Rockland Fire Department

Rockland Fire Department Offers Hot Weather Safety Tips Ahead of Potential Heat Wave

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Rockland Fire Department
Chief Scott Duffey
360 Union St.,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Fire Department Offers Hot Weather Safety Tips Ahead of Potential Heat Wave

ROCKLAND — As the hottest weeks of summer approach, Chief Scott Duffey would like to remind Rockland residents to take safety precautions during their summer activities, especially those that take place outdoors.

“We ask residents to check on their neighbors who are elderly or disabled and may not have air conditioning during this heat wave,” Chief Duffey said. “If necessary, we will be opening a cooling center in town for those who want to get out of the heat.”

The National Weather Service is expecting temperatures to reach into the 90s throughout the weekend in Rockland.

To prevent illness and injuries, the Rockland Fire Department recommends the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council:

Heat Safety Tips:

  • Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70 degree day.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, like water.
  • Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
  • If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
  • Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m.
  • Postpone outdoor games and activities if the temperature is too hot.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  • Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
  • Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
  • Learn to recognize and treat heat illnesses.

Tips for Parents: 

  • Limit playtime at peak sun exposure time and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat illnesses.
  • Avoid burns. If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for your child’s bare skin.

If deemed necessary by town officials, Rockland will open cooling locations for residents to seek relief during extreme heat.

To learn more about summer safety, visit the American Red Cross or National Safety Council websites.

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Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rockland Lifeguards Undergo Lifesaving Training with Rockland Fire Department

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Wednesday, July 3, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Lifeguards Undergo Lifesaving Training with Rockland Fire Department

ROCKLAND — Rockland Youth Commission (RYC) Director Jeanne Blaney and Chief Scott Duffey are pleased to announce that the Hartsuff Park Pond lifeguards underwent training with the assistance of the Rockland Fire Department earlier this week.

On Monday, July 1, four lifeguards that work at Hartsuff Park Pond participated in several simulated rescue scenarios, including a drowning scenario, a simulation of someone with a spinal injury in the water and situations dealing with conscious and unconscious victims. RYC staff members also participated in the training.

Hartsuff Park Pond is open to the public for swimming throughout the summer and is used by the Rockland Youth Commission’s Summer Program. The Summer Program sees over 100 kids swim in the pond each week. The pond is open for swimming seven days a week, weather pending, and has lifeguards on duty from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“With so many kids swimming and playing around the pond throughout the summer, this type of training is vitally important to our lifeguards,” Director Blaney said. “We want to make sure that all of our lifeguards stay sharp on their lifesaving skills in the event of a rescue. I would like to thank Chief Duffey and the Rockland Fire Department for assisting us with the training this week. Their input is extremely important and I think our lifeguards learned a lot.”

Members of the Rockland Fire Department provided feedback about what things the lifeguards did well and gave them recommendations about what techniques and practices they could work on.

“This training is something that our department assists with each year and the lifeguards that work at the pond are always very eager to participate and learn,” Chief Duffey said. “In addition to getting feedback, it is also important for the lifeguards to know and understand our procedures and protocols in the event of a water emergency, and vice versa.”

During the exercises, one of the lifeguards would simulate being a victim in the water in need of rescue. The lifeguards on shore each took turns rescuing the individual, pulling them to shore and then practicing CPR on a dummy provided by the fire department. The lifeguards and/or RYC staff would simulate calling 911 and working with fire department personnel to provide them vital information about the incident while the victim was transported to an ambulance.

The lifeguards undergo similar training exercises on their own throughout the summer and will be training again on Wednesday.

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Rockland Police and Fire Departments Respond After Man Allegedly Pushed Car into Pond

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Tuesday, July 2, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Police and Fire Departments Respond After Man Allegedly Pushed Car into Pond

ROCKLAND — Police Chief John Llewellyn and Fire Chief Scott Duffey report that the Rockland Police and Fire Departments responded to Reed’s Pond Tuesday morning after a man allegedly purposefully pushed his vehicle into the water.

At approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Rockland Police and Fire Department personnel responded to Reed’s Pond, also known as Studleys Pond, off Market Street for a report of a vehicle in the water.

Upon arrival, officers located a Honda Accord that was fully submerged underwater.

Because it was unknown at the time if anyone was inside of the vehicle, a team of divers from Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team was called to the scene. The divers determined that the vehicle was empty and they subsequently assisted a tow company with removing the car from the pond.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

The initial investigation indicates that a 32-year-old Malden man drove his car to a ramp leading into the water, put the car in neutral and then pushed the car into the pond.

The man is known to police and was located walking down Plain Street a short time after the incident. The man was transported to a local hospital to undergo a mental health evaluation.

While on scene at the pond, police discovered that the man had allegedly damaged a wall in a nearby cemetery with his vehicle prior to pushing it into the pond.

The man will be issued a citation for Leaving the Scene of Property Damage Over $1,500. He will be issued a summons to appear in court at a later date.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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Rockland Police and Fire Departments Offer Summer Road Safety Tips

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Monday, June 24, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Police and Fire Departments Offer Summer Road Safety Tips

ROCKLAND — As summer begins and with school now out of session, Police Chief John Llewellyn and Fire Chief Scott Duffey would like to remind drivers to share the road and remain attentive while driving.

As people enjoy their summer activities, more bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians will be outside. In addition, with many schools out for the summer, kids are playing outside and near the roadways.

To prevent accidents and injuries, the Rockland Police and Fire Departments recommend the following safety tips:

Driving Safety Tips:

  • Watch for pedestrians everywhere, at all times of the day.
  • Avoid distracted driving and never use your cell phone or mobile device while driving.
  • Yield to bicyclists as you would to a motor vehicle. Do not underestimate their speed, especially when making a turn that crosses their path.
  • Be cautious at parking lots, stop signs, when backing up and when parking. Watch for other vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists at these times.
  • Be cautious at night and during inclement weather when visibility may be poor.
  • Be cautious at crosswalks. Slow down and prepare to stop when turning or nearing a crosswalk. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Stop a safe distance away from the crosswalk to give other vehicles ample time to see the pedestrians that are crossing so that they can also stop. Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk.
  • Follow slower speed limits in neighborhoods with signage that children are present.
  • Drivers turning right on red need to look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist that may be approaching from the right rear. Stop completely, look left-right-left and behind, and then turn right on red.
  • Give cyclists extra space. Do not pass them too closely.
  • Bicycles and motorcycles can be difficult to spot because of their smaller profiles and because drivers are conditioned to look for other cars, not cyclists.
  • Remember that motorcyclists have the same privileges as other drivers. Be sure to give riders a full lane of travel, and always keep a close watch for motorcyclists — especially at intersections and on highways. Sport utility vehicles, delivery vans, and large trucks may block motorcyclists from your view.
  • Anticipate a motorcyclist’s maneuvers. A piece of road debris that poses no threat to a car may be deadly for a motorcyclist. Predict evasive moves a motorcyclist might take by always being aware of your surroundings. Also, don’t follow motorcycles too closely. Allow enough room for the motorcyclist to take evasive actions.
  • Drivers must always be aware of their surroundings. Remember: Check twice, save a life.
  • Yield to emergency vehicles with lights and sirens  on. Pull over as far as possible.
  • When approaching emergency vehicles, SLOW DOWN and MOVE OVER.

Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety:

Motorcyclists and bicyclists are also reminded to take safety precautions. These include:

  • Making your presence known to drivers by wearing an appropriate helmet and contrasting clothing or reflective gear
  • Avoiding riding in a driver’s blind spot
  • Being cautious of cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in a parking lot
  • Using proper turn signals
  • Always following the rules of the road.

As always, the Rockland Police and Fire Departments hope everyone has a safe, healthy and happy summertime!

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