Shrewsbury Fire

Shrewsbury Fire Department Honors Firefighters at Awards and Recognition Night

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Fire Department Honors Firefighters at Awards and Recognition Night

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona is pleased to announce that the Shrewsbury Fire Department hosted its annual Awards and Recognition Night earlier this week.

On Monday, July 22, the Shrewsbury Fire Department, along with community leaders, came together to honor its members for their achievements both over the course of the last year, and throughout their careers.

Firefighter Michael Borowiec earned the department’s 2018 Outstanding Firefighter Award in recognition of his work on a variety of grant applications. He’s helped secure funding to support the purchase of new gear extractors that are specifically designed to wash gear and remove contaminants linked to occupational cancers.

He’s also worked on staffing and equipment grants, as well as a HazMat Grant to support enhanced training and equipment for the department.

“Michael has played a critical role in helping us secure key funding that makes our department stronger and our firefighters — and community as a whole — more safe,” Chief Vuona said. “He’s made numerous tangible and intangible contributions to our department over the last year, and he’s extraordinarily deserving of this honor.”

Deputy Chief Bruce Card was recognized with an Achievement Award for his sustained commitment to the department for nearly five decades, beginning with his days as a 15-year-old call firefighter who responded to calls on his bicycle, all the way to today. As the department’s first deputy chief, Card has spearheaded Shrewsbury’s fire prevention program and served as the architect of the current fire prevention program. He’s also served as a mentor to newly-named Deputy Chief Seth Colby.

“Bruce has been a model of consistency and stability for our department for 47 years,” Chief Vuona said. “He’s our go-to guy for all things related to fire prevention, and he has really gone above and beyond to ensure that our fire prevention program is everything that it can be and more.”

The department also presented an Achievement Award to Firefighter David Hodgerney, who is set to retire on Sept. 15 following 32 years of service. For more than 20 years, Firefighter Hodgerney has led the department’s Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program, attending trainings and participating in school events. He founded Shrewsbury’s S.A.F.E. program and was the department’s first Certified Fire Public Educator.

“Our education program would not be what it is today without Dave’s leadership and determination,” Chief Vuona said. “He’s laid the foundation for future generations of Shrewsbury firefighters to build upon, and we’re grateful for his service and wish him nothing but the best in retirement.”

State Rep. Hannah Kane attended Monday’s ceremony, along with numerous members of the Shrewsbury Fire Department, to pay tribute to the honorees and congratulate new call/volunteer members and newly-promoted members of the department.

Capt. Shaun Weigold and Deputy Chief Colby were formally promoted at Monday’s ceremony, while Call Firefighters Owen Bouffard, Steven Ebers, Michael Filiere, Connor Jordan and Alex Milosz were officially welcomed as members of the Shrewsbury Fire Department. In addition, Firefighter Christopher White was sworn in as Shrewsbury’s newest full-time firefighter.

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Shrewsbury Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire Caused by Lightning Strike

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire Caused by Lightning Strike

The Shrewsbury Fire Department extinguished a fire Wednesday afternoon that is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. (Courtesy Photo)

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona reports that the Shrewsbury Fire Department responded to a home Wednesday afternoon after a fire was ignited by what is believed to be a lightning strike.

At 3:37 p.m., Shrewsbury Firefighters were dispatched to 37 Appaloosa Drive for a report of smoke coming from the home’s roof. Upon arrival, first responders confirmed the presence of flames in the attack and — along with additional responding firefighters — initiated an internal attack. Crews later made an external attack by cutting a hole in the roof.

Firefighters observed a portion of the roof that appeared to have been struck by lightning, and have identified the lightning strike as the likely cause of the fire.

he Shrewsbury Fire Department was assisted on-scene by crews from the Boylston and Westborough Fire Departments.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, though the family was displaced due to the incident.

The last firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 10:10 p.m.

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Shrewsbury Fire Department Recruits Complete Training Program

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 28, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Fire Department Recruits Complete Training Program

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona is pleased to announce that five Shrewsbury Fire Department call firefighters completed their fire academy training earlier this week.

On Wednesday, June 26, five members of the Shrewsbury Fire Department successfully completed the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program. The ceremony was held the Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow.

Connor Jordan, Alex Milosz, Steven Ebers, Michael Filiere and Owen Bouffard represented Shrewsbury Fire in the graduating class.

“Each of these new firefighters underwent extensive training and I’m confident that they’ll arrive ready to respond to any calls that come in and make immediate contributions to our department,” Chief Vuona said. “I want to congratulate each of them for completing this rigorous program, and I’m looking forward to the service they’ll provide to our community.”

At the ceremony, the new members were honored and recognized by State Sen. Michael Moore and Selectman John Samia. All five Shrewsbury Fire recruits aspire to become full-time members of the department once they become eligible.

The Call/Volunteer program is unique in the way that it delivers traditional firefighter recruit training, meeting national standards, through coursework that’s completed exclusively on nights and weekends — better accommodating part-time firefighters from suburban and rural communities.

In addition, the Call/Volunteer program offers coursework both online and in-person, better enabling them to complete their hands-on training to ensure they are as prepared as possible for the diverse responsibilities they will face as call firefighters.

To graduate, participants must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, pump operation and fire attack. Recruits also conduct extensive training in areas unrelated to fire, including responding to medical emergencies, motor vehicle crashes and more.

Upon their graduation, all five Shrewsbury Fire recruits are now eligible to earn their Firefighter I and II certifications, as well as certification as Hazardous Materials First Responders on the Operational Level.

The Shrewsbury Fire Department graduates were among a class of 36 graduates from 16 departments, including Ashburnham, Avon, Dudley, Hardwick, Littleton, Mendon, Millville, North Brookfield, Oxford, Sherborn, Spencer, Templeton, Townsend, Upton and Weston.

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Shrewsbury Fire Department Offers Hurricane Safety Tips

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Shrewsbury Fire Department
James Vuona, Fire Chief
11 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 10, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: [email protected]

Shrewsbury Fire Department Offers Hurricane Safety Tips

SHREWSBURY — Chief James Vuona and Emergency Management Director Steve Rocco are recommending a series of precautions this Atlantic Hurricane Season in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season began on Saturday, June 1 and will end on November 30. Historically, hurricanes and tropical storms in August and September have had the greatest impact on New England communities.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a near normal hurricane season this year, which would produce between nine and 15 storms. Between two and four of those storms are predicted to be major hurricanes.

“Creating an emergency plan, assembling an emergency kit and signing up for emergency alerts doesn’t take a lot of time, but it does make a huge difference in the event of a major storm,” Chief Vuona said. “There is a lot to account for in a hurricane, from severe wind to flooding, and having a plan is important.”

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has several safety tips for residents in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm in our area:

  • Stay informed by signing up for emergency alerts.
  • Develop a family emergency plan by establishing meeting locations, creating an emergency contact plan, planning how to evacuate and learning how to shelter in place. Practice your plan with your entire family, and make sure the plan accounts for individuals who have access needs, seniors, children and pets.
  • Acquaint yourself with the emergency plans at places where your family spends considerable time, such as your workplace or your children’s school.
  • Those receiving medical treatment or home health services can work with a medical provider to learn how to maintain care in the event of a hurricane that requires evacuation.
  • Create an emergency kit. Individuals with young children should pack necessities such as diapers, wipes, formula and baby food. Those with pets should pack a collar, leash, harness, crate, food, bowls, current photo, license and medical information.
  • Maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check their batteries.
  • Contemplate purchasing a generator. If you do, be sure to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions to use it safely. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage or with the exhaust facing the home or home air intakes.
  • Take photos or videos of your possessions to create a record for insurance purposes.
  • Prepare your home if a storm is coming by securing outdoor objects, clearing rain gutters, covering windows with shutters or plywood (do not use tape), turn off propane tanks that aren’t being used, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, clear nearby catch basins, park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood, and remove any boats from the water.
  • Do not go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.

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