April 30, 2019

Georgetown Fire Department Offers Electrical Safety Tips

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Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

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

Georgetown Fire Department Offers Electrical Safety Tips

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred Mitchell and the Georgetown Fire Department wish to remind residents of important electrical safety tips this May.

Each May, the Electrical Safety Foundation International launches National Electrical Safety Month, a campaign to raise awareness about electrical safety.

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, electrical fires are the second leading cause behind fatal residential fires in Massachusetts.

“It’s far too easy to overlook the warning signs leading up to an electrical fire and we encourage residents to take the time to examine their devices and outlets,” Chief Mitchell said. “Keep an eye on your machines and appliances, and make sure they aren’t being misused or overused.”

The National Fire Protection Association offers the following Electrical Fire Safety Tips:

Make sure all electrical work is done by a qualified electrician.
When buying a new home or remodeling, have it inspected by someone qualified to do so.
Don’t plug more than one heat-producing appliance into an outlet, like a space heater or toaster.
Do not plug a major appliance, like a refrigerator, dryer, washer, stove or air conditioner, into an extension cord. These machines need to be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet.
Consider having an advanced circuit breaker installed, which will shut off electricity when they detect a problem.
Do not run electrical cords across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended to be used temporarily.
Make sure you’re using a light bulb with the correct number of watts.
The National Fire Protection Association also encourages people to call a qualified electrician if fuses blow frequently in the home, circuit breakers frequently trip, you have a tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance, wall outlets are warm or discolored, a burning or rubbery smell is coming from an appliance, flickering or dimming lights, or sparks coming from an outlet.

The National Fire Protection Association also has several tips for outdoor electrical safety:

Use lighting and power tools that are meant to be used outdoors and have been listed by a qualified test laboratory.
Store electrical tools inside and keep them away from children.
Make sure the area around your electric meter and other electrical equipment is clear.
Before turning on a light or using an extension cord, check it for damage. Replace damaged cords.
Only use extension cords that are meant to be used outdoors and are listed by a qualified test laboratory.

Residents that have an electrical safety question or a concern can reach the Georgetown Fire Department at 978-352-5757.

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March 15, 2019

Georgetown Fire Responds to Serious Crash Between Box Truck and Car

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Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 15, 2019

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

Georgetown Fire Responds to Serious Crash Between Box Truck and Car

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred Mitchell reports that the Georgetown Fire Department responded to significant crash between a box truck and a car Friday morning.

At 10:01 a.m., the Georgetown Fire Department responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash just off of Route 133 (East Main Street) on the northbound on-ramp to I-95. The drivers of the car and box truck were able to remove themselves from their vehicles without assistance from first responders, but the passenger of the car had to be extricated by Georgetown firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools.

The driver of the box truck was taken to Tufts Medical Center by a medical helicopter, and the passenger and driver of the car were both taken to Anna Jacques Hospital by ambulance.

Both motor vehicles sustained significant damage from the crash and had to be towed away from the scene.

Route 133 was closed in the area of the crash Friday morning as rescuers assisted those involved. The road was re-oped at approximately 12 p.m.

The Georgetown Fire Department received mutual aid assistance from the Newbury Fire Department.

The crash is currently under investigation by the Georgetown Police Department with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

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March 13, 2019

Georgetown Fire Department Congratulates Graduates From Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training

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Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

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

Groveland Fire Department Congratulates Graduates From Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training

*Left to right: Firefighter Michael McManus, Chief Fred Mitchell and Firefighter Tricia Morrison. (Photo Courtesy Georgetown Fire Department)*

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred Mitchell is pleased to announce that Firefighters Michael McManus and Tricia Morrison graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy this February.

Firefighters McManus and Morrison were among 24 graduates from the MFA’s Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training Class 74 who were recognized on Thursday, Feb. 28, at a ceremony held at Masconomet Regional Middle School in Boxford.

During the training, firefighters learned the basic skills they need to respond to fires, including how to contain and control them, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, firefighter self-rescue and vehicle extrication.

To graduate, firefighters were required to complete 240 hours of training, all on nights and weekends, while demonstrating proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack in situations ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multi-room structural fires.

Both Firefighters McManus and Morrison are Georgetown residents and are EMT certified. Firefighter McManus joined the Georgetown Fire department in May 2016, and Firefighter Morrison joined the department in August 2018.

At the ceremony, Firefighter Morrison was awarded the Martin H. McNamara award, which is given to one student in each class to recognize his or her outstanding performance, and is based on practical skill applications and academic exams for the program.

“Completing this program is a significant accomplishment, and I’m proud of Firefighters McManus and Morrison for representing our department so well,” Chief Mitchell said. “Firefighter Morrison excelled academically and in performing practical skills, and to be recognized with the Martin H. McNamara award reflects her tenacity and dedication to serving the people of Georgetown.”

The other 23 graduates represent the fire departments of Boxford, Essex, Groveland, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Rockport, Sherborn, Tyngsborough, Wenham, West Newbury and Weston.

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December 12, 2017

Georgetown Fire Department Responds to Early Morning House Fire

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Georgetown Fire Department
Fred A. Mitchell Jr., Fire Chief
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017

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

Georgetown Fire Department Responds to Early Morning House Fire

The fire is believed to have extended into the walls from an exterior fireplace (Courtesy Photo).

Georgetown firefighters responded to a fire burning inside the walls of a home on Hampshire Lane this morning. (Courtesy Photo)

GEORGETOWN — Chief Fred A. Mitchell Jr. reports that the Georgetown Fire Department extinguished a fire at a residence on Hampshire Lane early this morning.

At 5:34 a.m., Georgetown firefighters were dispatched to a home on Hampshire Lane for a report of smoke inside the residence. Upon arrival, firefighters observed that a fire was burning inside one of the home’s walls and worked quickly to extinguish the flames.

The Rowley, Groveland and Boxford Fire Departments responded to a call for mutual aid, and the West Newbury Fire Department stood by for station coverage during the incident. Firefighters extinguished the fire within 20 minutes of arriving on scene, but remained at the home until approximately 8 a.m. to ensure that there was no further danger.

The fire is believed to have extended into the wall from an exterior fireplace. The residents were home when the fire began and were alerted to it when their smoke detectors were activated.

No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.

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