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Newbury Fire Department Provides Outdoor Grilling Safety Tips

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Newbury Fire Department
Chief Douglas Janvrin
3 Morgan Ave.
Newbury, MA 019510

For Immediate Release

Monday, May 14, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Newbury Fire Department Provides Outdoor Grilling Safety Tips

NEWBURY — With Memorial Day just two weeks away, Chief Douglas Janvrin and the Newbury Fire Department would like to remind residents to be cognizant of several important grilling safety tips when cooking outdoors.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, fire departments in the state responded to 487 fires involving grills, hibachis and barbecues between 2012 and 2016. These fires caused 22 civilian injuries, three firefighter injuries and $4.5 million in property damage.

“With the warm weather finally upon us, we know everyone is excited to head outdoors, especially with the holiday weekend nearly upon us,” Chief Janvrin said. “While barbecuing, we urge residents to take caution when operating gas or charcoal grills.”

In order to help prevent grilling fires and ensure residents remain safe while cooking outdoors, Chief Janvrin recommends the following tips provided by DFS:

Safety First

  • Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
  • Place grills away from the house, deck railings and out from under eaves of overhanging branches.
  • Grills should only be used on first floor porches, decks, or patios if there is an outdoor stairway to the ground, or the porch is at ground level.
  • Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grilling area. Children should never play near grills or propane cylinders.
  • Never leave a burning grill unattended.

Gas Grill Safety

  • Make sure the lid of a gas grill is open when you light it. Propane can build up inside and when ignited, the lid may blow off.
  • Check that all connections are tight before turning on the gas.
  • Clean the grease trap every time you grill.
  • Check the propane tank hose for potential leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose using a brush or spray bottle. See if any bubbles appear around the hose. If no bubbles appear, the grill is safe to use.
  • If you smell gas while cooking, turn the grill off and move away from it. Call 911 from a safe location. Do not move the grill.
  • Store propane cylinders upright in an outdoor, shaded area. Cylinders should not be used, stored or transported where they can be exposed to high temperatures.

Charcoal Grill Safety

  • Use only charcoal starter fluid. Never used gasoline or kerosene to start a fire in a grill and never add lighter fluid to burning briquettes or hot coals.
  • Always use charcoal grills in a well-ventilated area. Charcoal briquettes emit carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
  • Properly dispose of grill ashes. Allow the coals to burn out completely and then cool for 48 hours before disposal. If you must dispose of ashes before they are completely cooled, thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal container.

Anyone who has questions about grilling safely should contact the Newbury Fire Department at 978-462-2282.

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Tyngsborough Police and Fire Declare “All-Clear” After Students Faint After Talking About Blood in Biology Class

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For Immediate Release

Friday, May 4, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Tyngsborough Police and Fire Declare “All-Clear” After Students Faint After Talking About Blood in Biology Class

TYNGSBOROUGH — Police Chief Richard D. Howe and Fire Chief Wes Russell report that the Tyngsborough Police and Fire Departments have declared “all clear” after three students fainted during a biology class at the Greater Lowell Technical School on Friday morning.

An investigation indicated that students were talking about their respective fears of blood when one student fainted and two others followed suit in what is being called a psychosomatic or stress-induced event.

Tyngsborough Police officers and firefighters, along with firefighters and paramedics from the Lowell Fire Department, responded to Greater Lowell Technical School on Pawtucket Boulevard at 9:11 a.m. Friday for a report of multiple students down in a classroom. A larger emergency response was originally requested, but authorities soon determined it was not necessary.

The investigation determined that during biology class, students were discussing genetics, which led to the topic of blood and blood types. A male student, while on his way to get a drink of water, fainted. Subsequently, two additional students, a male and a female, also fainted. Out of an abundance of caution, the school was evacuated.

Emergency Medical Technicians evaluated the three students on scene, who were all conscious. The female student and one male student were transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation, but all three students are believed to be free of any physical injury.

Tyngsborough and Lowell Fire crews evaluated the air quality in the classroom and nearby sections of the school, investigating a number of possible issues. These included a potential chemical release, illness, or environmental factors, but no danger or physical cause for concern was found.

Classes resumed as normal at the school on Friday.

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Kearsarge Regional High School Holds Mock DUI Crash for Students to Illustrate Dangers of Impaired Driving Ahead of Prom

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Kearsarge Regional School District
Superintendent Winfried Feneberg
114 Cougar Court
New London, NH 03257

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Kearsarge Regional High School Holds Mock DUI Crash for Students to Illustrate Dangers of Impaired Driving Ahead of Prom

NEW LONDON — The track outside Kearsarge Regional High School looked a little different today. A totaled car sat parked on the turf with three student actors inside. A dummy lay on the ground, representing a life lost. Although not real, it appeared as though a serious motor vehicle crash had occurred. As the scene unfolded, students who came outside to watch a corresponding demonstration were reminded about the dangers of impaired driving in anticipation of the junior prom this weekend.

At 10 a.m., Kearsarge High School, in conjunction with the Sutton Police Department and first responders from Sutton Fire and EMS, put on a mock car crash for students in grades nine through 12.

Students filed into the bleachers and a skit began with sophomore Shane Boucher, of Sutton, pacing furiously outside the crashed car while on the phone with 911. Two passengers remained unconscious in the backseat of the vehicle, while another (the dummy) lay motionless on the track after being ejected from the front passenger’s seat.

Representatives from the Sutton and New London Police Departments arrived on scene, who began assessing the patient on the track, followed by the Sutton Fire Department, Sutton Rescue and the New London ambulance, which tackled extricating the two passengers from the backseat of the car.

“No pulse on this one, no pulse!” shouted New London Lt. Officer Emily Cobb as she assed the victim on the ground.

Police also performed a field sobriety test on Boucher, who failed, and was placed in handcuffs to be taken into custody.

“I saw some shock and disbelief,” Boucher said while he was performing in the skit. “To be sitting in that car, to be responsible for that heavy of a thing, I just can’t imagine it.”

“Hopefully it hit home for kids,” added Shelly Boucher, Shane’s mother, who came for the presentation and couldn’t help feeling emotional despite knowing the crash wasn’t real. “Seeing that car, that could be them sitting there at the mercy of firefighters.”

Students then glanced to the sky as they heard the propellers overhead. Within minutes, a Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team helicopter landed on the grass nearby and medics rushed over to transport one of the passengers following extrication. The other passenger was loaded into an ambulance to be transported to a nearby hospital.

To conclude the mock crash, a hearse from Chadwick Funeral Service arrived to pick up the ejected victim, who was declared dead on scene.

Students then moved into the auditorium, where they watched a video made by the Sutton and New London Police Departments to show a behind the scenes look at what happened to Boucher following the crash.

After being transported to the New London Police station, Boucher had his blood drawn to test his blood alcohol content, was fingerprinted and informed of his charges: negligent homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Unable to make his $2,000 bail, Boucher was taken to a cell until his court date the following morning. Students were left with the image of him alone and upset in jail.

“I thought it was cool to show what a real situation would be like and how bad the crash and charges could be,” said sophomore Aidan McCullough, of New London, following the presentation. “This could happen to people in our school.”

Sutton Police Chief Jonathan Korbet, who has been working since February to organize the demonstration, spoke to students about the importance of never getting behind the wheel impaired or being in a vehicle where the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He also took time to answer several student questions.

“With junior prom this weekend, we felt the mock crash was timely and really important for students to experience,” Chief Korbet said. “If we can impact a handful of kids, then we did what we wanted to do.”

Superintendent Winfried Feneberg would like to thank the first responders and emergency personnel for their work on the mock crash.

“We have strong community partnerships where everyone works together, and you really see it at events like today,” Superintendent Feneberg said. “It’s all seven towns coming together to get an important message across to students.”

To view a video of the entire mock DUI crash, click here.

To view the video students watched in the auditorium detailing Boucher’s arrest, click here.

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Littleton Police and Fire Departments to Conduct Active Threat Response Training

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For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Littleton Police and Fire Departments to Conduct Active Threat Response Training 

LITTLETON — Police Chief Matthew King and Fire Chief Scott Wodzinski would like to inform the community that the Littleton Police and Fire Departments, in conjunction with the Littleton School Department, will be conducting first responder training for situations involving active shooters and other violent incidents next week.

The training will be held during school vacation week, on April 17-18, at Littleton Middle School, 55 Russell St. The school will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. while the drills take place. Officials do not anticipate any sort of disruption.

“This is an ideal time for us to complete these drills because school will not be in session and we will not be disrupting any activities,” Chief King said. “We want to thank community members in advance for their patience and understanding as we conduct this vital training.”

“In emergency situations, seconds count, so it is imperative that members of the fire and police departments have a cohesive plan of action,” Chief Wodzinski added. “As part of this training, participants will learn and rehearse the skills needed when responding to an active threat.” 

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