Gloucester Fire Department

Gloucester Fire and Building Departments Offer Deck and Grilling Safety Tips

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 14, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Gloucester Fire and Building Departments Offer Deck and Grilling Safety Tips

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith and Building Commissioner Bill Sanborn would like to remind residents to make sure their decks are structurally sound and their grilling stations adhere to safety protocols this summer.

Decks that are not properly built or maintained can collapse and cause significant injuries, as well as property damage.

“We’re encouraging residents to take a few minutes as summertime approaches to examine their decks and porches,” Sanborn said. “A deck in need of repair poses a significant danger to you and your loved ones, and it’s imperative that these structures are looked after.”

Sanborn has several tips for residents looking to perform a deck safety check:

  • Stand several yards away from your deck to view whether it appears to be uneven, leans away from the building or dips toward one corner.
  • Check the railings and make sure they are sturdy.
  • Check for loose boards on the deck and make sure that all balusters are properly secured.
  • Look for any rotten wood, rusting fasteners, wood joist separating from band joist or broken joists. Check that the blots that hold the deck to the house are tight and secure.
  • Do not overload your deck with furniture, people, sport equipment, etc.
  • If you do not feel comfortable performing the inspection or find that your deck needs repair, contact a construction specialist to answer your questions and make the necessary repairs.

The North American Deck and Railing Association also offers a checklist for deck safety checks.

Chief Smith would also like to remind residents to make sure they’re practicing safe grilling habits this year.

“A lot of people love grilling in the warmer weather, but failure to be vigilant while using your grill or storing it improperly is tremendously dangerous,” Chief Smith said. “Grills can be a serious fire hazard, and we’re asking residents to be responsible.”

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services has several tips for grilling safely in the coming weeks and months:

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.

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.

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Gloucester Fire Department Extinguishes Two-Alarm Fire

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Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

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

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith reports that Gloucester firefighters responded to a two alarm fire today.

At 7:55 a.m., the Gloucester Fire Department was dispatched to 106 R Washington St. for a report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters observed flames emerging from the home and immediately struck a second alarm due to the strong possibility that the fire could extend quickly to the rest of the building.

Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the flames and there were no injuries to any of the occupants. A cat was located alive inside the building and was returned to its owners.

“All of the crews on scene did a great job to quickly contain the fire and limit the damage to the area where it originated,” Chief Smith said.

Crews from the Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Departments responded to the scene. Beauport EMS also responded to the scene to provide support to the four Gloucester engines, ladder truck and rescue vehicle that responded. Gloucester’s Deputy and Assistant Chiefs were also on-scene.

Members of the Beverly, Ipswich and Hamilton Fire Departments provided station coverage during the response.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Gloucester Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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Gloucester Firefighters Rescue Deer that Fell Through Ice at Fernwood Lake

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Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 14, 2019

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

Gloucester Firefighters Rescue Deer that Fell Through Ice at Fernwood Lake

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith reports that Gloucester firefighters rescued a deer that fell through the ice at Fernwood Lake this morning.

On Thursday, March 14 at 8:14 a.m. firefighters were called to Fernwood Lake for a report of a deer that had fallen through the ice. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a deer struggling in water, dozens of feet away from shore.

Multiple crews from the Gloucester Fire Department collaborated on the rescue, including West Gloucester’s Engine 2 Crew of Firefighter Darrel Dench and Lt. Doug MacArther, and the Gloucester Fire Department Headquarters Ladder 1 crew of Acting Lieutenant Randy Silva and Firefighters Bob Grover, Andrew Pierce, and Jak Letien.

No one was injured and the deer was able to return to its natural habitat Thursday.

In light of this incident, the Gloucester Fire Department wishes to remind residents that it is not safe to step or walk on the ice. In the event a person or animal falls through the ice residents should always call the Gloucester Fire Department for help.

If someone does fall through the ice, and you cannot reach them from the shore, throw something like a rope, jumper cables, or tree branch to try and pull that person out. If the situation is too dangerous, however, residents should never put themselves in danger and instead wait for help to arrive or go find help.

“Thankfully, our firefighters were able to utilize extensive training and equipment to rescue this deer, and no one was injured in the process,” Chief Smith said. “The ice is not safe to walk across or step on, especially as temperatures begin to fluctuate as we head into spring. Residents shouldn’t be on the ice, and should never attempt such a rescue themselves.

Ice Safety Tips

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offers several ice safety tips, and also warns that there is never a guarantee that ice is safe to walk on and won’t crack or buckle.

If you fall through the ice:

  • Don’t panic.
  • Call for help.
  • Don’t remove winter clothing; air trapped in your clothing may provide warmth and help keep you afloat.
  • Turn the direction you came from–the ice you previously walked on will likely be the safest.
  • Place your hands and arms on an unbroken surface of the ice and kick your legs. Once your torso is on solid ice, roll toward thicker ice to distribute your weight.
  • Once you are out of the water and off the ice, find shelter and warm your body. Change out of wet clothing and find warm, dry clothing. Get to a car or house. If you’re in a remote location, start a campfire.

If someone else falls through the ice:

  • Call 911.
  • Shout to the victim to let them know help is on the way.
  • If you can reach them from the shore safely, extend an object such as a rope, tree branch, or ladder that they can grab hold of.
  • Toss one end of a rope or a similar object that will float to the victim.
  • If you cannot safely help, call 911 or go find help.
  • If a pet falls through the ice, call 911 for help or go find help. It is too dangerous to attempt to save a pet yourself. Always keep a pet leashed while walking on ice or near ice.

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Gloucester Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

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Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 8, 2019

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

 

Gloucester Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

Firefighter Sean Ellis graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Friday, and was recognized at a ceremony at the Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow. (Courtesy Photo Massachusetts Firefighting Academy)

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that Firefighter Sean Ellis graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) Friday.

On Friday, March 8, Firefighter Ellis was among the 36 firefighters representing 23 fire departments to graduate from the MFA’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class 271. Graduates were recognized at a ceremony at the  Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow Friday.

The 10-week program teaches the essentials of fire and non-fire conditions, life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack.

Firefighter Ellis, age 26, a lifelong Gloucester resident, was hired by the Gloucester Fire Department in February 2018. A Navy veteran, he served on the USS McFaul DDG 74 in Norfolk, Virginia for four years as a damage controlman, third class. He is a certified paramedic, and holds an associate’s degree in fire science from North Shore Community College.

“The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy prepares firefighters with a rigorous, comprehensive training,” Chief Smith said. “Firefighter Ellis worked extremely hard to complete this program, and I am proud of his commitment to serve the city of Gloucester and better his firefighting skills.”

The other 35 graduates represented the fire departments of Andover, Attleboro, Bourne, Franklin, Haverhill, Hyannis, Littleton, Malden, Marlborough, Medford, Medway, Raynham, Revere, Salem, Sandwich, Stoughton, Sturbridge, Wakefield, Waltham, Wayland, West Bridgewater and Yarmouth.

 

The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy:

At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, firefighter recruits learn a wide range of skills in an intensive 10-week program. Certified and more experienced firefighters lead classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and firefighting practice. Students are given training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program, all students have met national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001.

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