Gloucester Fire Department

Gloucester Firefighters Union Partners with Wellspring House for Annual Holiday Toy Drive

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Nov. 15, 2019

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

Gloucester Firefighters Union Partners with Wellspring House for Annual Holiday Toy Drive

GLOUCESTER — Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Fire Chief Eric Smith are pleased to share their support for the the Gloucester Firefighters Union as they announce their 7th annual toy drive for the Wellspring House’s Holiday Shop this year.

A nonprofit organization located in Gloucester, Wellspring House offers temporary shelter for families in need, and works with residents on homelessness prevention, emergency shelter placement and securing long-term housing.

“The annual toy drive is a wonderful way for the department and the community to come together and help bring joy to local children and families through Wellspring House’s Holiday Shop,” Chief Smith said. “Thank you to everyone who has supported this toy drive in the past. I’d also like to recognize Firefighter Dean DeCoste, of the Gloucester Firefighters Union, who is leading this initiative.”

Every year, Wellspring sponsors a donor-driven holiday store to help low-income families provide gifts for their children. This year, the holiday store will be held on Dec. 7 and 8.

“We’re so thankful to the city for supporting this initiative,” Firefighter DeCoste said. “By supporting Wellspring House’s Holiday Shop, we can make a difference during the holidays that directly impacts members of our community. The toy drive is our way of giving back and spreading positivity.”

The Gloucester Fire Department is accepting donations of new and unwrapped gifts at its headquarters at 8 School St., and will continue to accept toy drive donations until Dec. 5.

“The Wellspring House does wonderful work to support members of our community in various circumstances and situations of need year round, and their Holiday Shop is a special initiative that helps families and children to celebrate the holidays,” Mayor Romeo Theken said. “The Gloucester Firefighters Union works incredibly hard to support the Holiday Shop each year, and their dedication to their toy drive no doubt has brought a lot of happiness to children in our community.”

Members of the Gloucester Firefighters Union will also be accepting cash donations through a boot drive at Stop and Shop at 6 Thatcher Road in Gloucester on Nov. 26 and 27, and have set up a Go Fund Me Page to accept donations as well. All proceeds will be used to purchase toys for the Wellspring House’s Holiday Shop this year.

Through donations, Wellspring House’s holiday store allows Cape Ann families in need to purchase gifts for their children at a nominal expense: $2 buys three toys and one book per child.

For more information on Wellspring’s holiday store, contact Katie Misuraca at [email protected] or 978-281-3558 ext. 303.

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Gloucester Fire Department Offers Cooking Fire Safety Tips

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

 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019

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

Gloucester Fire Department Offers Cooking Fire Safety Tips

GLOUCESTER — With Thanksgiving on the horizon, Chief Eric Smith and the Gloucester Fire Department wish to offer cooking fire safety tips to residents.

The Gloucester Fire Department is joining the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services in its cooking fire safety campaign this fall, which is promoting the messages “Stand by your pan” to encourage the public to remain vigilant while cooking and “Put a lid on it” to remind those cooking that placing a lid on stove-top fire is the recommended response.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires, which are most frequently caused by cooking. 

“We wish everyone a happy, fun-filled Thanksgiving holiday this year, and are urging residents to never leave cooking food unattended,” Chief Smith said. “It’s incredibly dangerous to leave anything cooking without supervision, and far too often, it can lead to a fire.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the United States are dispatched to approximately 166,100 fires annually involving cooking equipment, such as a stove or microwave. 

The Gloucester Fire Department wishes to offer the following safety tips, courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

  • In the event of a grease fire, smother flames with a lid and then turn off the heat. Baking soda will also work.
  • Do not move a burning pan, which can spread the fire.
  • Do not throw water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire, as water will spread the fire and the extinguisher could splash flaming grease. 
  • Never leave food, grease or oils cooking on the stove top without supervision.
  • Do not wear loose or long sleeves when cooking, as it can catch fire.
  • Strop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire, run burns under cool water and call 9-1-1 for help.
  • Keep children and pets three feet away from the stove.
  • Do not store or use flammable objects, such as pot holders, towels, paper or plastic bags, near heating elements.
  • If a fire starts in an oven or microwave, close the door, turn the appliance off and call the fire department.
  • Do not put metal inside a microwave.
  • Unplug appliances such as toasters and coffee makers when you are not using them.
  • Do not store items in an oven.

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For more information, visit www.nfpa.org/cooking. (Courtesy Image National Fire Prevention Association)

Gloucester Fire Department Shares Home Heating Safety Tips

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

 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019

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

Gloucester Fire Department Shares Home Heating Safety Tips

GLOUCESTER — As the temperature begins to drop this fall, Chief Eric L. Smith and the Gloucester Fire Department wish to share home heating safety tips with residents.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, home heating is the second leading cause of home fires in Massachusetts.

“Unfortunately, this time of year, heating systems pose a serious risk, and we want everyone to take care to make sure they take steps to remain safe this fall and winter,” Chief Smith said. “With Daylight Saving having just ended this weekend, we encourage residents to double check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and review recommended home heating safety tips.”

The Gloucester Fire Department wishes to share the following winter home heating safety tips from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

  • Install and test regularly smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.
  • Do not use a stove, oven or grill for heat.
  • On an annual basis, furnaces and chimneys should checked by a professional.
  • Make sure to keep appliance vents and exhaust pipes clear of drifting snow and bushes.
  • Practice home fire drills and establish an escape plan with everyone in your household.
  • Practice fire safety and teach children to do the same.
  • If using a fireplace or a solid fuel stove:
    • Have the chimney professionally cleaned on an annual basis.
    • Check that your stove is approved by a national testing agency.
    • Obtain a building permit prior to installing a stove. 
    • Make sure anything capable of burning is three feet away from the stove.
    • Put any ashes in a metal container when disposing of them, and store them away from the house.
  • If you use a space heater:
    • Space heaters should not be used as a primary heating system.
    • Make sure anything capable of burning is kept at least three feet away from the space heater.
    • Never leave a space heater on before falling asleep or going out.
    • It is illegal to use portable kerosene heaters in Massachusetts for the home.
  • When using natural gas to cook and/or heat a home, make sure to maintain that system:
    • On an annual basis, have the furnace and hot water heater professionally checked.
    • Never use or store gasoline or painting equipment indoors where they could be ignited by the pilot light.
    • If you smell something similar to rotten eggs or believe there may be a gas leak, evacuate, do not smoke or turn off electrical switches and call 911. 
  • In order to maintain oil heating systems:
    • On an annual basis, have your boiler professionally cleaned and checked.
    • Do not allow the tank to get completely empty.
    • If the oil burner releases smoke or soot indoors, call for service.

For more fire safety tips and recommendations, visit www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe.

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(Image Courtesy United States Fire Administration)

Gloucester Fire Department Receives $424,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

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

Gloucester Fire Department Receives $424,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant

GLOUCESTER –Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that the Gloucester Fire Department has been awarded a $424,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The grant will allow all 48 of the Gloucester Fire Department’s members ranked as firefighters to take part in Emergency Vehicle Operator, Pump Operator and Aerial Ladder Operator training programs in compliance with National Fire Protection Agency standards.

The Pump Operator program involves 40 hours of training, the Aerial Operator program requires 16 hours, and the Emergency Vehicle Operator program is between four to 16 hours long depending on the student’s level of experience.

The award is the fifth federal grant the Gloucester Fire Department has received over the last four years.

“I’d like to thank our lead grant writer, Capt. Jamie Santos, as well as Firefighter Alison DeMuele and Firefighter Sander Schultz for assisting throughout this process,” Chief Smith said. “I’d also like to thank Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Destino, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, Congressman Seth Moulton, State Sen. Bruce Tarr, and State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante. These grants make an incredible difference for our department, and our city, and we’re thrilled to have these training opportunities.”

The Division of Local Services does not mandate that all fire departments train firefighters as emergency vehicle, pump and aerial ladder operators, but it is a standard the Gloucester Fire Department has long sought to achieve.

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