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Gloucester Police and Fire Departments Attend Municipal Drone Training

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 15, 2019

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

Gloucester Police and Fire Departments Attend Municipal Drone Training

GLOUCESTER –Police Chief John McCarthy and Fire Chief Eric Smith are pleased to share that members of the Gloucester Police and Fire Departments attended a training on municipal drone use earlier this week.

Police Lt. Joe Fitzgerald and Fire Lt. Kevin Gargan attended a Salem State University workshop on Monday, March 11, on municipal applications of drones. The day-long workshop included lectures, discussion and field work with hands-on training.

The city of Gloucester is currently exploring the possibility of drone usage as a resource and shared asset to the Police and Fire Departments as well as the Department of Public Works.

“This training provided a great base knowledge of municipal drone use to Lt. Fitzgerald and Lt. Gargan,” Fire Chief Smith said. “As Gloucester examines the possible benefits of municipal drone use for several departments, it is great to have multiple city employees furthering their knowledge of how these devices function, the necessary steps for a municipality to pursue a drone program, and the possible benefits these devices may offer.”

The training was lead by Salem State University Geography Professor Stephen Young, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professional Richard Ames and Peabody Police Sgt. Christos Zamakis, who is currently studying drone use for police departments as he pursues a master’s degree in geo-information science at Salem State University.

“This training was comprehensive, and we greatly appreciate Salem State’s work in offering this workshop to support municipalities as we navigate this complex, new territory,” Chief McCarthy said. “Drones may become an invaluable resource to the city of Gloucester in the future, and it was great to give members of the police and fire departments the chance to expand their knowledge and gain some experience with these devices.”

Participants in the training learned about the current uses of drones for municipalities, how public safety departments and public works professionals can use drones, the different drone models currently available, necessary software to fly drones within Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, how to obtain a remote pilot’s license, how to acquire proper insurance, and how to set up a drone project and fly a drone.

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City of Gloucester Encourages Residents to Sign Up for Smart911 Alerts

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City of Gloucester Encourages Residents to Sign Up for Smart911 Alerts

GLOUCESTER — Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Police Chief John McCarthy, Fire Chief Eric Smith, and Assistant Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Joe Aiello are encouraging residents to sign up for mobile safety notifications and create a profile through the city’s emergency alert system.

Gloucester Emergency Alerts, powered by Smart911, is the official emergency notification system used by the city to communicate with residents and business owners during a range of emergencies.

Smart911 is a free service that allows residents to sign up online to create a profile that will provide vital information to 911 call takers during an emergency — allowing first responders to make faster and more informed responses. People who live and work in Gloucester can add relevant information to their profile, including the number of people and pets living in a household or working at a business, what those people and pets look like, relevant medical conditions and allergies, and emergency contacts.

The system also allows participants to receive emergency notifications in real time. Emergency alerts are used to notify residents of a variety of situations, including power outages, evacuations, lock down situations, water advisories and road closures.

“I encourage all Gloucester residents to sign up for Smart911 Alerts,” Mayor Theken said. “By utilizing this technology, residents are able to receive important notifications while providing essential information that is needed to best help during an emergency situation. Stay informed. Take advantage of this safety tool and sign up today.”

Gloucester Emergency Alerts also issues advisories to residents for amber alerts, missing person alerts, snow, flooding, traffic, weather warnings and beach alerts.

“This safety alert system could truly save lives, and it only takes a few minutes to sign up online,” Fire Chief Smith said. “Knowing how many people, and pets, live in a household in the event of a fire is a huge help to first responders. Being aware of medical conditions can help us provide the best possible care in an emergency. This system is a great asset to our city’s safety– let’s use it to its full potential.”

Residents can sign up to receive mobile alerts and create a safety profile for their household by clicking here.

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 Gloucester Police Department Renews Tradition of “Growing Hair Because We Care”

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Gloucester Police Department
Chief John McCarthy
197 Main St.
Gloucester , MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 26, 2018

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

 Gloucester Police Department Renews Tradition of “Growing Hair Because We Care”

GLOUCESTER — Chief John McCarthy is pleased to announce that members of the Gloucester Police Department will spend the rest of the year growing out their beards in support of prostate cancer research.

Since Oct. 1, and continuing through Jan. 1, Gloucester Police officers will be allowed to grow neatly trimmed beards and facial hair — normally prohibited under department policy — in exchange for a $100 donation to prostate cancer research. Women in the department will also join in the effort by dying a streak of their hair a different color.

Now in its fifth year, the Gloucester Police Department’s “Growing Hair Because We Care” donation drive will support the Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s prostate cancer research work. In past year, the drives have raised thousands of dollars for causes including breast cancer and pediatric cancer research, the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Special Olympics.

“I’m so proud of our officers for continuing to enthusiastically support this tradition,” Chief McCarthy said. “Through this effort, the Gloucester Police Department has already made some great contributions to important causes, and we’re looking forward to once again supporting a lifesaving cause in a fun, noticeable way.”

Gloucester residents can also show their support for “Growing Hair Because We Care” by matching officers’ donations, and will be invited to participate in an online auction to win a chance to shave an officer at the end of the donation drive.

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City of Gloucester to Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary

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City of Gloucester to Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary

GLOUCESTER — Fire Chief Eric Smith and Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken announce that the Gloucester Fire Department and the City of Gloucester will conduct a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony next month to mark the 17th anniversary of the attacks.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Sept. 11

9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Remembrance Ceremony)

WHERE:

Gloucester Fire Department, 8 School St. (9/11 Remembrance Ceremony)

Gloucester City Hall, 9 Dale Ave. (Gathering following ceremony)

WHAT:

Gloucester firefighters, police officers, veterans and members of the United States Coast Guard will honor all who perished on 9/11 at New York’s World Trade Center, The Pentagon and in western Pennsylvania. The ceremony will also pay tribute to the members of the armed forces who have given their lives in the ongoing war on terror.

Immediately following the ceremony, a gathering for the community will take place at Gloucester City Hall. Refreshments will be provided, and there will be a commemorative display honoring 9/11 victims.

“With each passing year, it becomes all the more important for us gather and remember the thousands of civilians who were taken from us on 9/11, as well as the police officers, firefighters and soldiers who gave their lives in service to their fellow Americans both on that day and in the years since,” Mayor Theken said.

All are invited and encouraged to attend to observe this solemn occasion.

“The civilians and first responders we lost on 9/11 were the first casualties in the war on terror that has claimed thousands more American lives in the 17 years since that day,” Chief Smith. “I want to invite the entire community to join us in collectively remembering their sacrifice and honoring their memory.”

 

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