June 3, 2019

Georgetown Fire Department Offers Hurricane Safety Tips

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

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 3, 2019

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

Georgetown Fire Department Offers Hurricane Safety Tips

GEORGETOWN — As the Atlantic Hurricane Season begins this month, Chief Fred Mitchell and the Georgetown Fire Department are recommending a series of precautions for residents to read and understand in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season began on Saturday, June 1, and will end on November 30. Historically, hurricanes and tropical storms in August and September have had the greatest impact on New England communities.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a near normal hurricane season this year, which would result in between nine and 15 named storms. Between two and four of those storms are predicted to be major hurricanes.

“There are a lot of factors that go into preparing for a hurricane, and now is a great time for residents to plan and familiarize themselves with safety tips,” Chief Mitchell said. “It’s essential to create a plan that meets the needs of everyone in your family, from grandparents, to toddlers, to your pets and for everyone to practice that plan.”

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has several safety tips for residents in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm in our area:

Stay informed by signing up for emergency alerts.
Develop a family emergency plan by establishing meeting locations, creating an emergency contact plan, planning how to evacuate and learning how to shelter in place. Practice your plan with your entire family, and make sure the plan accounts for individuals who have access needs, seniors, children and pets.
Acquaint yourself with the emergency plans at places where your family spends considerable time, such as your workplace or your children’s school.
Those receiving medical treatment or home health services can work with a medical provider to learn how to maintain care in the event of a hurricane that requires evacuation.
Create an emergency kit that includes items such as bottled water, a three day supply of non-perishable and ready-to-eat foods, can opener, radio, flashlight or lantern, batteries, cell phone and charger, wrench, pliers, prescription medications, personal hygiene items, change of clothe and shoes, important documents and identification materials, money, first aid kit, emergency whistle, waterproof matches/lighter and area maps. Individuals with young children should pack necessities such as diapers, wipes, formula and baby food. Those with pets should pack a collar, leash, harness, crate, food, bowls, current photo, license and medical information.
Follow instructions from public safety officials.
Maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check their batteries.
Contemplate purchasing a generator. If you do, be sure to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions to use it safely. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage or with the exhaust facing the home or home air intakes.
Take photos or videos of your possessions to create a record for insurance purposes.
Prepare your home if a storm is coming by securing outdoor objects, clearing rain gutters, covering windows with shutters or plywood (do not use tape), turn off propane tanks that aren’t being used, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, clear nearby catch basins, park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood, and remove any boats from the water.
Do not go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.

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May 8, 2019

Georgetown Police Collect 230 Pounds of Medication During National Drug Take Back Day

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Georgetown Police Department
Donald C. Cudmore, Chief of Police
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

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

Georgetown Police Collect 230 Pounds of Medication During National Drug Take Back Day

GEORGETOWN — Chief Donald C. Cudmore is pleased to announce that the Georgetown Police Department turned in 230 pounds of unused medication following National Drug Take Back Day.

In collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Georgetown Police coordinated a “take back” event on April 27 at the Georgetown Police Station on Central Street.

The collection event was part of a semi-annual initiative, where thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country work to provide community members with an easy, accessible way to dispose of expired or unwanted prescription drugs.

This April’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set new records, according to the DEA, as approximately 6,400 collection sites were set up by local, state, tribal and federal groups. As a result, approximately 469 tons of prescription medications were collected and disposed of.

Since the first Prescription Drug Take Back Day event was held in the fall of 2010, approximately 5,908 tons of medication has been collected through semi-annual, DEA sponsored events.

“Prescription Drug Take Back Days are incredibly important, and effective, as communities everywhere continue to combat the opioid epidemic and spread awareness,” Chief Cudmore said. “These events give residents the opportunity to remove unwanted or expired medications from their homes and know that these drugs will be properly disposed of.”

Drug Take Back events also serve as an opportunity for law enforcement agencies to educate the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Studies suggest that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

Residents who missed National Drug Take Back Day can still turn in their unused medications at the Georgetown Police Department’s kiosk, which is located in the police station lobby. Residents should note that liquids, needles or sharps are not accepted.

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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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