening a cooling center on Sunday, as well.

The cooling center will serve as a facility for residents to go to for temporary relief from the heat. Please note that the site is not intended to be utilized as a shelter, as there will be no sleeping accommodations provided.

“Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s throughout the weekend, so we want to ensure that everyone stays cool and hydrated,” Chief Partridge said. “Try to avoid being outdoors for too long during the day if you can help it and if anyone is in need of relief from the heat, please feel free to come to the town’s cooling center.”

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the Easton region starting at noon today and going until 8 p.m. Sunday.

To prevent illness and injuries, the Easton Fire Department recommends the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council:

Heat Safety Tips:

  • Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70 degree day.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, like water.
  • Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
  • If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
  • Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m.
  • Postpone outdoor games and activities if the temperature is too hot.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  • Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
  • Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
  • Learn to recognize and treat heat illnesses.

Tips for Parents: 

  • Limit playtime at peak sun exposure time and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat illnesses.
  • Avoid burns. If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for your child’s bare skin.

To learn more about summer safety, visit the American Red Cross or National Safety Council websites.

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Easton Police and Fire Departments Respond to Crash Involving Motorcycle, Car

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For Immediate Release

Monday, July 8, 2019

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

Easton Police and Fire Departments Respond to Crash Involving Motorcycle, Car

EASTON — Police Chief Gary Sullivan and Fire Chief Kevin Partridge report that the Easton Police and Fire Departments responded to a serious crash involving a motorcycle and a car on Monday afternoon.

At approximately 2:50 p.m., the Easton Police and Fire Departments responded to the area of 76 Highland St. for a report of a crash.

Upon arrival, first responders came upon the operator of a Suzuki motorcycle, Patrick Rooslet, age 35, of Norton. Rooslet was on the ground a short distance off the road with serious injuries.

Rooslet was transported by an Easton Fire Department ambulance to the Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School where he was subsequently picked up by a medical helicopter. He was then flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Rooslet’s injuries were serious, but are not considered to be life threatening.

The driver of the Hyundai sedan involved in the crash, Kara Yifru, age 37, of Easton, was issued a citation for Failure to Yield to Oncoming Traffic. Yifru remained at the scene and was cooperative with police.

The crash remains under investigation by Officer Chris LaCount. The initial investigation indicates that Rooslet was travelling west on Highland Street when Yifru, travelling east on Highland Street, allegedly attempted to turn into a driveway, causing Rooslet to crash into her vehicle.

Yifru and her child passenger were both uninjured. Both vehicles sustained significant damage.

Through the investigation, it was determined that Rooslet was operating the motorcycle with suspended license and he was issued a citation as well.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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Easton Fire Chief Provides Update on Station 2 Addition and Renovation Project

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Easton Fire Department
Kevin Partridge, Fire Chief
413 Bay Road
South Easton, MA 02375

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

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

Easton Fire Chief Provides Update on Station 2 Addition and Renovation Project

EASTON — Chief Kevin Partridge is pleased to report that significant progress has been made in the ongoing addition and renovation project at Station 2, 85 Depot St.

The project will add a second floor to the firehouse that will include modern bunk rooms, a new locker room and male and female showers. The existing building will also be getting a complete renovation.

The project is funded by local developer Douglas A. King as part of an agreement with the town regarding the Queset Smart Growth Overlay District that was approved at Town Meeting in 2008.

Since the project broke ground on May 6, construction crews have been working hard to move the project along.

Following the demolition that needed to be done, concrete for both apparatus bay floors have been poured, the addition has been framed on the first and second floors and new roof trusses were delivered to the station on Monday.

Framing, roofing, window work and trim work are all currently on schedule and are expected to be completed by the last week of July. A rough frame inspection is scheduled to be done in the first week of August. Following the inspection, the insulation can begin.

Plumbing, HVAC and rough electrical work is scheduled to be worked on in July and drywall and primer paint should be completed by late August. Also in August will be the installation of the new garage door, interior finish work and cabinetry installation.

Flooring will begin in September and finish site work, including draining and paving, should begin at the beginning of October.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of October or the beginning of November.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated station.

“Each time I have stopped over at Station 2 the crews are hard at work and making progress everyday,” Chief Partridge said. “It’s really exciting to see that the framework on the addition is being done and you can get an idea of what the finished product will look like. It will be great once everything is done and we can begin normal operations at the station.”

Station 2 will be closed while the project is ongoing. Engine 12 and the firefighters that operate out of Station 2 will be temporarily relocated to Station 3, 413 Bay Road.

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