Rockland Fire Department

Rockland Fire Department Warns Residents About Unsafe Ice Conditions

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , ⋅ 0 Comments

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019

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

Rockland Fire Department Warns Residents About Unsafe Ice Conditions

ROCKLAND — With multiple ice rescues in the state yesterday, Chief Scott Duffey would like to warn Rockland residents to avoid unsafe ice conditions and remind people that ice rinks are the only places considered safe to skate.

Though temperatures have been on the colder side recently, Rockland officials warn that at this time it has not been cold enough for long enough to make it safe to walk, skate or fish on the ice in any waterway in Rockland.

As a policy, the Rockland Fire Department does not certify whether any bodies of water are safe to use for recreational purposes. Those who do choose to go out on ice should stay away from all ice in the area of open water, flowing water or where the ice looks slushy or thin. 

Chief Duffey and the Rockland Fire Department offer the following general ice safety guidelines to all residents:

Thin Ice:

The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs says ice should always be measured in multiple places before testing it with your weight. Ice 2 inches thick or less should be avoided completely.

Ice with a depth of 4 inches or more is considered safe for ice fishing or other activities on foot. Five inches of ice is recommended for snowmobiles or ATVs. Eight to 12 inches is necessary for a small car, while 12 to 15 inches of ice is necessary for trucks.

General Ice and Cold Water Safety:

  • Never go onto ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you or go for help if you fall through the ice.
  • Always keep your pets on a leash. If a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 instead.
  • New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As the ice ages, the bond between the crystals decay, making it weaker, even if melting has not occurred.
  • Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong, but can also insulate it to keep it from freezing.
  • Slush is a danger sign, indicating that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and can be weak or deteriorating.
  • Ice formed over flowing water (rivers or lakes containing a large number of springs) is generally weaker than pond ice.
  • Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be one foot thick in one spot and be only 1 inch thick 10 feet away.

What To Do If Someone Falls Through Ice:

  • Reach-Throw-Go: If someone falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, try to throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.) If this does not work, call 911 and get away from the ice before you also become a victim. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
  • If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once out, remain lying on the ice (do not stand) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back to your tracks, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice.

###

Rockland Fourth Grader’s Heroic Actions Honored by Police and Fire Departments

⋅ Client News, Fire News, Police News, School News ⋅ , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019

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

Rockland Fourth Grader’s Heroic Actions Honored by Police and Fire Departments

ROCKLAND — Principal Marilyn Smith is pleased to announce that a fourth grade student at the Stewart Esten Elementary School in Rockland was honored yesterday for his heroic efforts in calling 911 when his sister was having a medical emergency.

Joshua Joseph was recognized as a Rockland Hero by the Rockland Police Department and Rockland Fire Department and was awarded two plaques by the departments to commemorate his quick and life saving actions.

On Dec. 9, Joseph was being babysat along with his sister by their grandmother, when his 6-year-old sister began to suffer a medical episode. 

Joseph’s grandmother does not speak English, so the fourth grader took it upon himself to call 911 and speak to the dispatcher who was able to get emergency personnel to their home to assist his sister. Joseph stayed on the phone with the dispatcher until medical personnel arrived. She was taken to the hospital and has since been released and is now doing okay.

Joshua’s mother believes that her son’s actions may have saved his sister’s life. On Tuesday, Joseph was recognized at an assembly in front of the entire Esten School. His mother, father and grandmother were also in attendance.

Members of the police and fire departments, including Fire Chief Scott Duffey and Police Lieutenant Nicholas Zeoli, shook Joseph’s hand and commended him on a job well done.

“What an inspiring message to show to all of our students, that if someone is in need of help, you jump into action and try your best to help,” Principal Smith said. “We are all so proud of Joshua and it was really great to see him be recognized for his actions.”

###

*UPDATED* Rockland Firefighters Rescue Two from Two-Alarm House Fire

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, Nov. 16, 2018

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

*UPDATED*

VIDEO: Rockland Firefighters Rescue Two from Two-Alarm House Fire

ROCKLAND — Chief Scott Duffey reports that the Rockland Fire Department rescued two residents, ages 16 and 19, from a third floor apartment during a two-alarm house fire Friday morning.

The Rockland Fire Department responded at approximately 8:30 a.m. Friday after receiving a call for a house fire at a multi-family home at 77 Division St.

Upon arrival, firefighters saw a 16-year-old girl yelling for help from a third floor window as heavy smoke billowed out.

Rockland firefighters quickly sprang into action and put a ladder up to the window. The firefighters climbed the ladder and were able to help the girl out of the window and onto the ladder. The girl climbed down to safety with the assistance of the firefighters.

Inside the building, firefighters entered the third floor apartment where they found a 19-year-old woman who had been trying to locate the door, but was unable to do so because of the thick smoke. Firefighters helped the woman out of the apartment and to safety outside.

Both residents were taken by Rockand Fire Department ambulance to South Shore Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. They are expected to fully recover.

“Thanks to the quick actions of our firefighters we were able to get these two girls to safety. The apartment was full of smoke by the time we arrived and the girls were unable to get out,” Chief Duffey said. “I want to commend the brave work of the responding firefighters for the great job they did today.”

Due to personnel being utilized during the rescue efforts, Chief Duffey called for a second alarm and mutual aid from fire departments in Abington, Hanover, Whitman, Norwell, Hingham, Hanson and Randolph responded to assist on the call.

The fire is believed to have originated in the kitchen and it took firefighters about a half-hour to fully put out the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the initial investigation indicates that it is accidental.

No other occupants of the three-family home were inside at the time of the fire. Multiple dogs and birds were also rescued from the home and taken into the custody of the Rockland Animal Control Officer.

The fire was contained to the kitchen, largely due to a water pipe that had melted in the flames.

“This could have been a lot worse if that pipe had not melted,” Chief Duffey said. “The pipe acted as a sprinkler system would, keeping the flames down until we arrived on scene.”

The occupants of all three units will be displaced due to smoke and water damage throughout the building. The American Red Cross responded to provide assistance.

Chief Duffey estimated the damage to the building at $70,000.

###

Rockland Fire Department Responds to Help School Dispose of Old Chemicals

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018

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

Rockland Fire Department Responds to Help School Dispose of Science Classroom’s Old Chemicals

ROCKLAND — Chief Scott Duffey reports that the Rockland Fire Department responded to a local school after a teacher found an old jar of sodium while cleaning a cabinet in a science classroom at the North River Collaborative School Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., Rockland Firefighters responded to the school, located at 525 Beech St., after receiving a call from a science teacher who was cleaning out his classroom to prepare for the upcoming school year. Upon arrival, firefighters located a cardboard box inside of a filing cabinet. Inside the box were multiple containers and jars containing a variety of leftover chemicals and substances from old science experiments. The Rockland Police Department also responded to assist.

Based on the appearance of the box and jars, administrators concluded that the chemicals were several years old and likely had been there for years or decades.

School was not in session at the time and there was no immediate threat to the public.

A two-pound jar of sodium was determined to be a potential safety hazard and a Tier 1 Hazardous Materials Response (lowest tier) was triggered. A regional hazardous materials response team was called to investigate.

The HazMat crew subsequently determined that the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad should be notified. The bomb squad came to the school and took the sodium to the Rockland recycling center where it was rendered safe.

None of the materials had leaked or spilled inside the box and would not necessarily have posed a threat if left undisturbed. Out of an abundance of caution, the other chemicals in the box will be safely disposed of by a private company hired by the school.

“HazMat teams exist to provide for the safest possible mitigation of unwanted substances and chemicals. They are the professionals, and I want to acknowledge the faculty and administration of the North River Collaborative for making the correct call and notifying the fire department about these chemicals,” Chief Duffey said. “While a regional response brings a lot of vehicles and personnel to a location, today’s operation was conducted in an orderly and efficient manner.”

No one was hurt during today’s response.

North River Collaborative (NRC) is an educational organization formed in 1976 to serve the school districts of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater-Raynham, East Bridgewater, Hanover, Rockland, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman-Hanson and has a board of directors comprised of members elected from each member district’s school committee. The school provides programs to more than 200 students with disabilities from ages 3 to 22 from the member districts and surrounding communities.The Collaborative also provides specialized services including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy to more than 800 students in those communities.

###

1 2