power outage

Bedford, N.H. Police Provide Storm Update

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Bedford Police Department
John J. Bryfonski, Chief of Police
55 Constitution Drive
Bedford, NH 03110

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Bedford, N.H. Police Provide Storm Update

Trick-or-Treating Postponed to Nov. 5

BEDFORD, N.H. — Chief John J. Bryfonski and the Bedford Police Department seek to provide members of the public with an update on the conditions in town and the repair/clean-up efforts underway.

Bedford was hit hard by the overnight storm on Sunday. As a result, the Town of Bedford has postponed the official trick-or-treating day and time to Sunday, Nov. 5 from 2-6 p.m.

“It was deemed necessary to postpone trick-or-treating in order to ensure the safety of the children and families in our community as work crews perform their vital work,” Chief Bryfonski said.

Portions of the following roads remain closed Tuesday:

  • Oak Drive by #3
  • Old English Road by #11
  • Ministerial Road by #65
  • Ministerial Road by Chandler Road
  • McAllister Road by #28
  • Forest Drive by #80
  • Constance Street between #22-44
  • Buttonwood by Deacon
  • Barrington Drive
  • Meadowcrest Drive by #63
  • Pinecrest Drive by #54

NOTE: THIS LIST OF CONDITIONS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Chief Bryfonski urges residents who do not need to be on the roads to keep the streets clear to help crews work unabated. If you must be on the roads, use extreme caution.

Electrical hazards remain in town, and all residents and motorists are cautioned to avoid live or downed wires, even if you suspect the wires are cable or telephone lines. Downed wires pose hazards to all, and town crews must be assisted by Eversource on-site before final cleanups can be completed. Always keep a safe distance from downed wires.

Generator Safety

Approximately 15 percent of Eversource customers in Bedford remain without power at this time.

For those using generators, the Bedford Police Department urgently remind residents to use extreme caution and allow for proper ventilation. Never use a generator indoors or inside a garage. Keep generators away from HVAC air intakes.

For more generator safety tips, visit Redcross.org.

Free Drinking/Cooking Water Available 

Potable water is available at the Bedford Public Safety Complex, located at 55 Constitution Drive.

Decision on Schools Coming Wednesday Morning

The Bedford School District will inform the community as to whether or not schools will be open on Wednesday. That announcement is expected no later than 5 a.m. Wednesday.

“On behalf of the men and women of the Bedford Police Department, I wish to thank all of our residents for their patience and cooperation,” Chief Bryfonski said. “And as always, if you see something, say something.”

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Arlington Woman Injured After Falling Tree Downs Power Lines, Strikes Her

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Arlington Police Department
Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474

For Immediate Release

Monday, Feb. 13, 2017

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Large Section of Tree Falls, Downing Power Lines and Transformer and Striking Woman Walking with her Son

Arlington Woman Expected to Survive, Child Not Injured

A 29-year-old Arlington woman walked away with a non life-threatening head injury after a tree bough, power transformer, live wires, and utility pole fell around her in quick succession Monday afternoon. (Arlington Police Courtesy Photo)
Electric service was lost in the immediate area, but utility crews were on scene making repairs within an hour. (Arlington Police Courtesy Photo)

ARLINGTON — Police Chief Frederick Ryan reports that the Arlington Police and Fire Departments responded Monday afternoon after a large portion of a tree fell, downing power lines and striking a woman who was walking with her young son.

At approximately 3:08 p.m., the Arlington Police Department was notified about a tree limb that had fallen in the area of Bellevue Road and Morton Road in Arlington. First arriving units found that a massive bough from a fork-shaped tree had fallen, causing a utility pole and a power transformer to crash onto the ground.

Witnesses at the scene told police that a woman had been injured, and rescuers soon found a 29-year-old Arlington woman and her 3-year-old son. The mother was complaining of a head injury and was treated by the Arlington Fire Department. She was taken by Armstrong Ambulance to a local hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. The child was not injured.

One vehicle was also damaged in the fall, and electrical service was cut off to the neighborhood. Eversource Electric responded to affect repairs.

Examining the scene, Chief Ryan concluded that it was extremely lucky that the woman and her child were not more seriously injured or killed.

“We are very thankful that this situation did not turn into a tragedy. This resident and her young child were standing amidst live electrical lines, heavy tree branches, a utility pole, and a power transformer, which all fell around her,” Chief Ryan said. “We wish her the best for a speedy recovery, but all things considered she was tremendously lucky.”

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Groveland Police and Fire Offer Hurricane and Power Outage Safety Tips

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Groveland Police Department
Robert Kirmelewicz, Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

Groveland Fire Department
Robert B. Lay, Fire Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

*Joint Press Release*

Groveland Police and Fire Offer Hurricane Safety Tips

GROVELAND — Because Massachusetts is in the middle of hurricane season, Police Chief Robert Kirmelewicz and Fire Chief Robert Lay ask that the community prepare for the possibility of a dangerous storm.

Severe weather, like a hurricane or tropical storm, which the state is at risk of receiving until November 30, brings heavy rain and strong winds. This can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris and floods that often block roads and repair vehicles, prolonging damage.

Chief Kirmelewicz and Chief Lay ask that all residents follow the tips outlined by the Massachusetts Emergency Agency (MEMA) — a state-run organization tasked with preparing the commonwealth for natural and man-made disasters — to prepare for long-term power outages.

“Although hurricanes are rare in our area, we must be prepared for any circumstance,”Chief Kirmelewickz said. “We want our residents to be safe at all times.”

• Check flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working.
—- A radio is an important source of weather and emergency information during a storm.
—- Use flashlights for lighting, not candles which can be a fire hazard.

• Fully charge your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.

• If you own a car, make sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel.  Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.

• Ensure that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages.

• Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
—- Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).

• If you have life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) that depend on electricity, contact your local electric company about your power needs in advance of an emergency. Some utility companies will put you on a “priority reconnection service” list.
—- Talk to your equipment suppliers about your power options
—- Let the fire department know that you are dependent on life-support devices.

“During an emergency we will make it a priority to assist those most in need,” Chief Lay said. “Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you or a loved one is on a life-support device.”

MEMA suggests purchasing a generator to maintain electricity despite an outage. Generators should always be kept outside since they admit carbon monoxide fumes that can quickly accumulate if indoors.

It is also important that citizens avoid plugging a generator directly into household wiring, a process known as “backfeeding.” Doing so puts utility workers or any neighbors served by the same transformer at risk of electrocution.

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Gloucester Police Provide Safety Tips for Hurricane Season

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Gloucester Police Department
Leonard Campanello, Chief of Police
197 Main St.
Gloucester , MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 21, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Gloucester Police Provide Safety Tips for Hurricane Season

GLOUCESTER — With hurricane season still in full effect, Police Chief Leonard Campanello and the Gloucester Police Department ask that residents prepare themselves for weather-related emergencies.

Weather events, like a severe thunderstorm, hurricane or tropical storm, which the state is most at risk of receiving until November 30, bring heavy rain and strong winds, which can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris, and floods that often block roads and repair vehicles, prolonging damage.

Chief Campanello urges all residents to follow tips outlined by the Massachusetts Emergency Agency (MEMA) — a state-run organization tasked with preparing the commonwealth for natural and man-made disasters — to prepare for long-term power outages.

“We never want our residents to be in a situation where they are in their homes without power for long periods of time and do not have the needed resources to weather a storm,” Chief Campanello said. “Please do all you can to protect yourself this season.”

  • Check flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working.
    —- A radio is an important source of weather and emergency information during a storm.
    —- Use flashlights for lighting, not candles which can be a fire hazard.
  • Fully charge your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
  • If you own a car, make sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel.  Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.
  • Ensure that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages.
  • Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
    —- Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).
  • If you have life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) that depend on electricity, contact your local electric company about your power needs in advance of an emergency. Some utility companies will put you on a “priority reconnection service” list.
    —- Talk to your equipment suppliers about your power options
    —- Let the fire department know that you are dependent on life-support devices.

MEMA suggests purchasing a generator to maintain electricity despite an outage. Generators should always be kept outside since they admit carbon monoxide fumes that can quickly accumulate if indoors.

It is also important that citizens avoid plugging a generator directly into household wiring, a process known as “backfeeding.” Doing so puts utility workers or any neighbors served by the same transformer at risk of electrocution.

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