newburyport fire department

Newburyport Fire Department Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Area

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Newburyport Fire Department
Christopher LeClaire, Fire Chief
3 Greenleaf St.
Newburyport, MA 01950

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Newburyport Fire Department Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Area

Newburyport’s Current Risk Level is “Low”

NEWBURYPORT — Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Christopher LeClaire would like to offer safety tips regarding avoiding mosquito bites after multiple towns in Essex County have confirmed that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus was found in mosquito samples.

Recently, mosquitoes from Andover, Boxford and Methuen have tested positive for the virus.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 or over 50 years of age are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

“Although mosquitoes in Newburyport have not tested positive for EEE, we would still like to offer residents some tips to avoid being exposed to the virus,” Chief LeClaire said. “City officials will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates to residents as needed.”

Chief LeClaire recommends the following safety precautions offered by the MDPH to protect yourself and your loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
  • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
  • Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

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Newburyport Fire Department Responds to Multi-Alarm Fire on High Street

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Newburyport Fire Department
Christopher LeClaire, Fire Chief
3 Greenleaf St.
Newburyport, MA 01950

For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 14, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Newburyport Fire Department Responds to Multi-Alarm Fire on High Street

Firefighters from over a dozen communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire responded to a four-alarm fire on High Street in Newburyport. (Courtesy Photo Newburyport Fire Department)

NEWBURYPORT – Chief Christopher LeClaire reports that the Newburyport Fire Department responded to a four-alarm fire this afternoon.

At 2:29 p.m., Newburyport firefighters were dispatched to 155 High St. for a report of a fire. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy fire showing on the second floor of the wood-frame structure and struck a second alarm before eventually escalating it to a fourth alarm.

Heavy fire engulfed the second and third floors of the building, but was eventually brought under control. The fire partially extended to a neighboring structure before it was put out.

There were no reports of injuries to occupants or firefighters.

Firefighters from Salisbury, Amesbury, Newbury, West Newbury, Merrimac, Byfield and Rowley, as well as Seabrook, Exeter, Hampton, Kingston, Portsmouth and the Seacoast Chief Fire Officers Mutual Aid District Air Trailer were all on scene providing mutual aid.

The North Hampton, Groveland, Hampton Falls and Seabrook Fire Departments provided station coverage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Newburyport Firefighters Deliver Baby Boy at Fire Station

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Newburyport Fire Department
Christopher LeClaire, Fire Chief
3 Greenleaf St.
Newburyport, MA 01950

For Immediate Release

Friday, Jan. 12, 2018

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

Newburyport Firefighters Deliver Baby Boy at Fire Station

NEWBURYPORT — Chief Christopher LeClaire reports that three members of the Newburyport Fire Department helped deliver a baby Thursday afternoon at Station 2.

At approximately noon on Jan. 11, a Haverhill man pulled into the parking lot of Station 2, 153 Storey Avenue, honking his car horn.

Humphrey Matombo told firefighters that his wife was in labor in the vehicle and that they were not going to make it to the hospital in time before the baby was born. Firefighters observed that the baby’s head was crowning.

Firefighters Robert Morse, John Stomboly and Joshua Mesina jumped into action and delivered her baby boy, assisting the baby with taking his first breath.

Paramedics Mike Gallant, Bob Piepiora and Keith Gauvreau and EMT Chris Slavit, of Atlantic Ambulance Service, took the mother and her baby boy to Anna Jaques Hospital.

Mother Memory Chihwayi and baby Jayden were doing well in the hospital Friday afternoon and are both healthy. Jayden Matombo was born weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces.

“This was the first time any of these three firefighters have delivered a baby while on duty at the fire department,” Chief LeClaire said. “This was truly outstanding work by our guys and something I’m sure they will always remember.”

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Newburyport Fire Department Extinguishes Boat Fire at Cashman Park

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Newburyport Fire Department
Christopher LeClaire, Fire Chief
3 Greenleaf St.
Newburyport, MA 01950

For Immediate Release

Friday, May 19, 2017

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

Newburyport Fire Department Extinguishes Boat Fire at Cashman Park

NEWBURYPORT– Chief Christopher LeClaire reports that the Newburyport Fire Department extinguished a boat fire today at Cashman Park.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., the fire department received multiple 911 calls about a boat on fire at the launch ramp at Cashman Park on Sally Snyder Way.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met with heavy smoke and flames, which had engulfed the 1988 Hydra-Sports boat.

The owner, a man from Seabrook, had the 25-foot fiber glass boat attached to a U-Haul truck and trailer, and was attempting to put it in the water. However, when he started the second engine, the area by the battery caught fire.

Using an extinguisher on board the boat, the Seabrook man attempted to put out the fire, but given its location, was unable to reach the flames.

Newburyport’s Engine 1 and Engine 2 used three attack lines, one of which contained foam, to knock down the fire. The Salisbury Fire Department also arrived on scene to assist with overhaul. Crews cleared the scene around 10 a.m.

The Seabrook man was evaluated and treated on scene by Atlantic Ambulance. No other injuries were reported.

The boat, which was insured, was completely destroyed and towed from the scene. Both the U-Haul and trailer did not sustain any damage.

“Unfortunately, this man lost his boat today, but thankfully no one was seriously injured,” Chief LeClaire said. “The man did the right thing by backing off and calling for help once he realized the fire was beyond his control. A quick response and aggressive attack by our personnel contained this incident and kept the fire from spreading.”

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